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The levels of government in Canada, explained

Canada has three main levels of government: federal (for the whole country), provincial or territorial, and municipal (local). The official study guide, Discover Canada, also explains that Canada is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, and that First Nations have band chiefs and councillors.

Checked against canada.ca on November 1, 2026. Rules can change, so confirm on canada.ca before you act.

Three key facts about Canada’s government

Discover Canada sums up the system in three ideas. Canada is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy.Discover Canada, How Canadians Govern Themselves › How Canadians Govern Themselves, p. 28 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

Canada has federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments. The split of responsibilities between the federal and provincial governments was set out in 1867 in the British North America Act. Today that law is called the Constitution Act, 1867.Discover Canada, How Canadians Govern Themselves › Federal State, p. 28 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

Because Canada is a federal state, provinces can choose policies that suit their own people and try out new ideas.Discover Canada, How Canadians Govern Themselves › Federal State, p. 28 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

Federal government: the whole country

The federal government deals with national and international matters. The guide lists these:Discover Canada, How Canadians Govern Themselves › Federal State, p. 28 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

Provincial and territorial governments

Provinces look after education, health, natural resources, highways, property and civil rights, and municipal government. They share agriculture and immigration with the federal government.Discover Canada, How Canadians Govern Themselves › Federal State, p. 28 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

Each province has an elected Legislative Assembly, similar to the House of Commons in Ottawa. The three northern territories are not provinces, but their governments and assemblies do many of the same jobs.Discover Canada, How Canadians Govern Themselves › Federal State, p. 28 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

Provincial and territorial laws are passed in an elected legislature. Depending on where you live, its members are called MLAs (Legislative Assembly), MNAs (National Assembly), MPPs (Provincial Parliament) or MHAs (House of Assembly).Discover Canada, How Canadians Govern Themselves › Constitutional Monarchy, p. 28 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

A provincial legislature is made up of the Lieutenant Governor and the elected Assembly. In each province, the Premier’s role is similar to the Prime Minister’s role in the federal government.Discover Canada, How Canadians Govern Themselves › Parliamentary Democracy, p. 28 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)Discover Canada, How Canadians Govern Themselves › Constitutional Monarchy, p. 28 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

Municipal (local) government and First Nations band councils

Municipal (local) governments usually have a council, which usually includes a mayor (or a reeve) and councillors or aldermen. The council passes local laws called by-laws, which apply only in that community.Discover Canada, Federal Elections › Other Levels of Government in Canada, p. 32 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

Municipalities are usually in charge of local services such as streets and roads, urban or regional planning, garbage and snow removal, public transit, firefighting, ambulances and other emergency services, recreation facilities, and some local health and social services. Most large cities have their own police.Discover Canada, Federal Elections › Other Levels of Government in Canada, p. 32 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

First Nations have band chiefs and councillors. They have major responsibilities on First Nations reserves, such as housing, schools and other services.Discover Canada, Federal Elections › Other Levels of Government in Canada, p. 32 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

Several Aboriginal organizations, at the provincial, regional and national level, speak for First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in their dealings with federal, provincial and territorial governments.

The Sovereign, Governor General, Lieutenant Governors and Commissioners

Canada is a constitutional monarchy. Its head of state is a hereditary Sovereign (King or Queen) who reigns according to the Constitution.Discover Canada, How Canadians Govern Themselves › Constitutional Monarchy, p. 28 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

The head of state and the head of government are different people. The Sovereign is the head of state. The head of government is the Prime Minister, who actually runs the country.

Voting at every level

People elect members to the House of Commons and to the provincial and territorial legislatures. These elected members pass laws, approve and watch over spending, and hold the government to account.Discover Canada, How Canadians Govern Themselves › Parliamentary Democracy, p. 28 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

The guide says it is important for Canadians aged 18 or older to vote in federal, provincial or territorial, and municipal elections. Provincial, territorial and municipal elections use a secret ballot, but their rules are different from federal rules.Discover Canada, How Canadians Govern Themselves › How a bill becomes law — The Legislative Process, p. 28 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)Discover Canada, Federal Elections › Other Levels of Government in Canada, p. 32 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

To review this topic, read our plain-English study notes at /discover-canada/how-canadians-govern-themselves, then test yourself with the free chapter quiz at /chapters/how-canadians-govern-themselves.

Common questions

What are the 3 levels of government in Canada?
Federal, provincial or territorial, and municipal (local). Discover Canada lists federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments.Discover Canada, How Canadians Govern Themselves › Federal State, p. 28 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)
Who is the head of state in Canada?
The Sovereign (the King or Queen) is Canada’s head of state. The head of government is a different person: the Prime Minister.Discover Canada, How Canadians Govern Themselves › Constitutional Monarchy, p. 28 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)
What is the difference between the Prime Minister and the Governor General?
The Governor General represents the Sovereign in Canada. The head of government is the Prime Minister, who directs how the country is governed. The Sovereign appoints the Governor General on the Prime Minister’s advice.Discover Canada, How Canadians Govern Themselves › Constitutional Monarchy, p. 28 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)
What does the provincial government do in Canada?
Provinces look after education, health, highways, natural resources, property and civil rights, and municipal government. They share agriculture and immigration with the federal government.Discover Canada, How Canadians Govern Themselves › Federal State, p. 28 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)
What does municipal government do?
A municipal council passes by-laws for the local community. Municipalities usually handle things like streets and roads, garbage and snow removal, firefighting, emergency services, recreation facilities and public transit.Discover Canada, Federal Elections › Other Levels of Government in Canada, p. 32 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)
Who represents the Sovereign in each province?
The Lieutenant Governor. The Governor General appoints each Lieutenant Governor on the advice of the Prime Minister.Discover Canada, How Canadians Govern Themselves › Constitutional Monarchy, p. 28 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)