What Type Of Government Does Canada Have?
Canada is a nation unlike any other. With its history of progress and freedom, the government of Canada has held a model of democracy that many countries around the world strive to achieve. But what type of government does Canada have?
Canada has a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary system, meaning it is led by Queen Elizabeth II and the powers of governance are ultimately derived from her and vested in a democratically elected Parliament. All Canadian governments are based on this system, whether federal, provincial, or territorial.
Canada’s federal government is comprised of three distinct branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial.
The Executive
The Executive branch is headed by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet or Ministerial team. The Prime Minister is elected by and accountable to the House of Commons and is the leader of the party that holds the most seats in the House of Commons. The Prime Minister is responsible for running the government, setting policy agendas and implementing laws.
The Legislative
The Legislative branch is composed of the Queen, Senate, and House of Commons. The Queen is the Head of State and delegated certain responsibilities while the Senate is an appointed body with the role of representing various provinces, territories and public interest groups. The House of Commons comprises elected Members of Parliament (MPs) from each of the provinces and territories who are tasked with the responsibility of legislating on behalf of their constituents.
The Judicial
The Judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court of Canada and other Federal Courts. The Supreme Court, established in 1875, is the highest court in Canada and the ultimate court of appeal. The Head of the Supreme Court is the Chief Justice of Canada and appointed by the Governor-General following an election by the House of Commons.
Canada also has a two-tiered system of government which means there are separate federal, provincial, and territorial governments. Each of these governments is responsible for certain areas and while they consult on policy matters, they remain independent of one another.
The federal government is responsible for matters of national importance such as national security and defence, foreign relations, the environment, employment insurance, citizenship and immigration. The provincial and territorial governments are responsible for matters such as health care, education, highways, social services and jails.
The structure of the Canadian government follows the principles of democracy which emphasize the importance of protecting and promoting the rights of its citizens. The government of Canada abides by several key principles such as elected representation, Westminster parliamentary system, responsible government, and the rule of law.
Canada is a nation built on democratic principles and the Canadian government exemplifies those principles through its federal, provincial, and territorial governments. Each government has its own responsibilities and collectively, they ensure the rights and freedoms of Canadian citizens are respected. Canada has a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary system, meaning ultimate power is vested in a democratically elected Parliament and its executive led by the Prime Minister. Canada’s government is further strengthened by its two-tiered system of government, Westminster parliamentary system, and its adherence to the rule of law.
