Canada’s Government

What type of government do we have in the United States? Structure Canada’s government is a DEMOCRACY like the United States. What does Democracy mean? However, Canada is also a CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY. What does a Constitutional Monarchy mean? Question: What type of government do we have in the United States? A: Federal Democracy

British Commonwealth of Nations Definition: an association of nations consisting of the United Kingdom and several former British colonies that are now sovereign (free) nations (countries) but still pay allegiance to the British Crown 53 member-nations including: Canada, Australia, India, New Zealand, and South Africa

Constitutional Monarchy What is a constitutional monarchy? Definition: a system of government in which a monarch is guided by a constitution whereby his/her rights, duties, and responsibilities are spelled out in written law or by custom. So… there is a king or queen (monarch) but they have little power. The majority of the power lies with …

Parliament Parliament is made up of the: House of Commons and the Senate. When we compare this to the United States… The House of Commons = the House of Representatives The Senate of Canada= The Senate of the United States Parliament makes up the branch called…

Legislature The legislative branch is called Parliament. This is a picture of the Parliament building in Ottawa

So what person does Canada report to? But … The Legislature doesn’t have full control… Canada has to still report to The United Kingdom Why? Question: So what person does Canada report to?

Does she have power over Canada? Head of State Canada has a monarch, which is a king or a queen. Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of State for Canada. She lives in England. Question: Does she have power over Canada?

Governor General Queen Elizabeth II does not live in Canada. Someone has to make sure everything runs smoothly The Governor General is recommended to the British monarch by the Prime Minister Michaëlle Jean the current Governor General of Canada.

Who would be the United States’ Prime Minister? The Prime Minister The Prime Minister runs the executive branch within the legislature. They are not directly elected by the people. Serves as the head of government the top administrative leader who is designated to manage the day-to-day activities of the government Chosen from the political party that has the majority in the House of Commons. The Prime Minister of Canada is Stephen Harper Question: Who would be the United States’ Prime Minister?

Judiciary Canada has both federal and provincial courts. *remember! A province is just like a state. The highest court is the federal Supreme Court. Canada’s Supreme Court one Chief Justice eight other judges.

Comparing the Canadian and U.S. Governments Aspects of Government Canada The United States Type Constitutional Monarchy (limited power) Parliamentary Democracy Constitutional Republic (limited power) Presidential Democracy Head of State Monarch President Head of Government Prime Minister Legislature Parliament Congress System Federal (central and provinces) Federal (central and states) Role of the People Democratic

Federation A power distribution system in which most of the power is held by the central government over the states or provinces

Citizen Participation Voters: 18 years and older Citizens vote members: of the House of Commons into office Citizens do NOT vote for: members of the Senate Prime Minister Governor General