State and Polity
Administratively the country is divided into 10 provinces and three territories.
Canada is a parliamentary democracy, a federation and a constitutional monarchy. The Constitution is a mix of unwritten and written acts, customs, judicial decisions and traditions.
Everyone over 18 years of age is eligible to vote. The leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes the prime minister following legislative elections; however the monarchy is hereditary. Since February 6 2006, Prime Minister Stephen Joseph Harper has been the head of the government while Queen Elizabeth II has been the monarch and the head of state since February 6 1952. She is represented by a governor general, presently the post is held by Governor General David Johnston since October 1 2010.
In the bicameral Parliament of the country the members of the House of Commons are elected by direct, popular vote for a term of four years while the members of the Senate are appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister and serves till the age of 75 years. The last election was held on May 2 2011 and the next one is to be held no later than October 19 2015