Government Services
Canadians govern themselves through the basic values and principles stated in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Regardless of race, belief, colour or religion, people have rights that government cannot take away without cause.
Being a Canadian citizen, some of these rights include:
- Basic freedoms such as freedom of thought, speech and peaceful assembly
- The right to vote
- The right to a fair trial
- The right to protection against discrimination
- The right to live and work anywhere in Canada
Canada is a democracy made up of 10 provinces and three territories. Canadians over the age of 18 have the right to vote in elections at all three levels of government. These three levels are federal, provincial/territorial and municipal.
Each level of government has distinct responsibilities, yet some are shared between federal, provincial and municipal governments.
The federal government is responsible for matters that deal with Canada as a whole. This includes immigration, national defense, criminal law and trade with other countries. The leader of the federal government is the Prime Minister.
The provincial/territorial level of government, which includes the Government of Ontario, is responsible for areas such as health care, agriculture, education and transportation. Health services, farming, social assistance and environmental issues are shared responsibilities between the provincial and federal governments. The leader of the provincial/territorial government is called the Premier.
Municipal government, which includes the City of London and the eight municipalities of Middlesex County, is responsible for local services like policing, firefighting, street maintenance, parks, recreation and other services. Mayors, wardens and councillors are the elected officials of municipal government.
