What is special about the Canadian government? Why do we need it?
In Canada we are a democratic constitutional monarchy, with a Sovereign as head of State and an elected Prime Minister as head of Government. We share a president with the United states, and have our own Prime Minister, Steven Harper.
We have the house of Commons in Ottawa, where almost every day, the MP's, public, and other important Canadian people meet. They discuss issues facing Canada, and determine what are the next steps. When I was in Ottawa, I was able to visit the House of Commons and tour the parliament buildings. The house of commons is a one-room office, with a solid gold roof. The roof has many designs which were lent to the Canadian government, but became part of a gold roof, therefore there are no intentions to give them back or take them back.
Lining the walls are rows of chairs with desks and microphones that the MP's sit in. at the back of the room, there is a podium at which the Chairman stands during the discussion. At the front of the room there are 3 golden chairs with red fabric. They are where the Royalty would sit if they were taking part in the discussion. At the front of the room above those chairs, there is a balcony in which the public is welcome to sit if they want to come and watch. Through the aisle down the middle of the room, there are more desks with chairs and microphones where other important people sit.
This is the House Of Commons in Ottawa, Ontario.
Does the government have anything to do with making laws?
So if there was a law, would the government take part in the officially making it? Yes, the government does play a role in law-making. If a law were wanted to be passed, the government would have to be there to make it official. MP's, public, and the Governor Lieutenant must be present. The Governor Lieutenant signs the law and represents the Queen.
Why would the Queen have to be present for a Canadian law to be made? We're not Britain! But does our government somehow link to the British government? Yes. We share a Head of State (the Queen) and a monarch (type of government)!