The Queen’s role in the Commonwealth

As Head of the Commonwealth, The Queen’s role is symbolic and has no constitutional functions attached to it. The Monarch personally reinforces the links by which the Commonwealth joins people together from around the world. This is done mainly through: Commonwealth visits; regular contact with the Commonwealth Secretary General, his Secretariat and Heads of Government; acting as patron for Commonwealth cultural events.

During her reign, The Queen has visited every country in the Commonwealth and made many repeat visits. One third of the Queen’s total overseas visits are to Commonwealth countries. The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and other members of the Royal family also pay frequent visits to the Commonwealth.

A meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government is usually held once every two years, at locations throughout the Commonwealth. The Queen is normally present in the host country, during which she has a series of private meetings with the Commonwealth countries’ leaders. The Queen also attends a reception and dinner during the conference period at which she makes a speech.

Since 1977, Commonwealth Day is celebrated throughout the Commonwealth on the second Monday in March. To mark the day, The Queen broadcasts a Commonwealth Day message to the peoples of the Commonwealth as a whole. These messages are unique in that they are delivered on The Queen’s own responsibility, drafted without ministerial advice.

The Queen, though not being part of the machinery of government in the Commonwealth, has become a personal link and human symbol of the Commonwealth as an international organization.

State systems of some Commonwealth countries State system of Canada

Canada is an independent federal parliamentary state. The Queen of Great Britain, Elizabeth II, is the official head of the state, but the Governor General acts as her representative.

The current governor general is David Lloyd Johnston, who has served since 1 October 2010; Prime Minister Stephen Harper recommended him to succeed Michaëlle Jean.

Canada combines the American federal form of government with the British cabinet system. As a federation, Canada is made up of ten provinces and two territories. Canadian central government in Ottawa represents all the people of Canada. Each province has its own government and parliament.

Parliament of Canada consists of two houses, the Upper House called the Senate, and the Lower House called the House of Commons.

The Senate has 104 members. Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The Senate has less power than the House of Commons.

Members of the House of Commons are elected for a term of five years.

The cabinet system of Canada unites the legislative and the executive branches. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet are usually members of the House of Commons, which is the highest authority in the government. The Cabinet consists of 20 or more ministers, chosen by the Prime Minister from leaders of the majority party in the House of Commons.

The current, and 22nd, Prime Minister of Canada is the Conservative Party's Stephen Harper, who was appointed on February 6, 2006, by Governor General Michaëlle Jean, following the general election that took place that year. Canadian prime ministers are styled as The Right Honourable (French: Le Très Honorable), a privilege maintained for life.

Today most of the Governor General’s powers have disappeared and he follows the directions of the Cabinet.

The two leading political parties in Canada are the Progressive Conservative Party and the Liberal Party. The New Democratic Party is also rather influential.

The Constitution of the country was only adopted in 1982.