| Government Of Canada |
Article Index for Government |
Website Links For Politics |
Information AboutGovernment Of Canada |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT POLITICS OF CANADA | |
| politics of canada | |
| westminster systempolitics of canada | |
| westminster system | |
| canada | |
| politics | |
| politics by country | |
| government in canada | |
|
The Political System under which Canada operates, known as the Westminster System , was enshrined by the British Parliament in the Constitution Act, 1867 (also known as the British North America Act ), but the federal model and division of powers were devised by Canadian politicians. Particularly after World War I , citizens of the self-governing " Dominion s" began to develop a strong sense of identity, and in the Balfour Declaration, 1926 , the British government expressed its intent to grant full autonomy to these dominions. Thus in 1931, the British Parliament passed the Statute Of Westminster giving legal recognition to the autonomy of Canada and other dominions. Canadian politicians were unable to obtain consensus on a process for amending the constitution until 1982. Therefore, amendments to Canada's constitution required the approval of the British Parliament. Similarly, the Judicial Committee Of The Privy Council in Britain continued to make the final decision on legal issues until 1949, such as whether a woman could be appointed to the Senate. Canada's politics are evolving. The size of the federal public service and its operational powers are felt by some to qualify the Public Service as an Operational Branch of government. As well, because of the Canadian Charter Of Rights And Freedoms and Rulings Of Courts on legislation, Canada is becoming more like a Constitutional Democracy , as opposed to the Parliamentary Democracy of its design. POLITICAL INFORMATION (SUMMARY) Country name
''' Government type: Constitutional Monarchy ; Federal parliamentary democracy Capital: Ottawa, Ontario
National holiday: Canada Day , July 1 (1867) Constitution: Westminster System , based on unwritten Conventions and written Constitution Act, 1982 (including the Canadian Charter Of Rights And Freedoms ) and the Constitution Act, 1867 (formerly the British North America Act, 1867 ). Legal system: except for '' Suffrage: Citizens aged 18 years or older. Only two adult citizens in Canada cannot vote; the Chief Electoral Officer , and the Deputy Chief Electoral Officer. Executive branch
Legislative branch The Bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate and the House Of Commons ; by definition, Parliament also includes the monarch. Currently the Senate is limited to 104 members, who are appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister to serve until age 75. The number of senators was exceeded once when Prime Minister Brian Mulroney sought to ensure the passage of a National Sales Tax . The House of Commons currently has 308 members elected by a plurality of popular votes in Separate Constituencies (ridings) for terms that do not exceed five years. The five-year term has been exceeded once when Prime Minister Robert Borden perceived the need during World War I .
Political parties, leaders, and status (By number of elected representatives in House of Commons)
Judicial branch Supreme Court Of Canada , judges are appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet with parliamentary committee review. Government departments and structure
Notable Crown corporations and other government agencies
''', AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC, CDB (non-regional), Council Of Europe (observer), Commonwealth Of Nations , EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, ESA (cooperating state), FAO , La Francophonie , G-7 , G-10 , IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC , ICCt , ICJ , ICFTU, ICRM, IDA , IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO , IMF , IMO, Inmarsat , Intelsat , Interpol , IOC , IOM, ISO, ITU, Kyoto Protocol , MINURCA, MINURSO, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM (guest), NAFTA , NATO , NEA, NSG, OAS , OECD , OPCW, OSCE , PCA, UN , UN Security Council (prior/temporary), UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO , UNFICYP, UNHCR , UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNTAET, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO , WIPO, WMO, WTO , Zangger Committee Flag description: a red Maple leaf centred on a Canadian Pale : three vertical bands of red (hoist side), white (double width, square), and red, with a length twice that of its height.
|