Canada, behind the stage

Description of its government and political system

Canada is a parliamentary democracy. The Constitution Act, 1867 forms the basis of Canada’s written constitution. It states that there will be one Parliament for Canada, consisting of three distinct elements: the Crown, the Senate and the House of Commons. However, as a federal state, responsibility to make laws in Canada is shared among one federal, ten provincial and three territorial governments:

British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Yukon Territory, the North West Territories

In Canada, there are 3 levels of government. Each level of government has different responsibilities.

First of all, there is the federal government (the Government of Canada) who is responsible for things that affect the whole country, such as citizenship and immigration, national defence and trade with other countries. The federal government is represented by the Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada and led by the House of Commons, the prime minister and the senate.

Next, there is the provincial and territorial governments (for example, the Province of Ontario), responsible for such things as education, health care and highways. At this level, the Lieutenant Governor represents the Queen and the Legislative Assembly makes law, represented of Members of Provincial Parliament. The political party that has the largest number of MPPs forms the government, and its leader becomes premier. The premier is the head of government in Ontario.

To end, there is the municipal (local) governments (ex: cities, towns, and villages in Ontario), responsible for firefighting, city streets and other local matters. If there is no local government, the province provides services.

The major political parties in Canada are the Liberals, the Progressive Conservatives, the New Democratic Party, the Reform party, and the Bloc Quebecois.

The current Prime is Stephen Harper. He leads the conservative party and was elected in 2006.

Canada, on the international stage

Canada is part from LENA, a free exchanges agreement between USA, Canada and Mexico that allow them to reduce or even cancel tariffs upon their products, services and financial flows. The agreement was filled in 1994 and set up one of the biggest free exchange area.

Canada is a developed country and one of the wealthiest in the world: it is the eleventh-largest economy in the world. It is a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Group of Eight (G8). Service industry is a major part from its economy, which employs about three quarters of Canadians. Meanwhile the primary sector remains important with the logging and oil industries. Automobile industry and aircraft industry are especially important.in Canadian industry. It is also one of the global leaders of the entertainment software industry.

As an economic power, it plays a major role in the global exchanges.  With a long coast line, Canada has the 8th largest commercial fishing and seafood industry in the world.