The Canadian Political System
Canada is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. The Canadian Parliament consists of the lower house (House of Commons) and the upper house (Senate). Whereas the House of Commons has 308 elected members, the Senate has 105 members who are appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The British Sovereign is the formal head of state who is represented by the Governor General on Canadian soil. Currently, David Johnston holds this office. The Prime Minister, who normally is the leader of the party with the largest number of seats in the House of Commons and also head of Parliament, is the head of government. At present, Stephen Harper, the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, is the Canadian Prime Minister. The Prime Minister decides on the ministers and their ministries and defines the main policy directions.
The motto of the Canadian Constitution guiding government policy is “peace, order and good government”. The Cabinet is responsible to the House of Commons and develops government policy. The Government of Canada performs its duties through the intermediary of the federal departments and agencies, boards, commissions and state-owned corporations.