Canadian Government

Type: Confederation with parliamentary democracy. Canada is a constitutional monarchy with a federal system, a parliamentary government, and strong democratic traditions.

Independence: July 1, 1867.

Branches: Executive--Queen Elizabeth II (head of state represented by a governor general), prime minister (head of government), cabinet.

Legislative--bicameral Parliament (301-member House of Commons, 105-seat Senate). Judicial--Supreme Court.



Principal Government Officials Head of State--Queen Elizabeth II
Governor General--Adrienne Clarkson
Prime Minister--Jean Chretien
Minister of Foreign Affairs--Lloyd Axworthy
Ambassador to the United States--Raymond Chretien (after September 2000: Michael Kergin)
Ambassador to the United Nations--Robert Fowler (after September 2000: Paul Heinbecker)