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Electoral Systems

Canada Canada

ES001

Head of State
Question:How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s): f. Inherited monarchy with a Governor appointed by the Monarch
Comments: Canada is a constitutional monarchy and its head of state is His Majesty King Charles III, King of Canada. The monarch’s representative in Canada is the Governor General. In 1953, a Canadian law, the Royal Style and Titles Act, formally conferred upon Elizabeth II the title of "Queen of Canada", the first monarch to be separately proclaimed Sovereign of Canada. The proclamation reaffirmed the new monarch's position as Queen of Canada, independent from her role as Queen of the United Kingdom or other Commonwealth realms. This remains the case with King Charles III.
Source: Constitution Acts of Canada, 1867-1982, Art. 9-10; http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/PDF/CONST_E.pdf The Royal Style and Titles Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. R-12): http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/R-12/page-1.html
Verified: 2025/03/28
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES002

Head of Government
Question:How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer: d. Leader of the party which forms the government becomes Head of Government
Comments: The head of government is the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is the leader of the party that commands the majority of seats (in the case of a majority government), or commands a larger number of seats than any other party in the House of Commons (in the case of a minority government). The Prime Minister is not a Constitutional title or position; the authority of the Prime Minister comes from assuming the formal role of Governor in Council, the leader of the Monarch’s Privy Council.
Source: Constitution Acts of Canada, 1867-1982, Art. 11 http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/PDF/CONST_E.pdf
Verified: 2025/03/28
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES003

President
Question:Does the country have a president?
Answer: b. No
Comments:
Source: Constitution Acts of Canada, 1867-1982 http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/PDF/CONST_E.pdf
Verified: 2025/03/28
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES004

Number of Chambers
Question:The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer: b. Two chambers
Comments: There shall be One Parliament for Canada, consisting of the King, an Upper House styled the Senate, and the House of Commons. (Art. 17
Source: Constitution Acts of Canada, 1867-1982, Art. 17 http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/PDF/CONST_E.pdf
Verified: 2025/03/28
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES005

Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question:What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s): a. Plurality (FPTP)
Comments: The House of Commons seats 343 members elected by direct popular vote from ridings (constituencies) across Canada.
Source: Elections Canada: General Information: The Electoral System of Canada (http://www.elections.ca/res/ces/esoc_e.pdf) Constitution Acts of Canada, 1867-1982, Art. 37 http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/PDF/CONST_E.pdf Elections Canada News Releases and Media Advisories, December 19, 2011 http://elections.ca/content.aspx?section=med&document=dec1911&dir=pre&lang=e
Verified: 2025/03/28
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
The data on this page is continuously updated. Additional, but potentially outdated material is available here.