加拿大政府与政治系统

Canada is a constitutional monarchy, the monarchy of Canada being the foundation of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

The executive government is vested in the Queen of Canada. Since Canada is a member state of the Commonwealth, so the Queen of Canada is also the Queen of Great Britain. The powers of the Crown are normally exercised in the Queen's name by the Governor General. That is to say, the Governor General of Canada is the Queen's representative, and he carries out most of the federal royal duties in Canada.

However, the direct participation of the royal and viceroyal figures in areas of governance is limited. In practice, their use of the executive powers is directed by the Cabinet. The Cabinet is composed of 40 members, and is responsible to the elected House of Commons and chosen and headed by the Prime Minister of Canada. The members of the Cabinet must speak as one on all questions of government policy; a minister who cannot support that policy must resign. Generally, the Cabinet as a whole is answerable to the House for government policy and administration.

The Canada Act divides government responsibilities between the federal government and the provinces. Canada has one federal government, ten provincial governments and three territories. The federal government is located in Ottawa. Among the main responsibilities of the federal government are defense, trade and commerce, transportation, telecommunications, etc. In addition, the federal government is endowed with a residual authority in matters beyond those specifically assigned to the provincial legislatures, including the power to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of Canada. Provincial political institutions and constitutional usages mirror those operating at the federal level.

Federal legislative authority is vested in the Parliament of Canada, which consists of the sovereign(governor-general), the House of Commons, and the Senate. The Senate is the upper house, and the House of Commons is the lower house. The two houses must pass all legislative bills before they can receive royal assent and become law. Both bodies may originate legislation, but financial bills must originate in the Commons. Private bills, most of which are non-political, usually originate in the Senate. On occasion, the Senate provides a forum for debate on important social and economic issues of the day.

Canadian courts of law are independent bodies. Each provincial court has its right of appeal. The Federal Court has civil and criminal jurisdictions with appeal and trial divisions. Most judges are appointed by the governor-general in council, and their salaries, allowances, and pensions are fixed and paid by the federal Parliament. Judges serve in office until age 75.