What are the responsibilities of the levels of government in Canada?
In accordance largely with the Constitution Act of 1867, the federal government handles such matters as • defence • criminal law • banking • postal system • foreign relations The federal government is also involved in many other areas including transportation, communication, immigration, health, and environmental matters. Provincial governments are constitutionally responsible for such matters as • civil justice • property • municipal institutions In practice, the provinces share responsibility with the federal government for such matters as: • health services • agriculture • immigration • social assistance • transportation Local governments are responsible for services within a city or region including: • schools • police and fire protection • water and sewage services • recreation • local public transportation How and when are elections held? By law, federal and provincial elections must be held at least every five years, although they can be called earlier. If a minority government
