The Levels of Government

Federal

Provincial

Municipal

Canada has a Federal System of government.

What does this mean?

We have more than one level of government!

In fact, we have 3:FederalProvincialMunicipal

The Federal Government

This is the level of government that is responsible for issues that are important to all Canadians. These are issues that are best handled nationally.

The federal government is lead by the Prime Minister and is based in the capital city of Canada, Ottawa.

The federal government has three key components: The House of Commons The Senate The Governor General

The Provincial Government

This is the level of government that is responsible for issues that are important in one province or territory. These are usually issues that are best handled locally.

The provincial government is lead by the Premier and is based in the capital city of each province (in BC, that would be Victoria).

The provincial government has two key components: The Legislative Assembly The Lieutenant Governor

The Municipal Government

This is the level of government that is responsible for issues that are important in one town or city.

The municipal government is lead by the Mayor.

The municipal government has one key component: The city or town council

*It is important to remember that many Aboriginal bands have their own form of local government. This is lead by a Chief and a Band Council.

The three levels of government have different

responsibilities!

What is the federal government responsible for?

National DefenceForeign PolicyAboriginal AffairsPostal ServicesBanking SystemCriminal LawMarriage and Divorce LawFederal Prisons

What is the provincial government responsible for?

EducationHealth Services and HospitalsLicencesHighwaysProvincial Police and PrisonsProvincial CourtsCharities

The federal and provincial governments also share some responsibilities:

ImmigrationAgricultureHealth CareNatural ResourcesEnvironmental Issues

What is the municipal government responsible for?

Garbage CollectionSewage TreatmentWater SupplyEstablishment of SchoolsFire Protection

Residual Powers

•At the time of Confederation (1867), the people who created Canada decided that all residual (leftover) powers should be left to the federal government.

•This is why the federal government is also responsible for

• Telecommunications• Information Services