Discover Canada study notes: How Canadians Govern Themselves

This chapter explains how Canada's government is organized: who makes laws, who does what, and the role of the King. Here are simple study notes and the key facts for the citizenship test.

Three key words: federal, democratic, monarchy

Canada is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy. Each idea explains one part of how the country is run.

Canada is a federal state

In Canada, the federal government in Ottawa and the ten provincial governments each have their own areas of responsibility. This division was written down in 1867 in the British North America Act, which is now called the Constitution Act, 1867.

Who does what

• Federal government: matters for the whole country and for relations with other countries, such as national defence, foreign policy, trade and communications between provinces, currency (money), navigation, criminal law and citizenship.
• Provincial governments: municipal (local) government, education, health, natural resources, property and civil rights, and highways.
• Shared by both: agriculture and immigration.

Federalism lets provinces shape policies for their own people and try new ideas. The three territories are not provinces, but their governments do many of the same jobs.

Canada is a parliamentary democracy

Voters elect members to the House of Commons in Ottawa and to their provincial or territorial legislature. These elected representatives make laws, approve and watch over government spending, and hold the government to account.

Cabinet ministers answer to the elected members. They must keep the "confidence of the House", which means the support of most members. If they lose a non-confidence vote, they must resign.

The three parts of Parliament

• The Sovereign (the King or Queen)
• The Senate: senators are not elected. The Governor General appoints them on the advice of the Prime Minister, and they can serve until age 75. Today the Senate has 105 seats.
• The House of Commons: the elected chamber. Its members are called Members of Parliament (MPs). They have traditionally been elected every four years. Today the House has 343 seats.

There are three branches of government: executive, legislative and judicial. They work together and also check each other, which helps protect Canadians' rights and freedoms.

How a bill becomes law

A proposed law is a bill. It must pass both Houses and then receive royal assent from the Governor General for the Sovereign. There are seven steps:

1. First reading: the bill is considered read for the first time and is printed.
2. Second reading: members debate the main idea of the bill.
3. Committee stage: a committee studies the bill section by section.
4. Report stage: members may suggest more changes (amendments).
5. Third reading: members debate the bill again and vote on it.
6. Senate: the bill goes through similar steps in the Senate.
7. Royal assent: after both Houses pass it, the bill receives royal assent and becomes law.

Every Canadian 18 or older is encouraged to vote in federal, provincial or territorial, and municipal elections.

Canada is a constitutional monarchy

Canada's head of state is a hereditary Sovereign (a King or Queen) who reigns according to the Constitution and the rule of law. The Sovereign is part of Parliament and stays out of party politics. The Sovereign is a symbol of Canadian sovereignty and a guardian of constitutional freedoms. As Head of the Commonwealth, the Sovereign also links Canada to the other nations of the Commonwealth. The guide's printed version refers to Queen Elizabeth II. Today, Canada's Sovereign is King Charles III.

The head of government is different: it is the Prime Minister, who chooses the Cabinet ministers and is responsible for the operations and policy of the government. Canada's current Prime Minister is Mark Carney.

Who represents the Sovereign

• Governor General: represents the Sovereign in Canada. The Sovereign appoints the Governor General on the Prime Minister's advice, usually for five years. The guide's printed version shows David Johnston. Today, the Governor General is Louise Arbour (since June 8, 2026).
• Lieutenant Governor: represents the Sovereign in each of the ten provinces. The Governor General appoints them on the Prime Minister's advice, usually for five years.
• Commissioner: in each of the three territories, a Commissioner represents the federal government and has a mostly ceremonial role.

Provincial governments

In each province, the Premier has a role like the Prime Minister's in Ottawa. Each province has an elected Legislative Assembly, which is like the House of Commons. A provincial legislature is made up of the Lieutenant Governor and the elected Assembly. Its elected members are called MLAs, MNAs, MPPs or MHAs, depending on the province or territory.

Key facts to remember

• Canada is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy.
• Federal and provincial powers were divided in 1867 by the British North America Act, now the Constitution Act, 1867.
• Shared federal-provincial powers: agriculture and immigration.
• Senators are appointed (not elected) and serve until age 75; there are 105 Senate seats.
• MPs are elected to the House of Commons; there are 343 seats.
• A bill needs: first reading, second reading, committee stage, report stage, third reading, Senate, royal assent.
• Head of state: the Sovereign, now King Charles III. Head of government: the Prime Minister, now Mark Carney.
• The Governor General represents the Sovereign in Canada; now Louise Arbour (since June 8, 2026).
• A Lieutenant Governor represents the Sovereign in each province; a Commissioner represents the federal government in each territory.