Canada Government

Canada’s national government operates as a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy.

National level

Executive branch

The executive branch is headed by the monarch, represented domestically by the Governor General, who performs ceremonial duties and acts on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. The Prime Minister, as the head of government, leads the executive branch and is supported by a Cabinet composed of ministers typically selected from the House of Commons.

Legislative branch

The legislative branch consists of a bicameral Parliament, which includes the elected 338 members of House of Commons and the appointed 105 members of Senate. Members of the House of Commons, known as Members of Parliament (MPs), are elected, while Senators are appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister. Senators are subject to a mandatory retirement age of 75.

Provincial/Territorial level

Canada’s provincial and territorial governments operate within a framework similar to the federal House of Commons. They are tailored to local needs; and which are unicameral bodies.

Executive branch

The head of the provincial government is the Premier, a role analogous to the Prime Minister at the federal level and supported by a cabinet of ministers. While territories have Commissioners appointed by the federal government. This decentralized structure allows provinces and territories to address local needs and preferences within the framework of Canada’s Constitution.

Legislative branch

The provincial legislatures pass laws on matters of regional importance, such as education, health, and transportation, while territories have similar powers but with more federal oversight.

Local level

Canada’s local government structure consists of municipalities, which include cities, towns, villages, and rural districts. These local governments are established by provincial and territorial legislation and vary in size and function. Municipalities are typically governed by elected councils, which include a mayor or reeve and councilors. The mayor acts as the executive head, leading the council and representing the municipality in ceremonial functions. Local governments are responsible for delivering essential services such as water supply, waste management, local road maintenance, public transit, and zoning and land use planning. They also manage recreational facilities, libraries, and local police and fire services. Funding for municipalities primarily comes from property taxes, user fees, and provincial and federal grants. This local governance structure allows for responsive and community-specific decision-making, ensuring that local needs and priorities are addressed effectively.

Election Events

We log and track general and by-elections.

Level	Chamber	Term lengths
National	House of Commons	4 years *
Provincial/ Territorial	Legislative Assembly/ National Assembly/ House of Assembly	4 years *
Local	Mayor	Varies
	Councillors/ Alderman	Varies

* early elections could occur under certain circumstances