Description of government structure:

• Chief of State: King CHARLES III *
• Head of Government: Prime Minister Justin Pierre James TRUDEAU**
• Assembly: Canada has a bicameral Parliament (Parlement) consisting of the Senate (Sénat) with 105 seats and the House of Commons (Chambre des Communes) with 338 seats.

* The King is represented by Governor-General Julie PAYETTE. The position of Governor-General is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a five-year term.

** After legislative elections, the Governor-General usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition to be Prime Minister.

Description of electoral system:

• The King is hereditary head of government.
• The Prime Minister is designated by the governor-general to serve a 4-year term.
• In the Senate (Sénat) 105 members are appointed by the governor-general*. In the House of Commons (Chambre des Communes) 338 members are elected by plurality vote in single-member constituencies to serve 4-year terms.**

* Members are appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. No terms are set, and Senators may serve in office until the age of 75.

**Constitutionally, there can be up to five years between federal elections. As well, the Canada Elections Act specifies that a general election must be held on the third Monday in October in the fourth calendar year following the previous general election. However, it also allows for an election to be called earlier.