The monarchy

Canada's political structure can be described as both a constitutional monarchy and an independent democratic system. In Canada, the head of state is Queen Elizabeth II. But while all government actions are carried out in her name, it is in fact the people of Canada, through their elected representatives, who have the authority to act.

The Queen delegates her duties—which are mainly ceremonial—to the governor general for matters concerning Canada as a whole, to the lieutenant-governors for the provinces and to the commissioners for the territories.

The Canadian Coat of Arms

The governor general holds the highest position in the Canadian parliamentary system. It is the governor general's responsibility to summon the House of Commons and the Senate, to give royal assent to all federal laws passed by the Houses, to open and end sessions of Parliament, and to dissolve Parliament before an election.