Lesson 6
The Crown, Parliament, and the three levels of government.
Canada is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy. The Head of State is a hereditary Sovereign, His Majesty King Charles III, who reigns in accordance with the Constitution. 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 leads the party with the most elected seats. The Sovereign is a guardian of constitutional freedoms and a symbol of the nation; the Prime Minister actually runs the government. There are three branches of government: executive, legislative and judicial.
Parliament has three parts: the Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons. Members of Parliament are elected; Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister chooses the Cabinet ministers. A proposed law is called a bill. It must be approved by a majority in the House of Commons and in the Senate, then receive Royal Assent from the Governor General, before it becomes law. The Parliament Buildings are in Ottawa.
Canada has federal, provincial and territorial, and municipal (local) governments. The federal government, the government of all of Canada, handles national defence, foreign policy, citizenship, currency, criminal law and the postal service. Provinces and territories handle education, health care, natural resources and highways. Municipal governments look after local services such as policing, firefighting, snow removal and recycling. Each province has its own Premier and legislature; names such as the current Premier or Lieutenant Governor of your province can change, so check them before your test.
Answer: The Sovereign. Canada is a constitutional monarchy, meaning the Sovereign is the Head of State.
Answer: Executive, Legislative, Judicial. Canada's government is divided into these three branches.
Answer: The Prime Minister. The Prime Minister directs the governing of the country.
Answer: National defence and foreign policy. In our federal state, the federal government takes responsibility for matters of national and international concern. These include defence, foreign policy, interprovincial trade and communications, currency, navigation, criminal law and citizenship.
Answer: Parliamentary government. Canada's system of government is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy, and a constitutional monarchy.
Answer: Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and serve until age 75.
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