The Structure of the Canadian Government
Canada's "Fathers of Confederation" adopted a federal form of government in 1867. A federal state is one that brings together a number of different political communities under a common government for common purposes and separate regional governments for the particular needs of each region.
In Canada, the responsibilities of the federal system include national defense, interprovincial and international trade and commerce, the banking and monetary system, criminal law, and fisheries. The courts have also awarded to the federal Parliament such powers a…