<hdr>The World Factbook 1994: Canada<nl>Government</hdr><body>
<list>
<item><hi format=bold>Names:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>conventional long form:</hi> none
<item>• <hi format=ital>conventional short form:</hi> Canada
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Digraph:</hi> CA
<item><hi format=bold>Type:</hi> confederation with parliamentary democracy
<item><hi format=bold>Capital:</hi> Ottawa
<item><hi format=bold>Administrative divisions:</hi> 10 provinces and 2 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory*
<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> 1 July 1867 (from UK)
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> Canada Day, 1 July (1867)
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> amended British North America Act 1867 patriated to Canada 17 April 1982; charter of rights and unwritten customs
<item><hi format=bold>Legal system:</hi> based on English common law, except in Quebec, where civil law system based on French law prevails; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
<item><hi format=bold>Suffrage:</hi> 18 years of age; universal
<item><hi format=bold>Executive branch:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of state:</hi> Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Raymond John HNATYSHYN (since 29 January 1990)
<item>• <hi format=ital>head of government:</hi> Prime Minister Jean CHRETIEN (since 4 November 1993) was elected on 25 October 1993, replacing Kim CAMBELL; Deputy Prime Minister Sheila COPPS
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Federal Ministry; chosen by the prime minister from members of his own party sitting in Parliament
<item><hi format=bold>Senate (Senat):</hi> consisting of a body whose members are appointed to serve until 75 years of age by the governor general and selected on the advice of the prime minister; its normal limit 104 senators
<item><hi format=bold>House of Commons (Chambre des Communes):</hi> elections last held 25 October 1993 (next to be held by NA October 1998); results—number of votes by percent NA; seats—(295 total) Liberal Party 178, Bloc Quebecois 54, Reform Party 52, New Democratic Party 8, Progressive Conservative Party 2, independents 1
<item>• <hi format=ital>consulate(s) general:</hi> Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, and Seattle
<item>• <hi format=ital>consulate(s):</hi> Cincinnati, Cleveland, Miami, Pittsburg, Princeton, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
<item>• <hi format=ital>mailing address:</hi> P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburg, NY 13669-0430
<item>• <hi format=ital>telephone:</hi> (613) 238-5335 or 4470
<item>• <hi format=ital>FAX:</hi> (613) 238-5720
<item>• <hi format=ital>consulate(s) general:</hi> Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, and Vancouver
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Flag:</hi> three vertical bands of red (hoist side), white (double width, square), and red with a red maple leaf centered in the white band