Canada’s System of Government

Canada is a democratic constitutional monarchy, with a Sovereign as head of State and an elected Prime Minister as head of Government. Canada has a federal system of parliamentary government: Government responsibilities and functions are shared between federal, provincial and territorial governments. Federal responsibilities are carried out by the Monarchy and the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of Government.

Read more: Government of Canada

Canada’s political and electoral system is organized on the basis of political groups, each of which presents its policies and candidates to the electorate. The party system emerged in Canada during the nineteenth century. Political parties register with Elections Canada and play a role in the parliamentary process if they have more than a minimum number of members in the House of Commons or Senate.

Read more: About Political Parties