In Canada we elect people to represent us at different
levels: federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal
(local). The
Constitution grants different areas of responsibility to the federal Parliament
and provincial Legislatures. Under the Constitution, Parliament has the
authority to govern the territories, but in practice it has turned much of that
authority over to the territorial governments.
The Constitution does not
provide for local governments, so each province creates its own elected bodies
and gives them certain responsibilities. The Parliament of Canada makes
laws for the entire country, while each provincial or territorial Legislature
makes laws that apply only in that province or territory.