Canadian Visa Bureau   »   Moving to Canada   »  Canadian Government

Canadian Government

Canada is a democratic country run under a federal parliamentary system of government. The division of power rests between the federal government, based in Ottawa, and the 10 provincial or territory governments, based in the capital of each province/territory. Canada has 3 territories, all located in the north.

In Canada, the federal government is responsible for:

• National defence;
• Foreign policy; and
• Citizenship.

Provincial and territorial governments are responsible for:

• Education;
• Health care; and
• Highways.

The federal and provincial governments share responsibility in some areas, such as protecting the environment.

There is a third level of government known as municipal. Municipal governments manage:

• Policing;
• Fire fighting;
• Snow removal; and
• Recycling programs.

Canadian citizens vote in elections at all 3 of these levels.