criminal law. It deals also with appeals from
provides that judges of the provincial superior
decisions of the provincial courts of appeal.
courts, which have various names, and of the
The Rule of Law and the Courts
31
How Canadians Govern Themselves
The Institutions of Our
Federal Government
Canada?s System of Government
Parliament
Queen
Represented in Canada by the Governor General
Executive
Legislative
branch
branch
Senate
Appointed on the prime minister?s
recommendation
Prime minister
and cabinet
House of Commons
Elected by voters
Government members
Opposition members
Judiciary
Supreme Court of Canada
Nine judges appointed by the Governor General
Federal Court
Provincial courts of appeal
of Appeal
Provincial/territorial
Tax Court
Federal Court
superior courts
of Canada
of Canada
Provincial courts
32
The Institutions of Our Federal Government
By the Constitution Act, 1867, ?the executive
The Senate
government of and over Canada is declared
to continue and be vested in the Queen.?
The Senate usually has 105 members: 24 from
She acts, ordinarily through the Governor
the Maritime provinces (10 from Nova Scotia,
General, whom she appoints, on the advice of
10 from New Brunswick, four from Prince
the Canadian prime minister. The Governor
Edward Island); 24 from Quebec; 24 from
General normally holds offi
ce for fi ve years,
Ontario; 24 from the Western provinces (six
though the tenure may be extended for a year
each from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta
or so.
and British Columbia); six from Newfoundland
and Labrador; and one each from the Yukon
Territory, the Northwest Territories and
Parliament consists of the Queen, the Senate
Nunavut. There is provision also for four or eight
and the House of Commons.
extra senators to break a deadlock between the
Senate and the House: either one or two each
The Queen
from the Maritime region, Quebec, Ontario
The Queen is the formal head of the Canadian
and the West; but this has been used only once,
state. She is represented federally by the
in 1990.
Governor General, and provincially by the
lieutenant-governors. Federal acts begin: ?Her
The senators are appointed by the Governor
Majesty, by and with the advice and consent
General on the recommendation of the prime
of the Senate and the House of Commons,
minister. Senators must be at least 30 years old,
enacts as follows...?; acts in most provinces
and must have real estate worth $4,000 net, and
begin with similar words. Parliament (or
total net assets of at least $4,000. They must
the provincial legislature) meets only at the
reside in the province or territory for which they
