Canada is an independent constitutional monarchy1 and has three levels of government: federal2, provincial3 and municipal4 (for cities and towns). The Federal Government has authority5 in areas not controlled by the provincial government and it can veto6 any provincial law. There is an independent7 judiciary8 system, and the highest court in the country is the Supreme Court.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
The Head of State is the Queen/King and she/he is represented by the Governor-General who is appointed9 for a term of five years on the recommendation10 of the Prime Minister.
The political party with the most elected members forms the government and its leader becomes the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister chooses the members of the Cabinet11. These Ministers will be heads of various government departments such as Defence, External Affairs, or Fisheries.
The Political part with the second largest number of members elected is called the Opposition and its leader is called the Leader of the Opposition. The duty of the Opposition is to criticize12 government policies in a useful way and to make suggestions to improve the laws.
a. House of Commons
The House of Commons has about 300 members who are elected13 by the people of Canada. Every province and territory has representation in the House of Commons. Elections can be held at any time within a five-year period. Some of the responsibilities of the House of Commons are Citizenship, Foreign Affairs, Defence, Banking, Indian Affairs, Trade, Indirect Taxation, and the National Economic Policy.
b. The Senate
The Senate has 104 members (but can have a maximum of 112), who are appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. A person can remain a member of the Senate until age 75. Laws, except for bills involving the raising and spending of public money, can be introduced in the Senate as well as in the House of Commons.
Reprinted from about Canada What You Need to Know to Become a Canadian Citizen. By Sheridan Anderson. Published by Bauhinea Press.
LANGUAGE NOTES
1. constitutional monarchy=a system of government in which the head of state is a king or queen but whose power is limited by a constitution受憲法約束的君主政體
2. federal=relating to the central government of a country有關聯邦的
3. Provincial=relating to the government of a province有關省的
4. municipal=relating to the government of a city or town有關市或鎮的
5. authority=power權力
6. veto=say no to否決
7. independent=not controlled or influenced by others獨立的
8. judiciary=a part of the government which is concerrned with justice and the legal system司法機關
9. appinted=chosen in a formal way被委任
10. recommendation=advice or suggestion推薦
11. Cabinet=the most important ministers of the government內閣
12. criticize=point out the faults or mistakes of批評
13. elected=chosen for an official position by voting透過選舉由人民選出來
