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Canada: Government

Key Figures

Chief of State:
King Charles III represented by Governor General Mary Simon
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Justin Pierre James Trudeau

Overview

Government Name:
Canada
Constitution:
Adopted: 1986; The constitution is not written in one single document, but instead in a number of constitutional acts. These acts outline the system of government and civil rights of citizens and those in Canada.
Government Type:
Federal Parliamentary Democracy under a Constitutional Monarchy
Canada Flag
Coat of Arms of Canada

Index of Economic Freedom

Grades each country on a scale of 0 to 100, based on ten freedoms, with 100 representing the greatest amount of economic autonomy from government intervention. Source: Heritage Foundation (2023)

Country Risk Rating

A2
The political and economic situation is good. A basically stable and efficient business environment nonetheless leaves room for improvement. Corporate default probability is low on average. Source: Coface (2022)

Government Branches

Main Powers Election Process Election Cycle 1
Executive

The king is the ceremonial figure for the Canadian government. The governor-general performs the Monarch's federal constitutional duties, acting within the principles of parliamentary democracy and responsible government as a guarantor of continuous and stable governance. The prime minister advises the Canadian Monarch or viceroy. It exists only as per long-established convention. The QPC (Privy Council) act as personal consultants to the Monarch depending on their specific title names.

The king is hereditary. The governor-general is appointed by the king. The prime minister is appointed by the king. The QPC (Privy Council) is appointed by the governor-general.

Governor-General: at His Majesty's pleasure (normally 5 years); Prime Minister: at His Majesty's pleasure; QPC: Life
Judicial

The judiciary protects the freedom and rights of the citizens.

The chief justice and judges are appointed by the prime minister in council.

Mandatory retirement age of 75
Legislative

The senate tends to be less dominant than the house of commons. The approval of both houses is needed for legislation, but the senate rarely rejects bills passed by the directly elected commons.

The senate has 105 members who are appointed by the governor-general. The house of commons has 338 members who are elected by majority vote in single-member constituencies.

Senate: no terms are set and senators may serve until the age of 75; House of Commons: 4 years

Regional Trade Blocs
APEC
TPP
USMCA

International Organization Participation [2]

Environmental Agreements [3]

Tax Information [2]

Tax Authority:
Canada Revenue Agency
Tax Name:
GST

Sources:

  1. ElectionGuide http://www.electionguide.org/
  2. EY, http://www.ey.com
  3. CIA World Factbook, https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/
  4. U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/