CCANADA
FACTBOOK
Canada FactbookDraft

November 2026 Edition

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Canada Factbook · National chapter / CAN

Government

Canada flag
ⓘ

2021 Factbook flag mirror; image identity has not been individually audited. Source.

Last updated: October 29, 2026

Sections in Government
  1. Country name
  2. Government type
  3. Capital
  4. Administrative divisions
  5. Legal system
  6. Constitution
  7. International law organization participation
  8. Citizenship
  9. Suffrage
  10. Executive branch
  11. Legislative branch
  12. Legislative branch - lower chamber
  13. Legislative branch - upper chamber
  14. Judicial branch
  15. Political parties
  16. Diplomatic representation in the US
  17. Diplomatic representation from the US
  18. International organization participation
  19. Independence
  20. National holiday
  21. Flag
  22. National symbol(s)
  23. National color(s)
  24. National anthem(s)
  25. National heritage

Government

Country name:82

conventional long form:none
conventional short form:Canada
etymology:the name is probably derived from the Huron or Iroquois word kanata , meaning village or camp
Source context

Reference period: As stated in each note.

Original reference ↗

Source note [82]

Government type:83

federal parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Canada) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm; federal and state authorities and responsibilities regulated in constitution
Source context

Reference period: As stated in each note.

Original reference ↗

Source note [83]

Capital:84

name:Ottawa
geographic coordinates:45 25 N, 75 42 W
time difference:UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:+1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November
time zone note:Canada has six time zones
etymology:the city lies on the south bank of the Ottawa River, from which it derives its name; the river name comes from the Algonquin word adawe , meaning "to trade"
Source context

Reference period: As stated in each note.

Original reference ↗

Source note [84]

Administrative divisions:85

10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Québec, Saskatchewan, Yukon*
Source context

Reference period: As stated in each note.

Original reference ↗

Source note [85]

Legal system:86

common law system except in Quebec, where civil law based on the French civil code prevails
Source context

Reference period: As stated in each note.

Original reference ↗

Source note [86]

Constitution:87

history:consists of unwritten and written acts, customs, judicial decisions, and traditions dating from 1763; the written part of the constitution consists of the Constitution Act of 29 March 1867, which created a federation of four provinces, and the Constitution Act of 17 April 1982
amendment process:proposed by either house of Parliament or by the provincial legislative assemblies; there are 5 methods for passage though most require approval by both houses of Parliament, approval of at least two thirds of the provincial legislative assemblies and assent and formalization as a proclamation by the governor general in council; the most restrictive method is reserved for amendments affecting fundamental sections of the constitution, such as the office of the monarch or the governor general, and the constitutional amendment procedures, which require unanimous approval by both houses and by all the provincial assemblies, and assent of the governor general in council
Source context

Reference period: As stated in each note.

Original reference ↗

Source note [87]

International law organization participation:88

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Source context

Reference period: As stated in each note.

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Source note [88]

Citizenship:89

citizenship by birth:yes
citizenship by descent only:yes
dual citizenship recognized:yes
residency requirement for naturalization:minimum of 3 of last 5 years resident in Canada
Source context

Reference period: As stated in each note.

Original reference ↗

Source note [89]

Suffrage:90

18 years of age; universal
Source context

Reference period: As stated in each note.

Original reference ↗

Source note [90]

Executive branch:91

chief of state:King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Mary SIMON (since 26 July 2021)
head of government:Prime Minister Mark CARNEY (since 14 March 2025)
cabinet:Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister usually from among members of his/her own party sitting in Parliament
election/appointment process:the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a 5-year term; after legislative elections, the governor general usually designates the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Commons as prime minister
note:the governor general position is largely ceremonial
Source context

Reference period: As stated in each note.

Original reference ↗

Source note [91]

Legislative branch:92

legislature name:Parliament of Canada - Parlement du Canada
legislative structure:bicameral
Source context

Reference period: As stated in each note.

Original reference ↗

Source note [92]

Legislative branch - lower chamber:93

chamber name:House of Commons
number of seats:343 (all directly elected)
electoral system:plurality/majority
scope of elections:full renewal
term in office:4 years
most recent election date:4/28/2025
parties elected and seats per party:Liberal Party (169); Conservative Party (144); Bloc Québécois (BQ) (22); Other (30)
percentage of women in chamber:30.3%
Source context

Reference period: As stated in each note.

Original reference ↗

Source note [93]

Legislative branch - upper chamber:94

chamber name:Senate
number of seats:105 (all appointed)
percentage of women in chamber:54.8%
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Reference period: As stated in each note.

Original reference ↗

Source note [94]

Judicial branch:95

highest court(s):Supreme Court of Canada (consists of the chief justice and 8 judges)
judge selection and term of office:chief justice and judges appointed by the prime minister in council; all judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 75
subordinate courts:federal level: Federal Court of Appeal; Federal Court; Tax Court; federal administrative tribunals; Courts Martial; provincial/territorial level: provincial superior, appeals, first instance, and specialized courts
note:in 1999, the Nunavut Court -- a circuit court with the power of a provincial superior court, as well as a territorial court -- was established to serve isolated settlements
Source context

Reference period: As stated in each note.

Original reference ↗

Source note [95]

Political parties:96

Bloc Québécois
Conservative Party of Canada or CPC
Green Party of Canada
Liberal Party of Canada
New Democratic Party
Source context

Reference period: As stated in each note.

Original reference ↗

Source note [96]

Diplomatic representation in the US:97

chief of mission:Ambassador Kirsten HILLMAN (since 17 July 2020)
chancery:501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001
telephone:[1] (844) 880-6519
FAX:[1] (202) 682-7738

email address and website

ccs.scc@international.gc.ca
https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/us-eu/washington.aspx?lang=eng
consulate(s) general:Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco, Seattle
trade office(s):Houston, Palo Alto (CA), San Diego; note - there are trade offices in the Consulates General
Source context

Reference period: As stated in each note.

Original reference ↗

Source note [97]

Diplomatic representation from the US:98

chief of mission:Ambassador Pete HOEKSTRA (since 29 April 2025)
embassy:490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8
mailing address:5480 Ottawa Place, Washington DC 20521-5480
telephone:[1] (613) 688-5335
FAX:[1] (613) 241-7845

email address and website

OttawaNIV@state.gov
https://ca.usembassy.gov/
consulate(s) general:Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Vancouver
consulate(s):Winnipeg
Source context

Reference period: As stated in each note.

Original reference ↗

Source note [98]

International organization participation:99

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CD, CDB, CE (observer), EAPC, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAFTA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNMISS, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, USMCA, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Source context

Reference period: As stated in each note.

Original reference ↗

Source note [99]

Independence:100

1 July 1867 (union of British North American colonies); 11 December 1931 (recognized by UK per Statute of Westminster)
Source context

Reference period: As stated in each note.

Original reference ↗

Source note [100]

National holiday:101

Canada Day, 1 July (1867)
Source context

Reference period: As stated in each note.

Original reference ↗

Source note [101]

Flag:102

description:two vertical bands of red on each side, with a white square between them; a large 11-pointed red maple leaf is centered in the white square
meaning:the maple leaf is a national symbol
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Reference period: As stated in each note.

Original reference ↗

Source note [102]

National symbol(s):103

maple leaf, beaver
Source context

Reference period: As stated in each note.

Original reference ↗

Source note [103]

National color(s):104

red, white
Source context

Reference period: As stated in each note.

Original reference ↗

Source note [104]

National anthem(s):105

title:"O Canada"
lyrics/music:Adolphe-Basile ROUTHIER [French], Robert Stanley WEIR [English]/Calixa LAVALLEE
history:adopted 1980; originally written in 1880, it served as an unofficial anthem for many years; the original version had four verses, but the anthem today officially consists of one verse in French and one in English
history:_____
title:"God Save the King"
lyrics/music:unknown
history:royal anthem, as a Commonwealth country
Source context

Reference period: As stated in each note.

Original reference ↗

Source note [105]

National heritage:106

total World Heritage Sites:22 (10 cultural, 11 natural, 1 mixed) (2021)
selected World Heritage Site locales:L'Anse aux Meadows (c); Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks (n); Dinosaur Provincial Park (n); Historic District of Old Quebec (c); Old Town Lunenburg (c); Wood Buffalo National Park (n); Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump (c); Gros Morne National Park (n); Pimachiowin Aki (m)
Source context

Reference period: As stated in each note.

Original reference ↗

Source note [106]

Historical observations

Notes & sources

  1. Country name. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
  2. Government type. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
  3. Capital. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
  4. Administrative divisions. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
  5. Legal system. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
  6. Constitution. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
  7. International law organization participation. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
  8. Citizenship. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
  9. Suffrage. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
  10. Executive branch. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
  11. Legislative branch. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
  12. Legislative branch - lower chamber. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
  13. Legislative branch - upper chamber. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
  14. Judicial branch. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
  15. Political parties. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
  16. Diplomatic representation in the US. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
  17. Diplomatic representation from the US. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
  18. International organization participation. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
  19. Independence. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
  20. National holiday. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
  21. Flag. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
  22. National symbol(s). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
  23. National color(s). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
  24. National anthem(s). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
  25. National heritage. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-05 17:28:40 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition retrieval date: not supplied (retrieval only). ↩
← EnvironmentNotes & sourcesEconomy →

Countries & territories

Same-year values. Equal values share a rank.

Sources & method

Ranks cover available countries and territories, using the same indicator, source unit and reference year. Unrounded source values determine ties. Coverage is not a sovereign-country or complete global ranking; national definitions may differ. Missing values and other years are excluded. The information icon preserves the original number, unit and evidence.

RankCountry or territoryValue
Source information
International organization

Source observations