
Canada is a prosperous progressive country. The people are highly educated and the standard of living is one of the best in the developed countries of the world. The standard of care in the Canadian medical system is also very high. The Canadian experience is one that has a good reputation throughout the world. If you are planning to move to Canada to find work and become a permanent resident, it is a good idea to know a bit about the country and how the people live so that your transition will be smooth.
Government
Canada has a Westminster style of parliamentary democracy. Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom is the Canadian Monarch and Queen of Canada. She is the head of the government and is considered the unifying factor of the Canadian government that includes executive, legislative and judicial branches. The three branches of government are also called the Queen-in-Council (the executive branch), the Queen-in-Parliament (the legislative branch), and the Queen on the Bench (the judicial branch).
The Constitution Act of 1867 set the government up as a constitutional monarchy. The Queen is the head of government, but the various ministries act actually run the country. The laws governing Canada are outlined in their constitution and the Governor General, appointed by the Queen, has the duty of standing in for the Queen and overseeing the government. The actual participation in the day to day governing of the country by the Queen is fairly limited and instead falls upon the Governor General, the Prime Minister who is elected by the people, and the three branches of the Canadian government.
The Governor General appoints the members of the upper house of parliament and the lower house members are elected by the people. The parliament sits in Ontario, the nation’s capital. The judicial branch is very similar to that of the United States. Nine members are appointed by the Governor General and are overseen by the Chief Justice.