Understanding the Canadian System of Governance: A Detailed Study

This essay provides an overview of the Canadian system of governance, which operates as a federal parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy. The system is characterized by a division of powers between the Queen of Canada (represented by the Governor General), the Senate, and the House of Commons, where elected members of parliament determine the Prime Minister. The essay critiques the hereditary nature of the head of state, arguing it represents a form of elective dictatorship by denying citizens the right to directly elect this position. While acknowledging the proper exercise of power through parliament and provincial legislatures, the essay suggests reforms to allow broader citizen participation in electing top leaders and advocates for constitutional amendments to address the perceived democratic deficit in the selection of the head of state. The analysis also touches on the bicameral political system and the role of party governance in both houses, ultimately concluding that reforms are needed to enhance democratic participation and ensure that all qualified Canadians have the opportunity to hold the highest office.

Running head: CANADIAN SYSTEM OF GOVERNANCE
Canadian System of Governance
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Canada is a federal parliamentary democracy within constitutional monarchy and with a
political system that was founded on the UK’s system. It is composed of the Queen of Canada,
who officially represented by the Governor General in the Senate House of Commons. As stated,
members of parliament are elected through ballot while heredity determines the monarch or head
of state. Any party that garners the majority members automatically becomes the prime minister
(Bernier, Brownsey & Howlett, 2016). At the executive level, the prime minister serves as the
head thus head of the government of the day.
In many nations all over the world, head of states is always elected through ballots by
citizens who are eligible to vote. In this case, they are being given the right to determine who
shall be the head of their respective states. However, in Canada, it is not practical; the head of
state inherits the power from within the family lineage. As stated in the above paragraph, Canada
practices parliamentary democracy politics and decides on who becomes the head of the
executive arm of government. Denying the citizen the right to chose or elect who becomes the
head of state is a form of elective dictatorship since their will cannot be felt nor expressed
through the electoral process. Everything may work well in terms of how things are managed in
the states; however, there are some who feel that something needs to be done to the constitution
to make things different and allow citizens elect both the head of state as well as the prime
minister, but not through parliamentarians. Failure of citizens to directly participate in electing
the top leaders such as the head of state and leader of government is an indication of elective
dictatorship, and the system should be reformed either through a constitutional amendment.
Power is exercised in Canada through parliament where parliamentarians make laws that
govern the country. However, they do not make rules in subjects that are assigned to the
legislatures of the provinces (Peach & Romanow, 2014). Legislatures at the provincial level have

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power over direct taxation. Subject to the restrictions imposed by the Constitution Act, 1982, the
provinces can make changes on their own constitutions by a normal Act of the legislature
(Jackson, 2017). Power is exercised correctly in respect to the rule of law. However, the
constitutional monarchy makes it look more like dictatorial. Any Canadian is not allowed to hold
the highest state office since the head of state is determined by a familial descent up-to-date. This
is strange, and it should be changed to allow anybody who qualifies to run for the post of the
head of state through the electoral process. On the other hand, the political system is also
bicameral where both houses (lower and upper) are firmly party governed (Forsey & Canada,
2016). The lower house is justifiably very party allied which ensures checks and balances to the
ruling party. However, it confines personal participation from implementing their lawmaking
skills which at times might stand at out of the ordinary with their relevant political parties.
In my view, the current system which is elective dictatorship should be reformed to allow
every Canadian with capacity to hold the highest office participate through electoral process.

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References
Bernier, L., Brownsey, K., & Howlett, M. (2016). Executive Styles in Canada: Cabinet
Structures and Leadership Practices in Canadian Government. Toronto: University of
Toronto Press.
Peach, I., & Romanow, R. J. (2014). Constructing Tomorrows Federalism: New Perspectives on
Canadian Governance. Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press.
JACKSON, D. M. I. C. H. A. E. L. (2017). CROWN AND CANADIAN FEDERALISM. S.l.:
READHOWYOUWANT COM LTD.
Forsey, E. A., & Canada. (2016). How Canadians govern themselves.