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Canada is a huge country, and each community has its own unique needs and interests. To
serve us most effectively, our government is split into three levels and each has its
own elected representatives.
Federal (which is responsible for the entire country), Provincial or territorial (responsible
for the province or territory) and Municipal (which represents your city or town).
Elected representatives are responsible for proposing, studying, debating, and voting
on bills -- which are potential laws. Elected representatives also spend their time meeting
with their constituents to discuss their concerns and to provide guidance and advice relating
to government services.
The federal government handles all matters of national and international concern, such
as national defence, foreign affairs, fisheries and oceans, currency, criminal law and public
safety. It is lead by the prime minister, who works with federal elected representatives
from across Canada called Members of Parliament, or MPs. MPs gather to debate legislation and
political decisions in the House of Commons in Ottawa.
Next is the provincial or territorial government, which is responsible for more regional issues,
like education, health care, natural resources and transportation and highways. The provincial
or territorial government is led by the Premier, who makes decisions based on input from provincial
elected representatives. In Ontario, the provincial elected representatives are called Members
of Provincial Parliament (or MPPs). MPPs meet at the Legislature at Queen's Park in Toronto.
Finally, there are municipal governments, which represent the interests of cities and
towns. They receive their powers from the province, and they are responsible for local
matters such as waste removal, libraries, city transit, and parks and recreation. Their
leader is called a Mayor or a Reeve, and they meet with city or town councillors to make
their decisions.
Many parts of your life are impacted by the various levels of government on an everyday
basis.