⚖️ Chapter 5: How Canadians Govern Themselves

5.4.3 Head of State and Head of Government

1 paragraphs · 1 questions

Two roles are easy to mix up, so keep them apart. The Sovereign is Canada's head of state. The Prime Minister is head of government, and it is the Prime Minister who actually runs the country's government, sets policy and takes the decisions. The Sovereign's role is a symbolic and constitutional one, and it sits above party politics. In Canada these two roles stay clearly apart, and one person never holds both.

Key Facts

  • Head of state = the Sovereign
  • Head of government = the Prime Minister
  • The Prime Minister actually runs the country's government
  • The two roles are clearly distinct
Head of State and Head of Government
Illustration: Head of State and Head of Government

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