Laws and Government
Canadians vote for people to represent them in the federal, provincial, and local governments. The people who get the most votes become our elected representatives. It is their job to make the laws. Most elected representatives try to do what they think is best. They want to know what Canadian people think.
Most of them try to speak to the citizens they represent. People also give their opinions at public meetings and at meetings of citizens’ groups.
When enough Canadians are unhappy with any of their governments, they vote for other representatives and change the government.
Levels of Government
In Canada, there are three levels of government: federal, provincial, and municipal.
We have a federal government for the whole country. The elected representatives of the federal government are Members of Parliament, often called MPs. They meet in Parliament in Ottawa. The leader of the federal government is called the Prime Minister.
British Columbia also has a provincial government. The elected representatives of the provincial government are Members of the Legislative Assembly, often called MLAs. They meet at the legislature in Victoria. The leader of the provincial government is called the Premier.
There is also the municipal (city or town) government. The elected representatives are called councillors. They meet at city hall or town hall. The leader of the municipal government is called the Mayor.
Did you know? Canada has never had a revolution. We became an independent country through slow, peaceful change.
Canada Has a Queen 
Queen Elizabeth II, who lives in Britain, is the Queen of Canada. The elected representatives now have the political power in Canada, but by keeping the Queen as the head of our country, we remember Canada’s history.
Canadians often say “The Queen” to mean the elected government of Canada and all of its laws. This is because the Queen and her representative in Canada, the Governor-General, are the symbolic head of Canada. All new Canadians promise to be loyal to the Queen and her laws.
The federal government makes all laws in Canada in the Queen’s name.