How Canadians Govern Themselves

What type of government does Canada have?

✓ A constitutional monarchy, a parliamentary democracy and a federal state

Who is Canada's head of state?

✓ The Sovereign — King Charles III

Who is the head of government in Canada?

✓ The Prime Minister

Who represents the Sovereign at the federal level in Canada?

✓ The Governor General

Who represents the Sovereign in each province?

✓ The Lieutenant Governor

What are the three parts (branches) of Parliament?

✓ The Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons

What are the three branches of government?

✓ Executive, legislative and judicial

What do we call members of the House of Commons?

✓ Members of Parliament (MPs)

How are senators chosen?

✓ They are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister

What are the three levels of government in Canada?

✓ Federal, provincial/territorial and municipal

Name one responsibility of the federal government.

✓ National defence

Name one responsibility of provincial governments.

✓ Education

Name one responsibility of municipal (local) governments.

✓ Snow removal

Who chooses the Cabinet ministers?

✓ The Prime Minister

What is the role of the Cabinet?

✓ To make important government decisions and run departments

After an election, which party usually forms the government?

✓ The party with the most seats

What is a majority government?

✓ When the governing party holds more than half the seats in the House of Commons

What is a minority government?

✓ When the governing party has the most seats but fewer than half

What is the highest court in Canada?

✓ The Supreme Court of Canada

Where is the federal Parliament located?

✓ Ottawa

What is the name of the elected lower house of Parliament?

✓ The House of Commons

What is the federal system of government?

✓ A system that divides powers between the federal and provincial governments

Who formally appoints the Prime Minister?

✓ The Governor General

What is the role of the Opposition in Parliament?

✓ To question and hold the government accountable

What do we call the largest party that is not in government?

✓ The Official Opposition

Who reads the Speech from the Throne to open Parliament?

✓ The Governor General (or the Sovereign)

What is the Constitution of Canada?

✓ The supreme law that sets out how Canada is governed

How does a bill become law after being passed by Parliament?

✓ It receives Royal Assent from the Governor General