Name: ______Date: ______

Canada’s Government

Directions: Use the Parliament of Canada website to complete the following notes.

Remember that each country sets up its government by deciding two things: “What role will the citizens have?” and “How will power be distributed?”

PART 1: “What role will the citizens have?”

Click here.Canada is a ______, which means Canadiancitizens have the ______to be involved directly or indirectly in the ______.

Canada is a ______democracy. This gives eachcitizenthe right toelect______at each level ofgovernment(federal, provincial or territorial, and municipal). Theserepresentativesmake decisions and______that affect all parts of life.

Click here.Parliamenthas three parts: the______(Canada’sHead of State, represented by the______), the______,and the______. These three parts work together to decide on policies and______and examine the pressing issues of the day.

Role of the Monarch
Although theHead of Statein Canada is ______, her powers are defined and restricted by the ______. This system is known as ______. The functions of the Monarchare generally carried out by her representative, the______.
The Roles and Responsibilities of the Governor General
  • representing the______in Canada
  • performing duties outlined in the ______
  • serving as Canada’s ______(in charge of Canada’s armed forces)
Bicameral Parliamentary System
Canada’sParliamenthas twoChambers: the______and the______. Each Chamber plays an important role in the lives of Canadians:
Anybillproposed inParliamentmust be reviewed, refined and passed by both ______before it can become a law.
Either Chamber can elect to______an issue of national importance.
Parliamentariansreply to invitations, respond to requests for information, and answer questions relating to federal topics from the ______they represent.
The Senate

There are ______Senators. They are appointed toParliamentby the______on the advice of the______from all regions of Canada.

The House of Commons

Members of Parliamentareelectedto theHouse of Commonsfrom ______areas, calledridings, which are determined by ______.

PART 2: “How will power be distributed?”

Canada distributes power using a federal system.

Click here.There are three levels ofgovernmentin Canada:

  • ______(central government)
  • ______or territorial (the name of the regional governments in Canada)
  • Municipal (local government)

Each level has different areas of responsibility, which can be identified based on geography and types of services.

The______(central government)creates______and manages programs and services that tend to affect the ______.

The______governments (regional governments) have powers to make decisions relating to areas oflawthat affect their ______or ______directly.

Click here.The head of government of each of the ten Canadian provinces is the______. The role of the provincial premier is similar to that of the______in the federal government.

The provincial premier is usually the leader of the______that gets the most votes in aprovincial general election. The premier provides ______and ______to the provincial or territory government with the support of a cabinet and an office of political and staff.

Click here.Both the federal and provincial/territorial areas of responsibility are listed in the______of 1867.

The municipal governmentsare responsible for establishing by-laws and services that are administered in a specific ______

Federal Responsibilities (list 3)
  • ______
  • ______
  • ______
Provincial Responsibilities(list 3)
  • ______
  • ______
  • ______

Name: ______Date: ______

Canada’s Government

Directions: Use the Parliament of Canada website to complete the following notes.

Remember that each country sets up its government by deciding two things: “What role will the citizens have?” and “How will power be distributed?”

PART 1: “What role will the citizens have?”

Click here.Canada is a ______, which means Canadian citizens have the ______to be involved directly or indirectly in the ______.

Canada is a ______democracy. This gives eachcitizenthe right toelect______at each level ofgovernment(federal, provincial or territorial, and municipal). Theserepresentatives make decisions and______that affect all parts of life.

Click here.Parliamenthas three parts: the______(Canada’sHead of State, represented by the______), the______,and the______. These three parts work together to decide on policies and______and examine the pressing issues of the day.

Role of the Monarch
Although theHead of Statein Canada is ______, her powers are defined and restricted by the ______. This system is known as ______. The functions of the Monarchare generally carried out by her representative, the______.
The Roles and Responsibilities of the Governor General
  • representing the______in Canada
  • performing duties outlined in the ______
  • serving as Canada’s ______(in charge of Canada’s armed forces)

Bicameral Parliamentary System

Canada’sParliamenthas twoChambers: the______and the______. Each Chamber plays an important role in the lives of Canadians:

Anybillproposed inParliamentmust be reviewed, refined and passed by both ______before it can become a law.

Either Chamber can elect to______an issue of national importance.

Parliamentariansreply to invitations, respond to requests for information, and answer questions relating to federal topics from the ______they represent.

The Senate

There are ______Senators. They are appointed toParliamentby the______on the advice of the______from all regions of Canada.

The House of Commons

Members of Parliamentareelectedto theHouse of Commonsfrom ______areas, calledridings, which are determined by ______.

PART 2: “How will power be distributed?”

Canada distributes power using a federal system.

Click here.There are three levels ofgovernmentin Canada:

  • ______(central government)
  • ______or territorial (the name of the regional governments in Canada)
  • Municipal (local government)

Each level has different areas of responsibility, which can be identified based on geography and types of services.

The______(central government)creates______and manages programs and services that tend to affect the ______.

The______governments (regional governments) have powers to make decisions relating to areas oflawthat affect their ______or ______directly.

Click here.The head of government of each of the ten Canadian provinces is the______. The role of the provincial premier is similar to that of the______in the federal government.

The provincial premier is usually the leader of the______that gets the most votes in aprovincial general election. The premier provides ______and ______to the provincial or territory government with the support of a cabinet and an office of political and staff.

Click here.Both the federal and provincial/territorial areas of responsibility are listed in the______of 1867.

The municipal governmentsare responsible for establishing by-laws and services that are administered in a specific ______

Federal Responsibilities (list 3)

  • ______
  • ______
  • ______

Provincial Responsibilities (list 3)

  • ______
  • ______
  • ______