Discover Canada VideoBook
Chapter 5: How Canadians Govern Themselves

Chapter Summary

Canada’s system of government has three key features. First, Canada is a federal state with federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments. The Constitution Act, 1867 (formerly the British North America Act) defines responsibilities. The federal government handles national and international matters such as defence, foreign policy, currency, citizenship, criminal law, and interprovincial trade and communications. Provinces are responsible for areas like education, health, natural resources, property and civil rights, highways, and municipal government. Agriculture and immigration are shared responsibilities.

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Second, Canada is a parliamentary democracy. Citizens elect representatives to the House of Commons and to provincial and territorial legislatures. Elected representatives pass laws, approve spending, and hold the government accountable. Cabinet ministers must keep the “confidence of the House,” meaning the government must resign if it loses a confidence vote. At the federal level, Parliament has three parts: the Sovereign (King or Queen), the Senate, and the House of Commons. Senators are appointed and serve until age 75. A bill becomes law only after it passes both the House of Commons and the Senate and receives royal assent.

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Third, Canada is a constitutional monarchy. The Sovereign is Canada’s Head of State and reigns according to the Constitution and the rule of law. The Sovereign is represented in Canada by the Governor General and in each province by a Lieutenant Governor. The Head of Government is the Prime Minister, who directs the government and selects Cabinet ministers. Provinces have Premiers with similar roles at the provincial level. In the territories, a Commissioner represents the federal government and plays a ceremonial role.

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Living in a democracy includes both rights and responsibilities. Canadians aged 18 and older are encouraged to participate by voting in federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal elections. This chapter also outlines the main steps in the legislative process - how a bill becomes law.

Key Points to Remember

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

• Federal and provincial responsibilities are defined in the Constitution Act, 1867.

• The federal government handles national/international issues (defence, foreign policy, currency, criminal law, citizenship).

• Provinces handle key areas like education and health, plus property and civil rights, highways, and municipal government.

• In a parliamentary democracy, the government must keep the confidence of the House.

• Parliament has three parts: the Sovereign, the Senate, and the House of Commons.

• A bill becomes law only after passing both chambers and receiving royal assent.

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

• The Governor General represents the Sovereign in Canada; Lieutenant Governors represent the Sovereign in provinces.

• Voting is both a right and a responsibility in a democracy.

Citizenship Test Focus

If you’re studying for the citizenship test, prioritize these items:

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• Memorize the three key facts: federal state, parliamentary democracy, constitutional monarchy.

• Know the difference between Head of State (Sovereign) and Head of Government (Prime Minister).

• Know the role of the Governor General and Lieutenant Governors.

• Understand “confidence of the House” and what happens if a government loses it.

• Know the basic steps of the legislative process (how a bill becomes law).

• Know examples of federal vs provincial responsibilities (education/health vs defence/citizenship).