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.

Constitutional Monarchy

• Sovereign- Queen Elizabeth II: Monarch, Leader of Commonwealth, Canada's formal Head of State, Head of both the Executive and Legislative branches
  • Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
  • Monarchy in Canada
• Governor General- Viceroy - represents the Queen in Canada and carries out the duties of head of state
  • His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston
  • Governors General Since Confederation
• Executive Branch
• Legislative Branch
• Judicial Branch