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The Monarch’s
The Monarch’s
Representative
Representative
governor. The lieutenant governor This is the badge of
acts on behalf of the monarch to the commissioner of
id you know that Canada sign paperwork, attend events, and Nunavut. Nellie Kusugak
Dis part of the British do many other tasks. was appointed as the
Commonwealth? At one time, commissioner of This diagram
Nunavut in 2015.
Canada was a British colony. shows how the monarch is
The king or queen of England, Elizabeth Dowdeswell represented in the federal,
known as the monarch, ruled became Ontario’s lieutenant provincial, and territorial
the land. Today, Canada is an governor in 2014. She was born in how iT woRKS governments.
independent country, but the Northern Ireland and came
to Canada with her
monarch is still the head of state. parents in 1947. federal governMent
In a monarchy, the king or queen The monarch is represented by the governor general.
has total power to make decisions
for a country. However, Canada is
a constitutional monarchy. This
means Canada’s Constitution limits provincial governMent territorial governMent
the monarch’s power. Power is given
to elected leaders instead. The prime The monarch is represented The monarch is represented by
minister of Canada and the premiers by the lieutenant governor. the territorial commissioner.
in the provinces and territories
are the true heads of government.
They take on most of the tasks the The monarch does not appoint a
monarch once did. The monarch is representative in the territories. This is rights and
mainly just a figurehead.
because territorial governments were responsibilities
The monarch seldom visits the not included in the Constitution
provinces so their representative, when it was written. Instead, the Everyone, no matter their culture, race,
the governor general, appoints federal government appoints language, or beliefs, has the right to
someone to represent the monarch commissioners to act as the head be treated with respect and dignity.
in provincial governments. This of state in each territory. Like
person is called the lieutenant lieutenant governors, the role of the
commissioner is mainly symbolic.
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