How Canadians govern themselves: Parliament, PM and elections
Canadians govern themselves through a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy. Parliament has three parts: the Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons. The Prime Minister leads the government, and citizens aged 18 or older elect members of Parliament.
This guide follows the Discover Canada chapters How Canadians Govern Themselves and Federal Elections, and notes where a fact has changed since the guide was written. igotcitizenship is an independent study app and is not affiliated with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Three key facts
- A federal state. Power is divided between the federal government and the provinces, as set out in 1867 in the British North America Act, now the Constitution Act, 1867.
- A parliamentary democracy. The people elect representatives to the House of Commons and to provincial and territorial legislatures. The government must keep the confidence of the House.
- A constitutional monarchy. The head of state is a hereditary Sovereign, today King Charles III, who reigns according to the Constitution.
Who does what
| Role | What they do |
|---|---|
| The Sovereign | Head of state; part of Parliament |
| The Governor General | Represents the Sovereign in Canada; appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister, usually for five years |
| The Prime Minister | Head of government; chooses Cabinet ministers and directs the government |
| The Cabinet | The Prime Minister and ministers; prepare the budget and propose most new laws |
| The House of Commons | Elected members of Parliament (MPs) |
| The Senate | Senators appointed by the Governor General on the Prime Minister's advice; they serve until age 75 |
| A Lieutenant Governor | Represents the Sovereign in a province |
| A Premier | Leads a provincial or territorial government, like a Prime Minister |
| A Commissioner | Represents the federal government in a territory |
A common trap: the head of state is the Sovereign, and the head of government is the Prime Minister. The guide refers to the Queen because it predates the current reign; see what has changed since Discover Canada.
For the names of the people in these roles now, check the Prime Minister's site and the Governor General's site rather than an old study sheet.
How a bill becomes law
No bill becomes law until both the House of Commons and the Senate pass it and it receives royal assent, granted by the Governor General on behalf of the Sovereign. The guide lists seven steps: first reading, second reading, committee stage, report stage, third reading, the Senate, and royal assent.
The levels of government
| Level | Elected officials | Some responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| Federal | Members of Parliament (MPs) | Defence, foreign policy, citizenship, criminal law, currency |
| Provincial and territorial | MLAs, MNAs, MPPs or MHAs, depending on the province | Education, health care, natural resources, highways |
| Municipal | A mayor or reeve, and councillors | Snow removal, firefighting, local services |
The federal and provincial governments share responsibility for agriculture and immigration. First Nations have band chiefs and councillors with major responsibilities on reserves.
Federal elections
Canada is divided into electoral districts, also called ridings or constituencies. The people in each district elect one MP, and the candidate with the most votes wins. The guide states a number of districts, but that number changes with each redistribution, so check the House of Commons' list of constituencies rather than memorising the guide's count.
By law, federal elections are held on the third Monday in October every four years after the last general election, though an election can be called earlier (Discover Canada, Federal Elections).
Who can vote
You can vote in a federal election if you are:
- a Canadian citizen,
- at least 18 years old on voting day, and
- on the voters' list.
The vote is secret: no one, including your family or employer, can insist that you tell them how you voted. New citizens can register with Elections Canada.
After an election
The leader of the party with the most seats is usually invited by the Governor General to form the government. A party holding at least half the seats has a majority government; less than half, a minority government. The largest party not in power is the Official Opposition.
Frequently asked questions
What are the three parts of Parliament?
The Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons.
Who is Canada's head of state?
The Sovereign, King Charles III. The Prime Minister is the head of government.
Are senators elected?
No. They are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and serve until age 75.
Can permanent residents vote in federal elections?
No. Voting in a federal election requires Canadian citizenship.
Will the test ask for the current Prime Minister's name?
IRCC does not publish the test questions. The guide asks you to learn the names of your current leaders and representatives, so know them.
Test your government knowledge with a free practice test, or see more practice questions and answers.