Canada Government - 1986

GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES 

(official name: Ganada

Typi. federal state recognizing Elizabeth 11 as sovereign

Capital: Ottawa

Political subdivisions: 10 provinces and 2 territories

Legal system: based on English c ommon law, except in Quebec, where civil law system based on French law prevails; constitution as of 1982 (formerly British North America Act of 1867 and various amendments); accepts compulsory 1CJ jurisdiction, with reservations

National holiday: Canada Day, 1 July

Branches: federal executive power vested in cabinet collectively responsible to House of Commons and headed by Prime Minister; federal legislative authority resides in Parliament (282 seats) consisting of Queen represented by Governor General, Senate, and House of Commons, judges appointed by Governor General on the advice of the government; Supreme Court is highest tribunal

Government leaders: Brian MULRONEY, Prime Minister (since September 1984); Jeanne SAUVE, Governor General (since May 1984)

Suf rage: universal over age 18

Elei tions. legal limit of five years but in practice usually held within four years· last election Septeml>er 1984; 75% voter turnout

Political parties and leaders: Liberal, John Turner; Progressive Conservative, Brian Mulroney; New Democratic, Edward Broadbent

Voting strength: (1984 election) Progressive Conservative, 50%; Liberal, 28%; New Democratic Party, 19%; parliamentary seats as of December 1984--Progressive Conservative (211), Liberal (40), New Democratic Party (30) independent (1)

Communists: approx. 2,000

Member of: ADB, Colombo Plan, Commonwealth, DAC, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICES, ICO, ICRC, IDA, 1DB—InterAmerican Development Bank, 1EA, IFAD, 1FC, 1HO, ILO, International Lead and Zinc Study Group, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ISO, ITC, ITU, 1WC— International Whaling Commission, 1WC— International Wheat Council, NATO, OAS (observer), OECD, PAHO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WSG

NOTE: The information regarding Canada on this page is re-published from the 1986 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency and other sources. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Canada 1986 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Canada 1986 should be addressed to the CIA or the source cited on each page.