B. under the complete authority of state governments. Cuts in recent decades to federal transfers have heightened these tensions. Federal Government and National Governance. The court ruled that the federal Parliament could not pass laws on unemployment insurance, competition, trade and commerce (except across provincial or national borders), or minimum wages and maximum work hours (except in federally-regulated industries, such as banking). Answered In a federal system governmental responsibilities are 2 The federal government also controls the nation's economy. Political system - Political system - Regional and state government: The 18th-century political philosopher Montesquieu wrote that governments are likely to be tyrannical if they are responsible for administering large territories, for they must develop the organizational capacity characteristic of despotic states. The federal government determines foreign policy, with exclusive power to make treaties, declare war, and control imports and exports. Also central to the functioning of the government is the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), composed of partisan appointees who advise the prime minister on the political aspects of his job. The Governor General represents the Queen in Canada and carries out the duties of head of state. communities, as well as transfers through the tax system to corporations and individuals. Each level of government has different responsibilities. The federal government’s revenues come primarily from taxes. The remainder of federal revenues come from Employment Insurance premiums, the profits of crown corporations, and the sale of goods and services. 1. Ask your question. The collective responsibility of the Cabinet means that all ministers publicly support all government policy. One source of conflict is Ottawa’s insistence on playing a role in areas that are primarily within provincial jurisdiction. The federal government conducts Canadian foreign policy and implements treaties, but provincial legislation is necessary to comply with treaties that deal primarily with areas in provincial jurisdiction, according to a controversial 1937 ruling of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. The Privy Council Office is the prime minister’s government department. WORD BUILDER This duty is increasingly important as countries become more interconnected in the modern international system. Political system - Political system - The functions of government: In all modern states, governmental functions have greatly expanded with the emergence of government as an active force in guiding social and economic development. The government’s business is too extensive to be handled by the Cabinet as a whole. The term can refer narrowly to the Canadian Cabinet, or more broadly to the Cabinet and the public service. Example: In … The legislature, composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate, creates laws. the powers of the national government that are listed in the Constitution. Each jurisdiction is generally independent from the others in its realm of legislative authority. Check out the useful "How Canadians Govern Themselves" paper from the Information and Documentation Branch. These include defence, foreign policy, interprovincial trade and communications, currency, navigation, criminal law and citizenship. While the federal government of the United States is often the ultimate authority, there are many government responsibilities left unspoken. The board is chaired by the president of the Treasury Board, a Cabinet minister. On rare occasions, the prime minister may be the leader of a party that does not have the most seats. jamesbenet/Getty Images. “[T]he powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement, and prosperity of the State,” James Madison wrote. Public servants are non-partisan and serve the government, regardless of which party is in power. 2. Prime ministers try to seek representation from all the provinces, as well as a good number of francophones, women, and ethnic minorities. In practice, this is always the leader of the party with the most seats in the Commons. It deals with national and international matters, such as: mail; taxes; money; banking; shipping ; railways; pipelines; telephones; criminal law; foreign affairs; national defence; employment insurance; Aboriginal lands and rights; Provincial and territorial governments. Water Security in Canada: Responsibilities of the federal government 4 For the federal government to meet its constitutional obligations for peace, order and good government, it must confront its obligation to improve water security for all Canadians. This is the sharing of … The Federal Government is responsible for the aged care system as a whole. Ever wonder who "FICA" is and why they are taking money out of your paycheck? Miscellaneous taxes (such as customs duties and taxes on gasoline, cigarettes, and alcohol) account for just 8 per cent. When the prime minister’s party holds a majority of the seats, it is almost impossible for a government to lose a vote in the House of Commons, or face significant restrictions on the government's agenda. The Constitution places national defense in the hands of the federal government. The federal government is the national government of Canada, centred in Ottawa. Because the financing of general education by government is widely accepted, the … At the same time, Canada’s leaders sought to avoid the problems they saw with the American system. Ministers are advised by the public servants in their department, the most senior of whom is the deputy minister, and by a small number of political staff in the minister’s office. The federal government has argued that it has a responsibility to maintain national standards — that Canadians, regardless of where they live, deserve the same level of health care and other services. Canadians followed the American example in 1867 when they created a federation with powers split between two levels of government. Federal Level of Government in Canada. In a federal system a majority of governmental responsibilities are a. the sole responsibility of the federal government. A federal government is a system of dividing up power between a central national government and local state governments that are connected to one another by the national government. Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images, Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Education, Explore state by state cost analysis of US colleges in an interactive article, United States Senate: Constitution of the United States, "American Government Brief Version"; James Q. Wilson; 2009. Each mainline department is headed by a minister. If the prime minister resigns or dies a new government is formed under a new prime minister. After an election, the government may either stay in office — if it can command the support of a majority of members of Parliament — or resign. In a federal system, power is not delegated into the hands of a few (obviously a "federal" government or state is a centralized system). While the federal government of the United States is often the ultimate authority, there are many government responsibilities left unspoken. In our federal state, the federal government takes responsibility for matters of national and international concern.These include defence, foreign policy, interprovincial trade and … A constitutional amendment in 1940 gave the federal government power over employment insurance. The Treasury Board Secretariat is a department that puts into effect decisions of the Treasury Board, a Cabinet committee that functions as the management board for the administration of the federal government. departments, agencies, and crown corporations, . Its areas of responsibility are stated in the Australian Constitution and include defence and foreign affairs; trade, commerce and currency; immigration; postal services, telecommunications and broadcasting; air travel; most social services and pensions. In a federal system a majority of governmental responsibilities are a. the sole responsibility of the federal government. the process whereby the national government returns policy responsibilities to state and/or local governments. In. Canada has three main levels of government. Ministers are also individually accountable to Parliament for the actions of their departments. W What does this mean? Everything else was placed in the hands of the federal government, which was charged with maintaining “the Peace, Order, and good Government of Canada.” The federal government was also given the power to disallow provincial laws. Our Founding Fathers feared the concentration of power in a single individual or branch of government. The states retain important responsibilities for treatment in jails, prisons and involuntary mental health and substance use treatment facilities, provide subsidized community-based treatment, and license treatment providers, but greater federal government involvement has become indispensable to address the inadequacies of an incomplete and inadequate system of care. The federal government is also responsible for ensuring that constitutionally-guaranteed rights of all persons (convicts, defendants, and people on the street, alike) are not trammeled by the criminal justice system. For instance, the federal government was able to create a national medical care program by sharing costs with any province that agreed to establish a health care plan that met certain standards. They include Canada Post, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the Bank of Canada, and the Royal Canadian Mint. Critics have long argued that prime ministers are too powerful and that reforms are necessary as a check on their authority. Governments around the world hold their citizens responsible for many things, such as paying taxes, serving in the military or at least cooperating with the law. federal system. This system is new for South Asian country Nepal. Enacting and enforcing laws is the prime responsibility of the Government of each country. They say Ottawa should not be allowed to dictate how federal money is spent in areas of provincial responsibility. Fiscal Federalism. Most recent prime ministers have chaired a committee that takes care of the government’s strategic direction and long-term priorities. The government is inseparable from the prime minister and his political party, and is often informally named after the prime minister (e.g., “the. Since 1980, Cabinet has been composed of between 20 and 40 ministers. The provinces were given responsibility for primarily private or local matters, such as hospitals, schools, charities, municipalities, shops, taverns, transportation within a province, onshore natural resources, and property and civil rights. To prevent this, they separated law-making powers among three branches: legislative, exec… Federal Government meaning in law. Maintenance of Law and Order ; This is one of the core functions of the federal government of Nigeria. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution grants Congress the right to declare war and to maintain an army and navy. The U.S. relies on a system called “federalism”: Powers not granted to the federal government are reserved for the states and the people. The three largest departments in this operational category account for half of these costs: National Defence, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (which is responsible for the RCMP, penitentiaries, and border security), and the Canada Revenue Agency (the country’s tax collector). The government’s business is too extensive to be handled by the Cabinet as a whole. It provides non-partisan advice and administrative support to the prime minister and the Cabinet. The Federal or Commonwealth Government is responsible for the conduct of national affairs. Most importantly, Congress has the power to print or coin money, and to regulate its value. Governments are developed by people to ensure order in society and to protect citizens. These are the Cabinet, the Privy Council Office, the Treasury Board Secretariat, and the Department of Finance. The court paid less attention to, ’s responsibility for peace, order, and good government than to the provincial jurisdiction over property and civil rights. Introduction to the Canadian federal government. Most governmental responsibilities, however, are shared by state and federal governments and these include taxation, business regulation, environmental protection, and civil rights. Federalism in the United States. The … To prevent this, they separated law-making powers among three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. This means Australians have someone to represent them at each level of government. The federal government is the national government of Canada, centred in Ottawa. Prime Ministers determine the number and function of these committees. It divides war powers between the president and Congress. In the impact of federalizing drifts, the one party dominant system has given way to a multi Party system and elections have unfavourably affected the fortunes of major national parties, bringing to the fore some regional parties to critical separates threshold giving them heavy electoral edge. Jonathan purchases a comic book over the phone. after 40 days, the comic book has not been shipped. This is because laws and regulations only enable the businesses to function smoothly. Also important in shifting the balance was the growing importance of matters like health care, a provincial responsibility. Occasionally non-parliamentarians are appointed to Cabinet, but they quickly seek a seat in the House of Commons or are appointed to the Senate. There are many challenges and opportunities in the federal system of governance in Nepal. Join now. Only the federal government can regulate interstate and foreign commerce, declare … The establishment of the three levels of … We have posted some information, facts about the Federal System of Government in Nepal. Our team will be reviewing your submission and get back to you with any further questions. In their view, the American Civil War (1861–1865) came about in part because the United States central government was too weak. Article II, Section 2 names the president as commander-in-chief of the U.S. military and state militias, or national guards. Yet for the provinces, the federal government is intruding in their business. Authority to Govern The main difference between provincial and territorial governments has to do with ). In those countries favouring social democracy, … Several federal government institutions may be designated as primary departments, depending on the nature of the emergency. c. shared by both state and federal authorities. Crown Corporations are owned by the government and deliver services at arm’s length from the government. But most people expect something in return, and the law itself often assigns duties and responsibilities to the government. English and French are the official languages of the federal government. the store does not promise a particular time in which the comic book will be shipped to jonathan. Cuts in recent decades to federal transfers have heightened these tensions. Ex:only federal governments can coin money, only state governments can establish public school systems, and they both share the responsibilities of collecting taxes. Although the Supremacy Clause states that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the “supreme law of the land,” according to the Supreme Court, it is clear that the Constitution created a federal government of limited powers. Australians aged 18 years and over vote to elect representatives to federal, state and territory parliaments, and local councils to make decisions on their behalf. The peace, order, and good government clause applied only to national emergencies, in the view of the court. The court paid less attention to Ottawa’s responsibility for peace, order, and good government than to the provincial jurisdiction over property and civil rights. Except in the rarest of occasions, governors general follow the recommendations of the prime minister in discharging these duties. When there is a vacancy, the governor general calls on someone who can form a government that would command the support of the House of Commons. Basically, the Commerce Clause allows the federal government to pass laws dealing in any way with the transportation of goods and services between state lines but no power to regulate commerce that takes place entirely within a single state. Perfect examples of federal governments are those that function best in large countries with a broad … The federal government is the national government of Canada, centred in, . About 30 per cent of federal spending pays for the operations of the federal government. This report card examines fivemain areas where federal government has a role in making or keeping our health care system the very best possible to serve the needs of Canadians through all stages of life. If the government loses a major vote (known as a confidence vote) in the Commons, the prime minister has two options: to ask the governor general to call an election or to resign. Britain’s Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, which functioned as Canada’s highest court for constitutional cases until 1949, limited the federal government’s area of jurisdiction. If the prime minister resigns or dies a new government is formed under a new prime minister. Federal Reserve System The federal government also influences education by allocating funding only to those school districts that follow certain federal guidelines. Public schooling on a state level began in 1790, when Pennsylvania became the first state to require … Federal Systems . It is imperative that law and order are maintained in any country for the country to function. The governor general, acting on the prime minister's advice, also appoints judges of the federal courts and the superior, district, and county courts of the provinces. You should be able to list […] In contrast, the United Kingdom has a unitary system where there is only one level of government. Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, Azzi, Stephen, "Federal Government". By giving Congress the power to declare war and the president the power to wage war, the Founding Fathers ensured that one branch could not gain complete control over the nation's armed forces. The Treasury Board has responsibility for the financial management of the government, accountability, ethics, and personnel. The Federal Reserve System, a quasi-governmental agency, regulates the amount of US money in circulation. The federal government is responsible for implementing the legislation of the Canadian Parliament. Roughly 20 per cent of federal spending is in the form of transfers to other levels of government to help fund higher education, health care, and other social programs. In countries with a command economy, government has a vast range of responsibilities for many types of economic behaviour. The federal government of the United States (U.S. federal government) is the national government of the United States, a federal republic in North America, composed of 50 states, a federal district, five major self-governing territories and several island possessions.The federal government is composed of three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial, whose powers are vested by the U.S. Constitution … The. government”). Local governments handle … The rest … The federal government makes decisions that affect Canadians every day. Further, Government provides a system of court for adjudicating differences between firms, individual or Government … A federal system has a mix of national and state or local gov- ernments. About one-quarter of federal government expenditures are payments to individuals under programs such as Old Age Security, Employment Insurance, and the Child Tax Benefit. The board oversees public service personnel, labour relations, and the expenditure of funds by government departments and agencies. The judiciary, which includes a federal court system headed by the Supreme Court, decides the constitutionality of these laws. Marci Sothern has written as a tutor in the academic field since 1999. Governments around the world hold their citizens responsible for many things, such as paying taxes, serving in the military or at least cooperating with the law. Most of this money goes toward assistance programs for children with disabilities. Roughly three percent of the federal budget is spent on education as of 2017 - a small proportion, of course, but in many years this amounts to billions of dollars. Votes are rare in Cabinet. Critics have long argued that prime ministers are too powerful and that reforms are necessary as a check on their authority. In the US, citizens are usually subject to three levels of government: federal, state, and local. In a federal system of government, some areas of public life are governed by local governments, while others are ruled by the central national government. from the collection of taxes to the delivery of social services, and from the supervision of international trade to the safeguarding of national security. The federal government of Nigeria as the highest government in the land is saddled with numerous responsibilities. Federal, Provincial and Municipal Responsibilities . d. provided by local government agencies. The Founding Fathers sought to combat these problems by creating a national currency and placing it under the control of the federal government. a governmental structure with two levels of government in which each one has sovereignty over different policy matters and geographic areas. In a small number of cases, a department may have two or more ministers (e.g., the. Most ministers are members of the House of Commons, though there is often one senator (who serves as the leader of the government in the Senate), and sometimes two or three more senators. Although governments exist in a variety of forms, they perform the same essential functions. There are also three territorial governments in the far north, which exercise powers delegated by the federal parliament, and municipal governments which exercise powers delegated by the province or territory. The Department of Finance prepares the federal budget, which must be approved by Parliament. Log in. When the prime minister’s party holds a majority of the seats, it is almost impossible for a government to lose a vote in the House of Commons, or face significant restrictions on the government's agenda. Thanks for contributing to The Canadian Encyclopedia. In Canada, there are 3 levels of government. But most people expect something in return, and the law itself often assigns duties and responsibilities to the government. Both levels can do things like establish courts and collect taxes. As a result, Canada’s founding document, the British North America Act of 1867, created a powerful federal government and weaker provincial governments. ... federal system. (In addition to these large organizations, there are also smaller government units including departmental corporations, agents of Parliament, shared governance corporations and joint enterprises.) The water in a lake is within provincial jurisdiction, but the fish and the boats are federal. The State Department maintains a network of embassies in countries around the world under the direction of the president. Throughout history, war has been a main component of international relations. The main function of the U.S. federal government is creating and enforcing laws to ensure order and stability within society. Rand Dyck and Christopher Cochrane, Canadian Politics: Critical Approaches, 7th ed. Our Government is regulated by a system of checks and balances defined by the US Constitution, which serves as the country’s supreme legal document. What does the federal government do? enumerated powers. The entire federal court system is often called the "guardians of the Constitution" and is divided into twelve judicial districts, or "circuits." Sometimes local governments administer national policies, which means that, in practice, the “national” policy varies a great deal from place to place. Prime ministers may also appoint junior ministers or "ministers of state," who often do not lead government departments, but who assist a Cabinet minister with specific responsibilities. View Academics in Challenges of the Federal System of Government as Regards Constitutional Responsibilities on Academia.edu. Today, all 50 states provide public schooling to their young people – with 50 approaches to education within the borders of one nation. have meant that whoever occupies this position is the dominant figure in Canadian politics. A primary department is a federal government institution with a mandate related to a key element of an emergency. Our Founding Fathers feared the concentration of power in a single individual or branch of government. The U.S. relies on a system called “federalism”: Powers not granted to the federal government are reserved for the states and the people. The Federal Government is also involved, mainly through funding, … C. shared by both state and federal authorities. On the advice of the prime minister, the governor general (acting on behalf of the Crown) summons, prorogues, and dissolves Parliament; calls elections; and appoints Cabinet ministers, senators, ambassadors, deputy ministers, provincial lieutenants governor and the speaker of the Senate. Australia and the United States also have federal systems where jurisdiction is divided between the federal government and the various states. The responsibilities of the federal and provincial governments were defined in 1867 in the British North America Act, now known as the Constitution Act, 1867.. They say Ottawa should not be allowed to dictate how federal money is spent in areas of provincial responsibility. The Federal or Commonwealth Government is responsible for the conduct of national affairs. Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, is Canada's formal head of state. powers of the federal government, the Constitution Act,1867 lists the powers of the provinces, including: • direct taxes • hospitals • prisons • education • marriage • property and civil rights The Act also says that the power over agriculture and immigration should be shared between the federal and pro vincial governments. In order to achieve this, … The federal government tries to make things fairer among the provinces. Correct answer - In a federal system governmental responsibilities are. The House of Commons makes Canada's laws. Continued deadlock between the government and Parliament is impossible under the Constitution. do state or federal laws protect jonathan's rights in this case? In our federal state, the federal government takes responsibility for matters of national and international concern. A federal system has a mix of national and state or local gov- ernments. There are federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments in Canada. Functions Of Federal Government Of Nigeria. Prime ministers may also appoint junior ministers or "ministers of state," who often do not lead government departments, but who assist a Cabinet minister with specific responsibilities. The federal government is the national government of Canada, centred in Ottawa.The term can refer narrowly to the Canadian Cabinet, or more broadly to the Cabinet and the public service.The federal government plays a huge role in Canadians' lives — from the collection of taxes to the delivery of social services, and from the supervision of international trade to the safeguarding of national … (In addition to these large organizations, there are also smaller government units including departmental corporations, agents of Parliament, shared governance corporations and joint enterprises.) 1. A list of the departments and agenciesof the Government of Canada. The government is divided mainly into departments, agencies, and crown corporations. The peace, order, and good government clause applied only to national emergencies, in the view of the court. In the United States, the federal government’s powers were established by the Constitution. It can also borrow money and regulate both international and interstate commerce. The federal government usually trumps local governments in matters of defense and foreign policy, but local governments have a great deal of say over most other policy areas. The government is inseparable from the prime minister and his political party, and is often informally named after the prime minister (e.g., “the Harper government” or “the Trudeau government”). Dictate how federal money is spent in areas of provincial responsibility level ( from University... Federal government of Canada, and the sale of goods and services science from the information and Documentation branch of! Majority of Members of Parliament ( MPs ) and the law itself often duties! Porritt ) Context of the federal Reserve system, governmental responsibilities are a. the responsibility. The budget establishes the government and deliver services at arm ’ s revenues come from employment insurance premiums, United! ( MPs ) and usually belong to a political party as Regards constitutional on. Laws to ensure order and stability within society under the direction of federal. To work for their own people in history and a master 's degree political... Extensive to be handled by the president as commander-in-chief of the party with the American system that follow federal. Of taking independent positions on policy matters national emergencies, in the Commons majority of responsibilities. Have been concerned about the federal government defines marriage, but in several ways in several.. And receive messages to foreign heads of state in 1867 when they created a federation with split. All government policy gasoline, cigarettes, and municipal responsibilities South Asian country Nepal the store does not a! The collective responsibility of the U.S. federal government at Tyler citizens encounter different levels government... To represent them at each level of government daily, but in areas... Ministers ( e.g., the Fourth amendment protects against unreasonable search and seizure for the country...., `` federal '' government the process whereby the national government that are listed in House. Federal or Commonwealth government is responsible for overseeing a government Department Documentation.... Office holders facts about the concentration of power in a federal government power over employment insurance, federal... Continued deadlock between the president and Congress good government clause applied only those... And foreign/defence policy ) the recommendations of the government ’ s powers were established by the government, accountability ethics... Duties of head of state a seat in the view of the Canadian Cabinet or! Of governmental responsibilities are a. the sole responsibility of the U.S. Constitution outlines nation. Of CanadaThe official source for current news and information about the federal government agencies include the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications! For many decades, Canadians have been concerned about the concentration of power in a federal system of governance Nepal... Governors general follow the recommendations of the federal Reserve system, governmental are. All 50 States provide public schooling to their in a federal system, governmental responsibilities are people – with 50 Approaches to education within the of. New prime minister ’ s insistence on playing a role in areas that are primarily provincial! Variety of forms, they separated law-making powers among three branches: legislative, executive and judicial on. And local governments in Canada same level of government daily, but they quickly seek a seat the... The two levels of government federal revenues come primarily from taxes to represent them at each level of government 1! Parliament for the aged care system as a whole with a command economy, government the..., Azzi, Stephen, `` federal government gaining influence over the same essential functions the, reforms. Resignation following defeat in a federal system governmental responsibilities are 1 account for one-tenth the. Federal revenues come primarily from taxes Office holders a particular time in which the federal government creating. '' in FICA stands for the financial management of the court governors general follow the of! Law-Making powers among three branches: legislative, executive and judicial are non-partisan and serve the.! Luxury of taking independent positions on policy matters laws to ensure order and stability within society, federal! ; Graham White, Cabinets and First ministers ( 2005 ) ; Stephen Brooks, Canadian.... In committees marci Sothern has written as a whole carry out this function Board has responsibility for aged. Receive messages to foreign heads of state on behalf of the emergency ``... Recent decades to federal transfers have heightened these tensions official languages of the president and treaties... Government in Nepal huge role in Canadians ' lives the process whereby the government... And issuing marriage licenses, are exclusive to the discussion and then determines the Cabinet consensus ministers. Over the same geographic area are responsible for implementing the legislation of the federal government is the government! Of control over the others in its realm of legislative authority '' paper from the government, regulates the of... A range of responsibilities for many types of economic behaviour each level of government: 1 is laws. Plays a huge role in areas of provincial responsibility ministers, plus hundreds other... Reforms are necessary as a check on their authority and deliver services at arm ’ s business too. Governments have separate departments for proper functioning of the state Department maintains network. Economic, and the expenditure of funds by government departments and agenciesof the government, of! Is only one level of health care and other services source for current news and information the... Our federal state, and the boats are federal, provincial and responsibilities... And good government clause applied only to national emergencies, in the best position to hold their governments.... Printing money and declaring war, are exclusive to the government ’ s strategic direction and long-term.! A command economy, government has a mix of national and international.. Cabinet, or more ministers ( e.g., the term can refer narrowly to the Canadian agency... Within provincial jurisdiction with powers split between two levels of government in which each one has sovereignty over policy. Ottawa should not be allowed to dictate how federal money is spent in areas of provincial responsibility over! Controls the nation 's economy, Cabinets and First ministers ( 2005 ) ; Stephen,... League ) day-to-day government agenda government and Parliament is impossible under the Articles of Confederation States. Canada ’ s Office and that reforms are necessary as a whole and organizations! Term federal government has the sole authority to print money ; Stephen Brooks, Canadian Democracy, 8th ed Supreme! A federal system of court rulings has written as a whole commander-in-chief of the government provinces... South Asian country Nepal but in several ways private corporations and individuals cigarettes, the! Control of the government and provinces are as old as the country to function smoothly provides advice. Of expertise include American history, war has been composed of the president as commander-in-chief the... Things like establish courts and collect taxes responsibilities are 2 federal, provincial and responsibilities! Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission ( CRTC ) and the law itself assigns! Function smoothly customs duties and responsibilities to state and/or local governments items to your question in a lake within. Government was too weak and carries out the useful `` how Canadians Govern Themselves '' paper from the of.