Type of Government:
Canada is a parliamentary democracy, a federation, and a constitutional monarchy (UK) Canada has a constitution and their own legal system separate from the United Kingdom. Independence: July 1, 1867 (Union of British North American colonies): Celebrate this day as Independence Day, or Canada Day December 11, 1931 (Recognized by UK per Statue of Westminster) |
Citizenship:
Birthright citizenship Dual citizenship is recognized by Canada's government Voting: Universal (both males and females are allowed to vote) Voting age is 18 |
Executive Branch:
Head of Government: Prime Minister (Current is Justin Trudeau - Liberal Party - since Oct. 20, 2015)
Cabinet: Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister usually from among members of his own party sitting in Parliament Elections/Appointments:
Political Parties: Bloc Quebecois [Gilles Duceppe] Conservative Party of Canada [Stephen Harper] Green Party [Elizabeth May] Liberal Party [Justin Trudeau] New Democratic Party [Thomas Mulcair] Note the names listed are from the 2015 election |
Legislative Branch:
Description: Bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (105 seats; members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister and can serve until age 75) and the House of Commons (338 seats; members are directly elected in the single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve a maximum of a 4-year term)
Elections: House of Commons - last held on Oct. 19, 2015 (next held in 2019) Election results (2015):
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Judicial Branch:
Highest Court(s): Supreme Court of Canada (consists of the Chief Justice and 8 judges)
Note: in 1949, Canada finally abolished all appeals beyond its Supreme Court to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) Judge Selection and term of office: Chief Justice and judges are appointed by the prime minister in council. All judges are appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 75. Subordinate Courts:
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