What does the How Canadians Govern Themselves chapter cover?
Canada has three key facts about its government: it is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy. Parliament has three parts: the Sovereign (represented by the Governor General), the Senate and the House of Commons. Members of Parliament are elected; senators are appointed. The Prime Minister leads the government, and responsibilities are divided between the federal and provincial governments. Each province has an elected legislature and a Premier, and the Sovereign is represented in each province by a Lieutenant Governor.
How hard is the How Canadians Govern Themselves chapter?
Who does what in Canada's government?
Test questions often swap these roles. Learn who each person represents and how they get the job.
| Role | Level | How chosen | What they do |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Sovereign (King Charles III) | All of Canada | Hereditary | Head of State; part of Parliament |
| Governor General | Federal | Appointed by the Sovereign on the Prime Minister's advice, usually for five years | Represents the King; gives Royal Assent to bills |
| Prime Minister | Federal | Leader of the party that holds the confidence of the House of Commons | Head of government; chooses Cabinet ministers |
| Member of Parliament (MP) | Federal | Elected in a riding | Sits in the House of Commons and votes on laws |
| Senator | Federal | Appointed by the Governor General on the Prime Minister's advice | Reviews bills; serves until age 75 |
| Lieutenant Governor | Provincial | Appointed by the Governor General on the Prime Minister's advice, usually for five years | Represents the King in a province |
| Premier | Provincial or territorial | Leader of the governing party in the legislature | Head of the provincial or territorial government |
| Commissioner | Territorial | Appointed by the federal government | Represents the federal government in a territory |
What key facts should I remember?
- Canada is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy.
- Parliament = the Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons.
- The Governor General represents the King federally; Lieutenant Governors represent him in the provinces.
- Senators are appointed and may serve until age 75.
- A bill must pass both houses and receive Royal Assent to become law.
What do federal state, parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy mean?
Federal state: power is shared between the federal government in Ottawa and the provincial and territorial governments. Parliamentary democracy: Canadians elect representatives to the House of Commons, and the government must keep the support of a majority of those elected members. Constitutional monarchy: the Sovereign is Head of State, but governs according to the Constitution and the rule of law.
Which powers are federal and which are provincial?
Discover Canada lists these responsibilities. Agriculture and immigration are shared by both levels of government.
- Federal: national defence, foreign policy, interprovincial trade and communications, currency, navigation, criminal law and citizenship.
- Provincial: municipal government, education, health, natural resources, property and civil rights, and highways.
- Shared: agriculture and immigration.
How does a bill become law in Canada?
A bill must pass the House of Commons and the Senate and then receive Royal Assent. In each house it goes through these stages:
- First reading: the bill is introduced and printed.
- Second reading: members debate whether the bill is needed.
- Committee stage: a committee studies the bill clause by clause.
- Report stage: members can propose changes.
- Third reading: members debate and vote on the final bill.
- Senate: the bill goes through the same stages in the Senate.
- Royal Assent: the Governor General grants it and the bill becomes law.
What are the Cabinet and responsible government?
The Prime Minister chooses Cabinet ministers, who run federal departments and prepare the budget and most new laws. Under responsible government, the ministers are accountable to the elected House of Commons: if the government loses a confidence vote, it must resign or ask for an election.
What do provincial, territorial and municipal governments do?
Each province has an elected legislative assembly led by a Premier. Municipal governments, run by a council and a mayor or reeve, pass bylaws and look after local services such as policing, firefighting, snow removal, recycling and transit. Many First Nations elect band chiefs and councillors to govern reserves.
Which facts do people mix up?
- The Governor General represents the King; the Prime Minister leads the government. They are different people with different jobs.
- Premier = head of a province or territory. Prime Minister = head of the federal government.
- MPs are elected. Senators are appointed and can serve until 75.
- Lieutenant Governors represent the King in provinces; Commissioners represent the federal government in territories.
What questions from this chapter are on the test?
What are the three parts of Parliament?
The Sovereign (the King), the Senate and the House of Commons.
Who is Canada's Head of State?
The Sovereign, King Charles III, represented in Canada by the Governor General.
What is the difference between the Head of State and the head of government?
The Sovereign is the Head of State. The Prime Minister is the head of government and runs the country day to day.
Who represents the King in the provinces?
A Lieutenant Governor in each province. In the territories, a Commissioner represents the federal government.
What are some federal government responsibilities?
National defence, foreign policy, citizenship, criminal law, currency, navigation, and interprovincial trade and communications.
How long can a senator serve?
Senators are appointed, not elected, and may serve until age 75.
What is Royal Assent?
The final step for a bill. After it passes the House of Commons and the Senate, the Governor General grants Royal Assent and the bill becomes law.