Government
Constitiution
The Canadian Constitution consists of unwritten, and written acts, customs, judicial decisions, and traditions. Only covering the written parts of the Constitution, is first the Constitution Act of 29 March 1867. The act created a federation is four of the ten provinces. The second part of the Constitution is the Constitution Act of 17 April 1982 which gave control of the Constitution from Brittan to Canada officially, and added a Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as procedures for constitutional amendments.
Legal System
Quebec is the only place in Canada with civil law based on the French civil code prevails. The rest of Canada runs on the common law system.
Monarchy Quick Outlook:
Canada is a monarchy, ruled by Queen Elizabeth II. Canada became a constitutional monarchy since the Constitution Act, 1867, where the role of the throne is both legal and practical, but not political. The Queen has all the powers of state as for she has the crown, but the crown is referred as a corporation. The Queen is the center of all the institution of government ( the US has branches of government, just for reference). For the executive part of government, the Queen is known as the "Queen-in-Council", in the legislature, the Queen is known as the "Queen-in-Parliament", and in the Judicial part of government, the Queen is known as the "Queen on the Bench". Queen Elizabeth II rules 15 other countries in the Commonwealth of Nations!
Executive Branch
The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II as of February 6, 1852. She is represented by Governor General David Johnston as of October 1, 2010. The head of government is Prime Minister Stephen Joseph Harper as of February 6, 2006.
As of elections, the crown is hereditary, but the Governor General is appointed for a five year term under supervision of the Prime Minister.
As of elections, the crown is hereditary, but the Governor General is appointed for a five year term under supervision of the Prime Minister.
Legislative Branch
Parliament consists of both the Senate and the House of Commons. The Senate consists of 105 seats, all members appointed by the Governor General under the supervision of the Prime Minister, and all members can serve until 75 years of age. On the other hand, the House of Commons, or the Chamber des Communes consists of 308 seats, and they are voted my popular vote and serve four-year terms max. The House of Commons is made up of 39.6% (166) Conservative Party, 30.6% (103) NDP, 18.9% (34) Liberal Party, 6% (4) Bloc Quebecois, and 3.9% (1) of Greens.
Leaders of political parties:
Bloc Quebecois- Daniel Paille
Conservative Party of Canada- Stephen Harper
Green Party- Elizabeth May
Liberal Party- Robert Rae (interim)
New Democratic Party/NDP-Thomas Mulcair
Leaders of political parties:
Bloc Quebecois- Daniel Paille
Conservative Party of Canada- Stephen Harper
Green Party- Elizabeth May
Liberal Party- Robert Rae (interim)
New Democratic Party/NDP-Thomas Mulcair
Judicial Branch
The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court in Canada, and consists of the chief justice, and eight judges.
The Chief Justice and the judges are chosen by the Prime Minister, and all judges are appointed for life, but they have a mandatory retirement age of 75, you have to be sure you want this profession because once you are in, you cant leave until you are 75.
The Chief Justice and the judges are chosen by the Prime Minister, and all judges are appointed for life, but they have a mandatory retirement age of 75, you have to be sure you want this profession because once you are in, you cant leave until you are 75.
Above is a political map of Canada. It shows all of Canada's provinces, and territories. For more information of each of these areas, click on the buttons below, or find it on the scroll down menu under the "more..." tab.