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What kind of government do we have?

Canada is a federal state, parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy.

Federal state – We have a central government (federal) and local governments (provincial/territorial).

Parliamentary democracy – We elect members to represent us in our federal parliament and provincial legislatures, and the political party with the most elected representatives forms government.

Constitutional monarchy - Queen Elizabeth II, as Queen of Canada, is our head of state. The authority of the monarch is limited by our constitution.

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The levels of government

Canada has several levels of government and each has its own group of elected representatives.

Federal
Provincial/territorial
Local/Municipal
First Nations, Métis, and Inuit

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Federal government

The elected representative at the national level is called a Member of Parliament (MP).
There are 338 elected MPs. They make up the legislative body, which creates or enacts laws for the country.
MPs debate and pass laws in the House of Commons in Ottawa.
The leader of the government is called the prime minister.

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Provincial government

The elected representatives are called Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in Nova Scotia.
The provincial legislative body is made up of 51 MLAs.
MLAs debate and pass laws at the�House of Assembly (Province House) in Halifax.
The leader of the government�is called the premier.

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Prime Minister & Premier

At the provincial and federal level, most elected representatives are part of a political party.

The political party with the most number of elected representatives usually forms government and their leader becomes the leader of the government.

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Appointed representatives

As a constitutional monarchy, Canada’s head of state is a hereditary sovereign (queen or king) who reigns in accordance with the Constitution.

At the federal level, the sovereign is represented by the governor general (GG).

At the provincial level, the sovereign is represented by the lieutenant governor (LG).

Sovereign representatives have similar roles, such as opening and closing parliament, calling an election, and reading the throne speech.

(No similar role exists at the municipal level.)

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Municipal government

The elected representative at the municipal level is called a councillor.
The head/chair of the council is called a mayor or warden.
Municipal councils debate and pass laws for the community at the local city or town hall.
The size and structure of the council differs depending on the population it represents.

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First Nations, Métis and Inuit governments

Some First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities have their own systems of governance

These councils or governments share certain responsibilities with the provincial/territorial or federal government.

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Discussion

Which level of government is responsible for what?

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Sections 91-95, Constitution

When they chose a federal form of government, the Canadian Fathers of Confederation assigned particular responsibilities to the federal and provincial governments (outlined in Sections 91-95 of the Constitution Act).

This division of powers is based on the idea of subsidiarity, meaning that the government level closest to the issue governs it.

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Government responsibilities

Federal

Citizenship and passports

National defence

Currency

Foreign affairs and trade

Provincial

Education

Healthcare

Social services

Drivers’ licensing and highways

Municipal

Water supply and treatment

Parks and recreation

Libraries

Local police and fire services