Canada’s government is a unique blend of British and American models, with an executive branch headed by the British monarch and a system of checks and balances between the executive and legislative branches. The governor-general appoints the prime minister, and the legislative branch is bicameral. The federal judicial system oversees criminal law and maintains a Supreme Court. The Canadian government constitution was created in 1867 and amended in 1982 to give Canada political independence from Great Britain.
The Canadian government borrows both the British and American model of government to create an unusual system in charge of its country. Like America, it uses a system of checks and balances between the executive and legislative branches, but its executive branch is headed by the monarch of Great Britain, currently Queen Elizabeth II. Including both democratic and parliamentary models, Canada’s government is truly unique to the needs of its people.
The head of Canada’s executive branch is the King or Queen of the United Kingdom, who has powers over the legislative and judicial branches. Historically, this position is honorary rather than imposed, although if they were to decide, the monarch could assert considerable power over Canada. Because they are quite far apart geographically, the monarch appoints a Canadian governor-general to oversee executive powers. While the executive branch typically bows to the will of parliament and the constitution, it does so by tradition rather than by law.
The governor general appoints the prime minister, who is the head of Canada’s federal government. The prime minister is almost always chosen by the party that holds a majority in the House of Commons, however if no party holds a majority, he is usually appointed by the party with the largest number of members. While the prime minister cannot be removed from office, the House of Commons can pass an act of no confidence in the government, which will generally result in the resignation of the prime minister and his cabinet.
The legislative branch of the Canadian government is bicameral, meaning it has two houses of legislative power. The nominated house is called the Senate, and members are selected by the governor-general with the advice of the prime minister. The elected branch of the legislative government is called the House of Commons and is chosen by democratic electoral procedures every five years. While in theory both houses have roughly equal power, the House of Commons generally wields the most power in the Canadian government and introduces many more bills in Parliament.
Canada’s federal judicial system oversees all criminal law, as well as maintaining a Supreme Court appointed by the governor general. Civil law is monitored using British common law principles, with the exception of Quebec, where a French code is followed. The Supreme Court consists of nine justices and is used as a “last resort” court system, when a case cannot be adequately completed by the lower courts.
The Canadian government constitution was created in 1867 as an act of the British Parliament. In 1982, the constitution was amended to give Canada political independence from Great Britain, although the monarch still retains executive powers. Additionally, the 1982 amendment contained an outline of political rights and freedoms for citizens, similar to the ten-part Bill of Rights that begins the American constitution.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
