Government and Politics of Canada

Government Type

confederation with parliamentary democracy

Administrative Divisions

10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory*

Legal System

based on English common law, except in Quebec, where civil law system based on French law prevails; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: minimum of 3 of last 5 years resident in Canada

Executive Branch

chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022), represented by Governor General Mary SIMON (since 21 July 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Mark CARNEY (since 14 March 2025) cabinet: Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister, typically from among members of his own party sitting in Parliament elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a five-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition in the House of Commons is designated prime minister by the governor general

Legislative Branch

Bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Sénat (105 seats; members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister and serve until reaching 75 years of age) and the House of Commons or Chambre des Communes (338 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve for up to five-year terms). Elections: House of Commons - last held 20 September 2021 (next to be held no later than 20 October 2025). Election results: House of Commons - percent of vote by party - Liberal Party 32.6%, Conservative Party 33.7%, New Democratic Party 17.8%, Bloc Québécois 7.6%, Green Party 2.3%, other 6%; seats by party - Liberal Party 159, Conservative Party 119, New Democratic Party 25, Bloc Québécois 32, Green Party 2, other 1.

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court of Canada (judges are appointed by the prime minister through the governor general); Federal Court of Canada; Federal Court of Appeal; Provincial Courts (these are named variously Court of Appeal, Court of Queens Bench, Superior Court, Supreme Court, and Court of Justice)

Political Parties

Bloc Quebecois [Gilles DUCEPPE]; Conservative Party of Canada (a merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party) [Stephen HARPER]; Green Party [Jim HARRIS]; Liberal Party [Paul MARTIN]; New Democratic Party [Jack LAYTON]

Head of State

King CHARLES III, represented by Governor General Mary SIMON

Head of Government

Prime Minister Mark CARNEY

Cabinet

Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister usually from among the members of his own party sitting in Parliament

Elections

House of Commons - last held 20 September 2021 (next to be held no later than 20 October 2025).

Election Results

House of Commons - percent of vote by party - Liberal Party 43.7%, Conservative Party 41.3%, New Democratic Party 6.3%, Bloc Québécois 6.3%, Green Party 1.2%, other 1.2%; seats by party - Liberal Party 169, Conservative Party 144, New Democratic Party 7, Bloc Québécois 23, Green Party 1, other 0. The most recent federal election was held on April 28, 2025, resulting in a Liberal minority government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Constitution

17 April 1982 (Constitution Act); originally, the machinery of the government was set up in the British North America Act of 1867; charter of rights and unwritten customs

Independence

1 July 1867 (from UK)

National Holiday

Canada Day, 1 July (1867)

International Organization Participation

ACCT, AfDB, APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CDB, CE (observer), EAPC, EBRD, ESA (cooperating state), FAO, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MICAH, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNMIK, UNMOVIC, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Michael WILSON chancery: 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001 telephone: [1] (202) 682-1740 FAX: [1] (202) 682-7701 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco, Seattle consulate(s): Anchorage, Houston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Raleigh, San Diego

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador David H. WILKINS embassy: 490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8 mailing address: P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburgh, NY 13669-0430 telephone: [1] (613) 238-5335, 4470 FAX: [1] (613) 688-3082 consulate(s) general: Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg

Capital City

Ottawa

Location

45 25 N, 75 42 W

Time Difference

UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Canada has six time zones

History

the city lies on the south bank of the Ottawa River, from which it derives its name; the river name comes from the Algonquin word "adawe" meaning "to trade" and refers to the indigenous peoples who used the river as a trade highway

U.S. Embassy 490 Sussex Drive, K1N 1G8 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Telephone: (613) 238-5335 Emergency after-hours telephone: (613) 238-5335 Facsimile: (613) 688-3082 Email: OttawaACS@state.gov The Embassy's consular district includes Ottawa, Eastern Ontario (Kingston, Lanark, Leeds, Prescott, Refrew, Russell, and Stormont), and those parts of Quebec near Ottawa (Outaouais and Abitibi-Témiscamingues). U.S. Consulates General are located in: Calgary, Alberta 615 Macleod Trail SE, 10th Floor Telephone: (403) 266-8962 Emergency after-hours telephone: (403) 266-8962 then press '0' Facsimile: (403) 263-2241 Email: Calgary-ACS@state.gov The consular district includes Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories, excluding Nunavut. Halifax, Nova Scotia Upper Water Street, Suite 904, Purdy's Wharf Tower II Telephone: (902) 429-2480 Emergency after-hours telephone: (902) 429-2485 Facsimile: (902) 423-6861 Email: Halifax-ACS@state.gov The consular district includes New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and the French islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon. Montreal, Quebec 1155 rue St. Alexandre Telephone: (514) 398-9695 Emergency after-hours telephone: (514) 981-5059 Facsimile: (514) 398-9748 Email: Montreal-ACS@state.gov The consular district includes Greater Montreal and the regions of Southern Quebec Province (Laurentides, Lanaudiere, Laval, Montreal, Montregie, Estrie, and the southern parts of Centre-du-Quebec), including Joliete, Drummondville, and Sherbrooke. Quebec City, Quebec 2 rue de la Terrasse Dufferin Telephone: (418) 692-2095 Emergency after-hours telephone: (418) 692-2096 Facsimile: (418) 692-4640 Email: QuebecACS@state.gov The consular district includes Quebec City and those regions of Quebec Province to the North and East of the Montreal and Ottawa Districts (indicated above), plus the Territory of Nunavut. Toronto, Ontario 360 University Avenue (please note that consular clients must enter the Consulate at 225 Simcoe Street) Telephone: (416) 595-1700 Emergency Telephone: During working hours: (416) 595-6506 After hours: (416) 201-4100 American Citizen Services Telephone: (416) 595-6501 Facsimile: (416) 595-5466 Email: torontopassport@state.gov The consular district includes the province of Ontario except for the counties of Kingston, Lanark, Leeds, Prescott, Refrew, Russell, and Stormont, which are served by the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa. Vancouver, British Columbia 1095 West Pender Street (please note that consular clients must enter the Consulate at 1075 West Pender Street) Telephone: (604) 685-4311 Facsimile: (604) 685-7175 Email: VancouverACS@state.gov The consular district includes British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. Winnipeg, Manitoba 201 Portage Street, Suite 860 Telephone: (204) 940-1800 Facsimile: (204) 940-1809 The consulate provides only emergency services for U.S. citizens in distress; it does not provide consular services. Manitoba-related consular matters such as visas, passports, and notarials are handled at other U.S. Consulates General, primarily Calgary.

Military Branches

Canadian Forces: Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force, Canada Command (homeland security)

Service Age and Obligation

17 years of age for voluntary male and female military service (with parental consent); 16 years of age for Reserve and Military College applicants; Canadian citizenship or permanent residence status required; maximum 34 years of age; service obligation 3-9 years