Basic HTML Version
Ontario Day to Day
Workbook 2010
10
At every level—municipal, provincial or federal—
government leaders in Canada are elected. Every citizen
18 years or older has the right to vote in Canada.
Canada is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional
monarchy, with the Canadian monarch (Queen or King)
the head of state.
The Governor-General, appointed to a five-year term
on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, is the
monarch’s representative in Canada.
Canada’s national Parliament in Ottawa consists of the
House of Commons with elected members serving terms
up to five years, and the Senate with members serving
until age 75. Senators are appointed by the Governor
General on the advice of the Prime Minister.
The country’s national political leader is the Prime
Minister, who typically heads the political party which
has elected the most representatives to the House of
Commons in Ottawa. This national government creates
and passes into law all legislation regarding Canada’s
national policies and international affairs.
Similarly, in Ontario we elect a Premier as the Province’s
political leader. He or she typically heads the provincial
political party with the most elected representatives at
the provincial legislature in Toronto, known as Queen’s
Park. This provincial government makes and passes laws
affecting the citizens of Ontario.
The Prime Minister, provincial Premiers and elected
territorial leaders each form a group of Ministers called
a Cabinet which assumes responsibility for specific
aspects of government, for example, Finance, Foreign
Affairs, International Trade, Health or Education.
Each government department or Ministry — Federal,
Provincial or Municipal — maintains full-time employees
who carry out the policies, administer the programs and
perform the services approved by the elected legislators
or councillors.
HOW GOVERNMENT WORKS IN CANADA
EXERCISE
Using various sources – Internet, newspapers or newsmagazines, answer the following
questions:
1. Who is Canada’s current head of state?
2. Who is his/her representative in Canada?
3. Who is Canada’s current prime minister?
4. What political party does he/she lead?
5. Who is Ontario’s current premier?
6. What political party does he/she lead?
For more information, please refer to Discover Canada, a study guide available online, via download or in print from
Citizenship and Immigration Canada:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/discover/index.asp
•
Going to Canada
www.goingtocanada.gc.ca
•
About Canada
http://canada.gc.ca/acanada/vwctgry.htm
or
www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/guide/index.asp
Useful Websites