Handout: The Federal Government

• The Federal government is located in Ottawa, Ontario on Parliament Hill.
  
  
• The Prime Minister of Canada is the leader of the party that has received the most votes in a federal election.
  
  
• The party with the next highest number of votes is the Official Opposition.
  
  
• The Head of Canada is Queen Elizabeth II.
  
  
• The Queen's representative in Canada is the Governor-General.
  
  
• Federal elections are held every 4-5 years.
  
  
• The main parties are: The Liberal Party, the Progressive Conservative Party, the New Democratic Party and the Reform Party and the Bloc Quebecois.
  
  
• Your representative in Ottawa for the federal government is called a Member of Parliament.
  
  
• Your Member of Parliament represents the interests of your community.