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How Canadians Govern Themselves
A short summary of what to know, then 14 free practice questions with answers.
What to know
Canada’s system of government has three key features: it is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy. The British North America Act of 1867 (now called the Constitution Act, 1867) set out how powers are divided between the federal government and the provinces.
The federal government is responsible for matters such as national defence, foreign policy, citizenship, criminal law and currency. Provinces and territories are mainly responsible for education and health care, among other things. Municipal governments usually look after local services such as public transit, policing, firefighting and recreation facilities. Many First Nations communities elect band chiefs and councillors.
Parliament has three parts: the Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons. Members of Parliament are elected to the House of Commons. Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister, and the Senate gives “sober second thought” to bills. A bill must pass both the House of Commons and the Senate and receive royal assent to become law.
The Prime Minister chooses Cabinet ministers, who run federal departments and help set government policy. The Sovereign is represented by the Governor General federally and by a Lieutenant Governor in each province. In the three territories, a Commissioner represents the federal government.
Key facts to remember
- Federal state, parliamentary democracy, constitutional monarchy.
- Federal: defence, foreign policy, currency, criminal law.
- Provincial and territorial: education and health care.
- Senators are appointed; MPs are elected.
- A Lieutenant Governor represents the Sovereign in each province; a Commissioner serves in each territory.
Read the official chapter
This summary is our own and doesn’t replace the official guide. Read “How Canadians Govern Themselves” in Discover Canada on canada.ca, then test yourself below. Next topic: Federal elections.
Written by ChowChow Labs from Discover Canada. Last reviewed . Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
Question 1 · Government
Which of these is a federal responsibility?
- A. Snow removal
- B. Health care delivery
- C. Currency
- D. Local public transit
Show answer
Answer: C. Currency
Currency is among the federal government's responsibilities, along with defence, foreign policy and criminal law.Source: Discover Canada, “How Canadians Govern Themselves”
Question 2 · Government
What is the role of Cabinet ministers?
- A. They run federal departments and help set government policy
- B. They command local police forces
- C. They judge criminal trials
- D. They count votes in elections
Show answer
Answer: A. They run federal departments and help set government policy
Cabinet ministers are responsible for government departments and help the Prime Minister direct policy.Source: Discover Canada, “How Canadians Govern Themselves”
Question 3 · Government
Health care is mainly a provincial and territorial responsibility.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: A. True
The provinces and territories are responsible for delivering health care, among other areas such as education.Source: Discover Canada, “How Canadians Govern Themselves”
Question 4 · Government
Which document set out the division of powers between the federal and provincial governments in 1867?
- A. The Magna Carta
- B. The Statute of Westminster
- C. The Canadian Bill of Rights
- D. The British North America Act
Show answer
Answer: D. The British North America Act
The British North America Act of 1867, now the Constitution Act, 1867, defined federal and provincial powers.Source: Discover Canada, “How Canadians Govern Themselves”
Question 5 · Government
Which level of government usually provides local public transit and recreation facilities?
- A. Federal
- B. Municipal
- C. The Crown directly
- D. The Senate
Show answer
Answer: B. Municipal
Local services such as transit, parks and recreation are typically run by municipal governments.Source: Discover Canada, “How Canadians Govern Themselves”
Question 6 · Government
Who are the elected leaders of many First Nations communities?
- A. Lieutenant Governors
- B. Band chiefs and councillors
- C. Senators
- D. Commissioners
Show answer
Answer: B. Band chiefs and councillors
Many First Nations have elected band chiefs and councillors who make decisions affecting their communities.Source: Discover Canada, “How Canadians Govern Themselves”
Question 7 · Government
A bill must be passed by both the House of Commons and the Senate before it can receive royal assent.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: A. True
Federal bills must pass both houses of Parliament and then receive royal assent to become law.Source: Discover Canada, “How Canadians Govern Themselves”
Question 8 · Government
Which three key facts describe Canada's system of government?
- A. A federal republic, a one-party state and a theocracy
- B. A unitary state, a republic and a direct democracy
- C. A confederacy, a presidential system and an absolute monarchy
- D. A federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy
Show answer
Answer: D. A federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy
Canada is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy.Source: Discover Canada, “How Canadians Govern Themselves”
Question 9 · Government
How are senators chosen?
- A. Elected in national elections
- B. Chosen by the Supreme Court
- C. Selected by provincial legislatures by vote
- D. Appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister
Show answer
Answer: D. Appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister
Senators are appointed, not elected; the Governor General appoints them on the Prime Minister's advice.Source: Discover Canada, “How Canadians Govern Themselves”
Question 10 · Government
Which level of government is responsible for national defence?
- A. Provincial
- B. Territorial
- C. Municipal
- D. Federal
Show answer
Answer: D. Federal
National defence is a federal responsibility.Source: Discover Canada, “How Canadians Govern Themselves”
Question 11 · Government
What is the main role of the Senate in the lawmaking process?
- A. To elect the Prime Minister
- B. To give sober second thought to bills passed by the House of Commons
- C. To enforce federal laws
- D. To appoint the Governor General
Show answer
Answer: B. To give sober second thought to bills passed by the House of Commons
The Senate reviews and debates bills from the House of Commons, offering careful second consideration.Source: Discover Canada, “How Canadians Govern Themselves”
Question 12 · Government
In the three territories, who represents the federal government?
- A. A Lieutenant Governor
- B. A Senator
- C. A Premier appointed by Ottawa
- D. A Commissioner
Show answer
Answer: D. A Commissioner
Each territory has a Commissioner who represents the federal government.Source: Discover Canada, “How Canadians Govern Themselves”
Question 13 · Government
Who represents the Sovereign in each province?
- A. The Lieutenant Governor
- B. The Premier
- C. The Commissioner
- D. The provincial Chief Justice
Show answer
Answer: A. The Lieutenant Governor
Each province has a Lieutenant Governor who represents the Sovereign.Source: Discover Canada, “How Canadians Govern Themselves”
Question 14 · Government
Which level of government is mainly responsible for education?
- A. Federal
- B. Provincial and territorial
- C. Municipal only
- D. First Nations band councils only
Show answer
Answer: B. Provincial and territorial
Education falls under provincial (and territorial) jurisdiction.Source: Discover Canada, “How Canadians Govern Themselves”
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