⚖️ Chapter 5: How Canadians Govern Themselves
The Sovereign reigns in accordance with what?
Correct answer: The Constitution, that is, the rule of law
A The advice of the Senate alone
B The wishes of the provincial premiers
✓ The Constitution, that is, the rule of law
D The rulings of the Supreme Court
💡 Explanation
The Sovereign's reign is bound by the Constitution and therefore by the rule of law.
Key facts to remember
- The head of state is a hereditary king or queen
- The Sovereign reigns under the Constitution and the rule of law
- The Sovereign is one of the three parts of Parliament
- The role is non-partisan
- The Sovereign is a focus of citizenship and allegiance
- Royal visits make the role most visible
- The Sovereign symbolises Canadian sovereignty and guards constitutional freedoms
- The Royal Family sets an example of lifelong service
Why this is the answer
From the official Discover Canada study guide — 5.4.1 Constitutional Monarchy:
Canada's head of state is a hereditary sovereign, a king or a queen. The position passes down through the Royal Family; nobody is elected to it. The Sovereign reigns according to the Constitution, which means under the rule of law rather than above it. The Sovereign is also one of the three parts of Parliament. The role is deliberately non-partisan: the Sovereign belongs to no political party and does not take sides between the parties.
For Canadians the Crown acts as a focus of citizenship and of allegiance. That is seen most clearly when members of the Royal Family visit Canada. The Sovereign stands as a symbol of Canadian sovereignty, as a guardian of the freedoms the Constitution protects, and as a living reminder of the country's history. The Royal Family's habit of serving the community for a whole lifetime is held up as an example, encouraging citizens to give their own best to Canada.
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