In order to provide a more efficient way of governing Canada and looking after the needs of her people, our government is divided into three levels:

FEDERAL: looks after the needs of all Canadians

PROVINCIAL: looks after the needs of people in each

province

MUNICIPAL: looks after the needs of people in each city or

community

With each of these levels there are powers, therefore each level of government has three branches:

EXECUTIVE: the people in charge (P.M., Premier, etc.)

LEGISLATIVE: the power to make laws and regulations

(parliament)

JUDICIAL: the power to punish those who break the laws

(courts)

Executive BranchLegislative Branch

Judicial Branch

Carries out the plans and policies of the government

Power to suggest laws Power to enforce, administer, or carry out

laws Federal level: made up of the prime

minister, the cabinet, and the public service.

Provincial level: made up of the premier, the cabinet, and the provincial public service.

Power to make or change laws Also known as “parliament” At the provincial level, the parliament is

usually called the legislature or the legislative assembly.

Only Ontario refers to its provincial representatives as “MPP” (Member of Provincial Parliament). Most other provinces use the term “MLA” (Member of the Legislative Assembly)

Part of government that deals with the law. In Canada, this branch is separate from the

other two branches, ensuring that Parliament and its members are not above the law.

The power to interpret laws and the power to punish law breakers.

Made up of the courts and judges. They determine if people charged with

crimes are guilty or innocent and decide on punishments for those found guilty.