What kind of government does Canada have?

Canada's government is a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. This means that Canada, as a federation, is governed by both provincial and federal governments.

Canada's government has a prime minister, who is the senior member of the country's elected federal parliamentary democracy. The prime minister is the most powerful executive in Canada and provides leadership with the support of a cabinet that he selects.

The country's official head of state is British monarch Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen is the public face of the country, and she acts on advice of the constitutionally-elected government, which is why Canada's government also qualifies as a constitutional monarchy. The Queen also appoints the Governor General of Canada, a federal viceregal representative who is allowed to exercise most of her Royal Prerogative.