What form of government was established by the Confederation?

The establishment of a parliamentary democracy by the Confederation is rooted in the desire to create a government that allows elected representatives to hold power, reflecting the will of the people. In Canada, this means that the executive branch derives its legitimacy from, and is accountable to, the parliament. The system ensures that the Prime Minister, as head of government, and other ministers must maintain the confidence of elected representatives, which promotes a responsive and responsible government.

The parliamentary system in Canada is characterized by key features such as the distribution of powers between the federal and provincial governments, and the role of the monarch as the head of state, represented by the Governor General at the federal level. This democratic framework facilitates debate, legislation, and governance through a structured approach whereby the ruling party or coalition must work collaboratively with the opposition.

In contrast, a presidential democracy, such as that seen in the United States, features a distinct separation of powers where the executive is elected independently of the legislative branch. This differs significantly from the parliamentary model. Similarly, a monarchy implies a system ruled by a king or queen, which is not the case in Canada, as the monarchy is ceremonial and largely symbolic within the parliamentary structure. An oligarchy, on the other hand, is governed by a small