How Canadians Govern Themselves
Three key facts
- Canada is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy.
Federal state
- There are federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments in Canada.
- Federal and provincial responsibilities were defined in 1867 in the British North America Act, now known as the Constitution Act, 1867.
- The federal government handles matters of national and international concern: defence, foreign policy, interprovincial trade and communications, currency, navigation, criminal law and citizenship.
- The provinces are responsible for municipal government, education, health, natural resources, property and civil rights, and highways.
- The federal government and the provinces share jurisdiction over agriculture and immigration.
- Federalism lets provinces adopt policies tailored to their own populations and gives them flexibility to experiment with new ideas.
- Every province has its own elected Legislative Assembly. The three northern territories do not have the status of provinces, but their governments carry out many of the same functions.
Parliamentary democracy
- Elected representatives are responsible for passing laws, approving and monitoring expenditures, and keeping the government accountable.
- Cabinet ministers must retain the "confidence of the House" and have to resign if defeated in a non-confidence vote.
- Parliament has three parts: the Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons.
- Provincial legislatures comprise the Lieutenant Governor and the elected Assembly.
- The Prime Minister selects the Cabinet ministers and is responsible for the operations and policy of the government.
- The House of Commons is the representative chamber, made up of members of Parliament elected traditionally every four years.
- Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and serve until age 75.
- No bill becomes law until passed by both chambers and given royal assent, granted by the Governor General on behalf of the Sovereign.
How a bill becomes law
- Step 1 — First Reading: the bill is considered read for the first time and is printed.
- Step 2 — Second Reading: members debate the bill's principle.
- Step 3 — Committee Stage: committee members study the bill clause by clause.
- Step 4 — Report Stage: members can make other amendments.
- Step 5 — Third Reading: members debate and vote on the bill.
- Step 6 — Senate: the bill follows a similar process in the Senate.
- Step 7 — Royal Assent: the bill receives royal assent after being passed by both Houses.
Constitutional monarchy
- Canada's Head of State is a hereditary Sovereign who reigns in accordance with the Constitution: the rule of law.
- The Sovereign plays an important, non-partisan role as the focus of citizenship and allegiance, most visibly during royal visits.
- The Sovereign is a symbol of Canadian sovereignty, a guardian of constitutional freedoms, and a reflection of our history.
- There is a clear distinction between the head of state — the Sovereign — and the head of government — the Prime Minister, who actually directs the governing of the country.
- The Sovereign is represented in Canada by the Governor General, appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister, usually for five years.
- In each of the ten provinces, the Sovereign is represented by the Lieutenant Governor, appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister, normally for five years.
- Other constitutional monarchies include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Spain, Thailand, Japan, Jordan and Morocco.
Branches and legislatures
- The three branches of government are the Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial. Their interplay helps secure the rights and freedoms of Canadians.
- Members of provincial and territorial legislatures are called MLAs, MNAs, MPPs or MHAs, depending on the province or territory.
- In each province the Premier has a role similar to the Prime Minister, just as the Lieutenant Governor has a role similar to the Governor General.
- In the three territories, the Commissioner represents the federal government and plays a ceremonial role.
- Canadians aged 18 or more should participate in their democracy by voting in federal, provincial or territorial and municipal elections.
Question 1 of 10
What must happen before a bill becomes law in Canada?
Correct answer: It must pass both chambers and receive royal assent
Source from the guide
“No bill can become law in Canada until it has been passed by both chambers and has received royal assent, granted by the Governor General on behalf of the Sovereign.”
It must be passed by both chambers and receive royal assent, granted by the Governor General on behalf of the Sovereign.
Discover Canada · about page 28Discover Canada — Large Print · page 55
Question 2 of 10
The British North America Act is now known as what?
Correct answer: The Constitution Act, 1867
Source from the guide
“The responsibilities of the federal and provincial governments were defined in 1867 in the British North America Act, now known as the Constitution Act, 1867.”
The Constitution Act, 1867. It defined federal and provincial responsibilities.
Discover Canada · about page 28Discover Canada — Large Print · page 54
Question 3 of 10
What is a bill?
Correct answer: A proposal for a new law
Source from the guide
“Both the House of Commons and the Senate consider and review bills (proposals for new laws).”
A proposal for a new law. Both the House of Commons and the Senate consider and review bills.
Discover Canada · about page 28Discover Canada — Large Print · page 55
Question 4 of 10
What does the Commissioner do in each of the three territories?
Correct answer: Represents the federal government and plays a ceremonial role
Source from the guide
“In the three territories, the Commissioner represents the federal government and plays a ceremonial role.”
Represents the federal government and plays a ceremonial role.
Discover Canada · about page 28Discover Canada — Large Print · page 58
Question 5 of 10
What happens at the Committee Stage?
Correct answer: Committee members study the bill clause by clause
Source from the guide
“Committee Stage – Committee members study the bill clause by clause.”
Committee members study the bill clause by clause.
Discover Canada · about page 28Discover Canada — Large Print · page 56
Question 6 of 10
As Head of the Commonwealth, the Sovereign links Canada to how many other nations, according to Discover Canada?
Correct answer: 53
Source from the guide
“As Head of the Commonwealth, the Sovereign links Canada to 53 other nations that cooperate to advance social, economic and cultural progress.”
53 other nations, which cooperate to advance social, economic and cultural progress. Commonwealth membership has changed since the guide was written, so check the current figure.
Discover Canada · about page 28Discover Canada — Large Print · page 57
Question 7 of 10
What must Cabinet ministers do if they are defeated in a non-confidence vote?
Correct answer: They have to resign
Source from the guide
“Cabinet ministers … must retain the "confidence of the House" and have to resign if they are defeated in a non-confidence vote.”
They have to resign. Ministers must retain the "confidence of the House".
Discover Canada · about page 28
Question 8 of 10
What are elected representatives responsible for?
Correct answer: Passing laws, approving expenditures, and keeping the government accountable
Source from the guide
“These representatives are responsible for passing laws, approving and monitoring expenditures, and keeping the government accountable.”
Passing laws, approving and monitoring expenditures, and keeping the government accountable.
Discover Canada · about page 28Discover Canada — Large Print · page 55
Question 9 of 10
Which of these is a federal government responsibility?
Correct answer: Citizenship
Source from the guide
“These include defence, foreign policy, interprovincial trade and communications, currency, navigation, criminal law and citizenship.”
Defence, foreign policy, interprovincial trade and communications, currency, navigation, criminal law and citizenship are federal. Education and health are provincial.
Discover Canada · about page 28Discover Canada — Large Print · page 54
Question 10 of 10
What happens at First Reading of a bill?
Correct answer: It is considered read for the first time and is printed
Source from the guide
“First Reading – The bill is considered read for the first time and is printed.”
The bill is considered read for the first time and is printed.
Discover Canada · about page 28Discover Canada — Large Print · page 56
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