Five Facts About Canada (part deux)

 1. Canada has two official languages, 

            English and French.

        Members of Parliament may use either language  

                during debates, and translation is provided.

2.  Canada’s provinces and territories

         may be categorized:

            Atlantic Provinces:

                        Nova Scotia, New Brunswick,

                        Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island

            Central Provinces:

                        Quebec, Ontario

            Western Privinces:

                        Manitoba, Saskatchewan

                        Alberta, British Columbia

            Territories:

                        Nunavut, Northwest Territories

                        Yukon

3. Canada is a constitutional monarchy.

            Queen Elizabeth II is the current monarch.

                        Her job is largely ceremonial.

            The Governor-General is her representative in Canada,

                 currently Haitian-born Michaëlle Jean (shown above).

                                    Madame Jean reviews troops, awards medals

                                                and opens parliament.

4. Canada is a parliamentary democracy

            with two legislative bodies:

                   House of Commons – elected (308 members)

                   Senate – appointed (little real power) (105 members)

5. The leader of the political party

         with the most members in the House of Commons

              is the Prime Minister.

                  He/she is the most powerful political figure in Canada.

                                    The current Prime Minister is Stephen Harper,

                                                leader of the Conservative Party.