The three levels of Canadian politics: who's responsible for what?

Image Credit: Destination Toronto

When it comes to learning about politics and the Canadian political system, it is incredibly important for one to be able to distinguish between the three levels of government, the responsibilities that they each possess, as well as some of the key features that define them. The same can be said for those intending to become more informed about the political system in Canada and to maximize the value of their voice and their vote.

This edition of "Political Basics" seeks to differentiate between these levels and to discuss which each one consists of.

The federal government:

The federal government in Canada is responsible for creating policy that affects the entire country. These policies can range from determining tax benefits/credits to amending key codes and laws that define Canadian law.

The federal government is situated in Ottawa, the capital of Canada, and is comprised of three branches. These are the legislative (House of Commons and the Senate), executive (Prime Minister, Governor General, and Cabinet), and judicial branches (includes the Supreme Court of Canada alongside other federal, provincial, and local court systems).

The provincial government:

In Canada, provincial governments are primarily reponsible for issues like education and healthcare. Provinces are also capable of maintaining trade relations with other provinces, similar to how Canada can establish trade relations with another nation or group of nations.

There are 13 provincial and territorial governments, 10 of which belong to provinces and three of which are territorial governments. The locations of each provincial legislature are as follows:

Ontario (Toronto)

Quebec (Quebec City) New Brunswick (Fredericton) Newfoundland and Labrador (St John's) Nova Scotia (Halifax) Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown) Manitoba (Winnipeg) Saskatchewan (Regina) Alberta (Edmonton) British Columbia (Victoria) Yukon (Whitehorse) Northwest Territories (Yellowknife) Nunavut (Iqaluit)

The municipal government:

Municipal governments are located in Canada's cities and are responsible for addressing issues that may present themselves within their respective jurisdictions, which can include snow removal and transit. It is worth noting that municipal governments aren't entirely independent; Section 92(8) of the Constitution Act of 1867 states that municipalities and institutions are subject to provincial decision-making.