Home / Prep For The Test / Study Guide / Government I / How Canadians Govern Themselves
Discover Canada Study Guide
Government I
Learn about Canada by reading each section of the Discover Canada study guide, and answering review questions. Earn a badge for each section you complete!
Please be aware that the online versions of the Discover Canada study guide may not have the most up to date information on certain topics. Where possible we have shared correct information and links to their sources.
How Canadians Govern Themselves
There are three key facts about Canada’s system of government:
- Canada is a federal state. The federal government has different responsibilities than the provinces. There is a national government and legislature for general purposes, with local governments and legislatures for local purposes. Federalism lets the provinces decide what is best for their people. It gives the provinces a chance to try different ideas.
- Canada is a parliamentary democracy. This means that citizens in Canada can vote in democratic elections. In a democratic election the person or group which gets more than 50% of the vote can make decisions for the whole group. In other words, they can represent the group. The representatives go to parliament to make laws.
- Canada is a constitutional monarchy. This means that the monarch (king or queen) has rights, duties and responsibilities for a country. The constitution of Canada gives information about what Queen Elizabeth will do for Canada.
Review questions
-
1
What are three key facts about Canada’s system of government?
Show Answer
-
Canada is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy, and a constitutional monarchy.
Hide answer