Levels of Government in Canada
Understanding who does what — from Ottawa to your neighbourhood
Type something like "garbage", "healthcare", or "driver's license" to find which government handles it
Federal Government
The Government of Canada in Ottawa handles matters that affect the whole country — national defence, immigration, criminal law, banking, foreign affairs, and federal taxes. These are powers granted to Parliament under the Constitution.
Defence & Security
The federal government is responsible for Canada's military forces and national security, including protecting borders and responding to threats at home and abroad.
Foreign Affairs
The federal government manages Canada's relationships with other countries, including diplomacy, trade deals, and consular services for Canadians abroad.
Immigration & Citizenship
The federal government controls who can enter and stay in Canada, including immigration programs, refugee protection, and granting citizenship.
Criminal Law
The federal government writes Canada's criminal laws and operates the federal police force and federal prisons for sentences of two years or more.
Banking & Finance
The federal government regulates banks, controls the money supply through the Bank of Canada, and oversees financial institutions and bankruptcy proceedings.
Trade & Commerce
The federal government regulates trade between provinces and with other countries, including tariffs, customs duties, and competition law.
Taxation
The federal government levies income tax, the GST/HST, and excise taxes, collected by the Canada Revenue Agency.
Employment Insurance
The federal government runs Employment Insurance, providing temporary income to workers who lose their jobs, plus maternity/parental leave benefits and job training.
Pensions & Benefits
The federal government runs major pension and benefit programs including the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, and the Canada Child Benefit.
Postal Service
The federal government operates the national mail system through Canada Post, delivering letters and parcels to every address in Canada.
Telecommunications
The federal government regulates phone, internet, TV, and radio services through the CRTC, and manages the radio spectrum used for wireless communications.
Transportation
The federal government oversees airports, railways, interprovincial highways, marine shipping, and transportation safety across the country.
Indigenous Affairs
The federal government has a special constitutional responsibility for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, including treaties, reserves, and Indigenous services.
Fisheries & Oceans
The federal government manages ocean and freshwater fisheries, protects marine environments, and operates the Canadian Coast Guard.
Agriculture & Food Safety
The federal government inspects food for safety, manages supply management systems, and supports agriculture through crop insurance and trade programs.
Environment
The federal government sets national environmental standards, manages climate policy, protects migratory birds and species at risk, and runs national parks.
Health
The federal government approves drugs and medical devices, sets food safety standards, and transfers health funding to provinces under the Canada Health Act.
Patents & Copyright
The federal government grants and protects intellectual property rights including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and industrial designs.
Marriage & Divorce
The federal government sets the legal rules for who can marry and the grounds and process for divorce. Provinces handle the ceremony itself.
Census & Statistics
The federal government conducts the national census every five years and produces official statistics on the economy, population, and society through Statistics Canada.
Veterans Affairs
The federal government provides support, benefits, and health care to Canadian military veterans and their families.
Space & Nuclear
The federal government regulates nuclear energy and safety, and runs Canada's space program through the Canadian Space Agency.
Weights & Measures
The federal government ensures accuracy in trade measurements — from gas pumps to grocery scales — through Measurement Canada and national standards.
Provincial Government
Provincial and territorial governments manage healthcare, education, highways, natural resources, property rights, and most day-to-day public services. Each province has its own legislature and premier.
Healthcare
Provincial governments run the public healthcare system, including hospitals, doctors, and provincial health insurance plans that cover medically necessary services.
Education (K-12)
Provincial governments set school curriculum, fund school boards, and oversee the public education system from kindergarten through grade 12.
Post-Secondary Education
Provincial governments fund and regulate universities and colleges, set tuition policies, and administer provincial student loan programs.
Highways & Roads
Provincial governments build and maintain provincial highways and major bridges, while municipalities handle local roads and streets.
Natural Resources
Provincial governments own and manage most natural resources within their borders, including mining, forestry, and oil and gas extraction.
Provincial Courts & Corrections
Provincial governments administer the court system, appoint provincial court judges, and run provincial jails for sentences under two years.
Property & Civil Rights
Provincial governments make the laws governing property ownership, contracts, landlord-tenant relations, and civil disputes between individuals.
Labour & Employment
Provincial governments set minimum wage, employment standards, workplace safety rules, and workers' compensation for most workers (except federally regulated industries).
Driver Licensing & Vehicle Registration
Provincial governments issue driver's licences, register vehicles, set driving rules, and in some provinces provide public auto insurance.
Liquor & Cannabis
Provincial governments control the sale and distribution of alcohol and recreational cannabis, either through government stores or regulated private retailers.
Social Services
Provincial governments provide welfare, disability supports, child protection, and social assistance to residents in need.
Provincial Parks
Provincial governments maintain provincial parks for outdoor recreation, conservation, and camping, separate from federal national parks.
Municipal Affairs
Provincial governments create and oversee municipalities, granting them powers to govern local matters like zoning, water, and garbage collection.
Agriculture (Provincial)
Provincial governments run farm support programs, manage agricultural land, and regulate local farming practices alongside federal agriculture programs.
Emergency Management
Provincial governments coordinate emergency responses to natural disasters and major emergencies, including evacuation orders, disaster relief, and emergency preparedness.
Utilities Regulation
Provincial governments regulate electricity, natural gas, and water utilities, setting rates and approving infrastructure projects.
Professional Licensing
Provincial governments authorize professional regulatory bodies that set standards and license professionals like doctors, lawyers, engineers, and teachers.
Birth, Death & Marriage Registration
Provincial governments record all births, deaths, and marriages that occur within the province, issuing official certificates through vital statistics offices.
Municipal Government
Your city or town handles the services you interact with most often — garbage collection, local roads, fire protection, parks, building permits, and local transit. Sign in and set your postal code to see your specific city's responsibilities.
Garbage & Recycling
Curbside collection of garbage, recycling, and organics
Local Roads & Sidewalks
Maintains city roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, and bridges
Fire Protection
Local fire department and emergency response
Local Parks & Recreation
Parks, community centres, pools, and recreation facilities
Building Permits & Inspections
Issues permits and conducts inspections for construction
Bylaw Enforcement
Enforces municipal bylaws including noise, property standards, and animal control
Local Transit
City bus, subway, or light rail services
Local Policing
Municipal police service
Snow Removal
Plows roads and clears sidewalks during winter
Public Libraries
Public library branches and programs