How Canadians Govern Themselves

Exam-focused notes based on the Canada Official Guide, Pages 28-29.

The 3 Key Facts to Remember

1. Federal State

Power is shared between federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments.

2. Parliamentary Democracy

People elect representatives who make laws, approve spending and hold government accountable.

3. Constitutional Monarchy

The Sovereign is Head of State; the Prime Minister is Head of Government.

1. Federal State

Canada has federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments.

Constitution Act, 1867: The responsibilities of the federal and provincial governments were defined in 1867 in the British North America Act, now known as the Constitution Act, 1867.

Federal Government - Main Responsibilities

  • National defence
  • Foreign policy
  • Interprovincial trade and communications
  • Currency
  • Navigation
  • Criminal law
  • Citizenship

Provincial Government - Main Responsibilities

  • Municipal government
  • Education
  • Health
  • Natural resources
  • Property and civil rights
  • Highways
Shared jurisdiction: The federal government and provinces share responsibility for agriculture and immigration.

Why Federalism Matters

Federalism allows provinces to adopt policies suited to their populations and gives them flexibility to experiment with new ideas and policies.

Provinces and Territories

  • Every province has its own elected Legislative Assembly.
  • The three northern territories are not provinces, but their governments and assemblies perform many of the same functions.

2. Parliamentary Democracy

Canadians elect members to the House of Commons in Ottawa and to provincial and territorial legislatures.

Representatives

Pass laws and approve and monitor government expenditures.

Accountability

Representatives keep the government accountable.

Confidence of the House

Cabinet ministers must retain the confidence of the House.
Non-confidence vote: If the government is defeated in a non-confidence vote, Cabinet ministers must resign.

Parliament Has 3 Parts

PartKey Point
SovereignThe Queen or King; a constitutional part of Parliament.
SenateReviews bills. Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and serve until age 75.
House of CommonsRepresentative chamber made up of elected Members of Parliament.

Prime Minister & Cabinet

  • The Prime Minister selects Cabinet ministers.
  • The Prime Minister is responsible for government operations and policy.
  • The House of Commons is traditionally elected every four years.

How a Bill Becomes Law

1
First Reading - The bill is considered read for the first time and printed.
2
Second Reading - Members debate the bill's principle.
3
Committee Stage - A committee studies the bill clause by clause.
4
Report Stage - Members can make other amendments.
5
Third Reading - Members debate and vote on the bill.
6
Senate - The bill follows a similar process in the Senate.
7
Royal Assent - The bill receives royal assent after being passed by both Houses.
Must remember: A bill cannot become law until it has passed both chambers and received royal assent, granted by the Governor General on behalf of the Sovereign.

Voting & Democratic Participation

Canadian citizens aged 18 or more have the right and responsibility to participate in decisions that affect them by voting in federal, provincial or territorial, and municipal elections.

3. Constitutional Monarchy

Canada is a constitutional monarchy. The Head of State is a hereditary Sovereign (Queen or King) who reigns according to the Constitution and the rule of law.

Very important distinction:
Head of State -> Sovereign
Head of Government -> Prime Minister

Role of the Sovereign

  • Part of Parliament.
  • Plays an important, non-partisan role as a focus of citizenship and allegiance.
  • Symbol of Canadian sovereignty.
  • Guardian of constitutional freedoms.
  • Reflects Canada's history.
  • As Head of the Commonwealth, links Canada to 53 other nations.

Governor General

  • Represents the Sovereign in Canada.
  • Appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister.
  • Usually serves for five years.

Lieutenant Governors

  • Represent the Sovereign in each of Canada's ten provinces.
  • Appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister.
  • Normally serve for five years.
Three branches of government: Executive, Legislative and Judicial. They work together and sometimes in tension to help secure Canadians' rights and freedoms.

Provincial & Territorial Government

  • Each province and territory has an elected legislature where provincial or territorial laws are passed.
  • Members have different titles depending on the province or territory: MLA, MNA, MPP or MHA.
  • The Premier has a role similar to the Prime Minister at the provincial level.
  • The Lieutenant Governor has a role similar to the Governor General.
  • In the three territories, the Commissioner represents the federal government and has a ceremonial role.

Quick Memorization Sheet

3 systems: Federal State + Parliamentary Democracy + Constitutional Monarchy
Federal: Defence, foreign policy, currency, criminal law, citizenship
Provincial: Education, health, natural resources, highways, property & civil rights
Shared: Agriculture + immigration
Parliament: Sovereign + Senate + House of Commons
Law-making: First Reading -> Second Reading -> Committee -> Report -> Third Reading -> Senate -> Royal Assent
Head of State: Sovereign
Head of Government: Prime Minister
Federal representative of Sovereign: Governor General
Provincial representative: Lieutenant Governor
Territorial representative: Commissioner
Provincial head of government: Premier