Canada's Federal System of Government

Federalism

Federalism is when power is shared between different levels of government, like the federal, provincial, and municipal governments.

Divisions of Power

This refers to how power to make and enforce laws is split between the federal and provincial governments.

Jurisdictions

These are the specific areas where different levels of government have authority. The Federal government deals with national issues, while Provincial governments handle regional matters.

Shared Powers

These are areas where both the Federal and Provincial governments have some control, like agriculture and immigration.

Residual Powers

These are powers that aren't specifically listed anywhere, typically given to the Federal government, especially for managing new technologies.

Who controls what?

This question looks at which level of government takes care of different areas, like education, police, and the military.

Why did Canada choose Federalism?

Canada opted for Federalism because of its diverse culture, geography, values, beliefs, economies, and global influences.

Federal Government Responsibilities

The Federal government is in charge of things like national defense, criminal law, international relations, and agriculture.

Provincial Government Responsibilities

Provincial governments handle things like education, highways, hospitals, and local police.

Municipal Government Responsibilities

Local governments take care of public transit, garbage collection, and land use planning.