Canada's Government

Unit 9: All About Canada | Government and Economy

• ​Officially, Canada's government is defined as a "Constitutional Monarchy". Because​ despite being an independent nation, Canada still has close government ties with the United Kingdom.

• Technically, the Queen of England is the head of state in Canada. She does play some role in Canada's government, but still has little real power. ​

• The Queen appoints a "Governor General" too look out for the UK's interest in Canada.

​Canada's Government Today: Part 1 | What is a "Constitutional Monarchy"?

• ​Today, Canada's government functions mostly like a parliamentary democracy.

• Citizens are able to vote for members of parliament at age 18​ in only one legislative house of Canada's parliament known as the House of Commons.

• The Governor General (appointed by the Queen of England), appoints all members to the other house of ​Canada's parliament known as the "Senate".

• Then, the majority political party in both the Senate and House of Commons appoint the Prime Minister. ​

Multiple Choice

Select the correct role the United Kingdom's monarch (the Queen of England) plays in Canada's government today.

• The Queen is the Governor General of Canada as well. Meaning she works just under the Prime Minister sort of like the vice president in the US.

• Rather than members of Parliament, The Queen actually chooses Canada's Prime Minister.

• The Queen plays no active role in Canada's government any longer. She is more of an advisor to them if anything.

• The Queen chooses the Governor General to serve in Canada's Parliament and look after the interests of the UK as well.

Canada's Government Today: Part 2 | What about the rights of the provinces, territories, and citizens?

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• ​​Governments of the provinces in Canada today function much like states do in the US.

• ​Provinces are free to set their own taxes, manage natural resources, and run hospitals, schools, and prisons.

• Each province has its own legislature and leader, known as a "Premier". However, the Queen also has a representative in each province known as a "Lieutenant Governor". ​

• As for the territories, they are not free to do any of the things a province can. Even though they have local governments, they are ultimately managed by Canada's parliament. ​

• ​Today both the federal and province governments afford Canadians many rights written out in their Constitution known as the "Charter of Rights".

• Canadians can vote (at 18)​, they have freedom of speech, assembly, media, religion, also the right to communicate with the government in French or English!

Multiple Choice

How do provinces function in Canada?

• Much like states do in the US. They set taxes and manage infrastructure hospitals, natural resources, school, prisons, etc.

• Provinces have little power of their own. Most provinces are under the direct control of Canada's parliament.

• Canada's provinces actually have more power than Canada's Parliament. They determine who is Prime Minister and select the Governor General as well.

• Each province in Canada functions differently. Some have lots of power and independence, while others depend on Parliament for nearly everything.

​How does Canada's economy compare to the world, the US, Latin American, and European countries we've studied?

• ​​Canadians have a high standard of living. Their GDP per capita is $47,000.

• Canada's economy is about 79% free market and 21%​ command. Canada emphasizes technology and industry like the US.

• However, 90% of Canada's land is government owned and healthcare is also regulated through the government and taxes. ​(In the US citizens buy private insurance, and 90% of the land is owned by the people).

COUNTRY​	​GDP PER CAPITA (2019)
​United States	$57,000​
​Australia	$49,000​
Germany​	​$48,000
​CANADA	​$47,000
United Kingdom​	​$42,000
Russia​	​$26,000
Mexico​	$19,000​
(World Average)	$17,000​
​Brazil	​$15,000
Cuba​	$12,000​

Multiple Choice

Which of the following accurately describes Canada's economy?

• -79% market/21% command.

  -Government owns most of the land.

  -Roughly $47,000 GDP per capita.

• -21% market/79% command.

  -Citizens own most of the land.

  -Roughly $20,000 GDP per capita.

• -50% market/50% command.

  -Land ownership is split between government and citizens.

  -Roughly $57,000 GDP per capita.

• -67% market/33% command.

  -United Kingdom controls Canada's land.

  -Roughly $35,000 GDP per capita.

​How is Canada growing their GDP and economy?​

• ​​Canada's biggest GDP growth factor is by far natural resources. Many Canadians work in the natural resource sector​. Canada ranks in the top-5 for worldwide forestry land​, metals, minerals, fresh water, fish, and wheat, and other resources. 

• ​Canada also invests in human capital by pouring billions of tax dollars into tech/trade schools, universities, and public schools.

• Canada has also begun investing in capital goods by improving factories and machinery to become more efficient and environmentally clean.

• Lastly, Canada is friendly to entrepreneurs. On average it takes only 2 days to open a business. ​

​What are Canada's specializations?

• ​As you know, Canada specializes most in a wide variety of natural resources, particularly wood and fish. But there Canada specializes in other things as well to try and diversify their economy.

• ​Thanks to the country's investment in human capital, Canada is also the world's third largest producer in video-game software.

• Fun fact, do not write....Ubisoft (pictured bottom-right) is the biggest video-game producer in the world. Ubisoft has most of its offices in Canada and France.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT one of Canada's top specializations today?

• Fishing

• Fruits and Vegetables

• Timber/Lumber

• Video Games