• Monarch: The King, represented by the Governor General, is also part of the executive branch. However, while the monarch has power in Canada, they do not use it – it is the Prime Minister who truly leads the government.
  
  
• Prime Minister: The Prime Minister is the head of the federal government. They play many roles, including deciding the government’s agenda and selecting their Cabinet.
  
  
• Cabinet: The Prime Minister selects a number of leading advisors, usually among members of their party, to be sworn in as ministers. The cabinet is the key decision-making body of the government. Cabinet develops policies to govern the country and introduces bills to transform these policies into law. 
  
• Political staff: Cabinet ministers can appoint staffers who work in their offices and help to carry out the minister’s priorities. These political staff are often focused on policy, communications, and meeting with stakeholders. 
  

At the provincial or territorial level, the executive branch looks very similar. The monarch is the head of state, and there is a cabinet who have their own political staff. The main difference is that the head of government is called the Premier. The Premier decides the government’s priorities, proposes laws and appoints members of cabinet.  

 

At the municipal level, the executive branch usually includes a Mayor, who is the head of government within the municipality.