World Factbook
Canada
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: two vertical bands of red on each side, with a white square between them; a large 11-pointed red maple leaf is centered in the white square meaning: the maple leaf is a national symbol
Capital
name
Ottawa
etymology
the city lies on the south bank of the Ottawa River, from which it derives its name; the river name comes from the Algonquin word adawe , meaning "to trade"
time zone note
Canada has six time zones
time difference
UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November
geographic coordinates
45 25 N, 75 42 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
yes
citizenship by descent only
yes
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
minimum of 3 of last 5 years resident in Canada
Constitution
history
consists of unwritten and written acts, customs, judicial decisions, and traditions dating from 1763; the written part of the constitution consists of the Constitution Act of 29 March 1867, which created a federation of four provinces, and the Constitution Act of 17 April 1982
amendment process
proposed by either house of Parliament or by the provincial legislative assemblies; there are 5 methods for passage though most require approval by both houses of Parliament, approval of at least two thirds of the provincial legislative assemblies and assent and formalization as a proclamation by the governor general in council; the most restrictive method is reserved for amendments affecting fundamental sections of the constitution, such as the office of the monarch or the governor general, and the constitutional amendment procedures, which require unanimous approval by both houses and by all the provincial assemblies, and assent of the governor general in council
Country name
etymology
the name is probably derived from the Huron or Iroquois word kanata , meaning village or camp
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Canada
Independence
1 July 1867 (union of British North American colonies); 11 December 1931 (recognized by UK per Statute of Westminster)
Legal system
common law system except in Quebec, where civil law based on the French civil code prevails
Government type
federal parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Canada) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm; federal and state authorities and responsibilities regulated in constitution
Judicial branch
note
note: in 1999, the Nunavut Court -- a circuit court with the power of a provincial superior court, as well as a territorial court -- was established to serve isolated settlements
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of Canada (consists of the chief justice and 8 judges)
subordinate courts
federal level: Federal Court of Appeal; Federal Court; Tax Court; federal administrative tribunals; Courts Martial; provincial/territorial level: provincial superior, appeals, first instance, and specialized courts
judge selection and term of office
chief justice and judges appointed by the prime minister in council; all judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 75
Executive branch
note
note: the governor general position is largely ceremonial
cabinet
Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister usually from among members of his/her own party sitting in Parliament
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Mary SIMON (since 26 July 2021)
head of government
Prime Minister Mark CARNEY (since 14 March 2025)
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a 5-year term; after legislative elections, the governor general usually designates the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Commons as prime minister
National holiday
Canada Day, 1 July (1867)
National color(s)
red, white
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
22 (10 cultural, 11 natural, 1 mixed) (2021)
selected World Heritage Site locales
L'Anse aux Meadows (c); Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks (n); Dinosaur Provincial Park (n); Historic District of Old Quebec (c); Old Town Lunenburg (c); Wood Buffalo National Park (n); Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump (c); Gros Morne National Park (n); Pimachiowin Aki (m)
Political parties
Bloc Québécois Conservative Party of Canada or CPC Green Party of Canada Liberal Party of Canada New Democratic Party
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament of Canada - Parlement du Canada
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
royal anthem, as a Commonwealth country
lyrics/music
unknown
National symbol(s)
maple leaf, beaver
National coat of arms
The current design of the Royal Coat of Arms of Canada was adopted in 1921 and references the four nations that helped found Canada. England is represented with royal lions, a union flag, and a rose, and Scotland with a royal lion, a unicorn, and a thistle. Ireland’s symbols include a harp and a shamrock, and France’s symbols are a royal fleur-de-lis and a royal flag. The maple leaves are the Canadian national symbol. A red circle displays the motto Desiderantes Meliorem Patriam (Desiring a Better Country), and a blue ribbon displays A Mari usque ad Mare (From Sea to Sea).
Administrative divisions
10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Québec, Saskatchewan, Yukon*
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Commons
term in office
4 years
number of seats
343 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
4/28/2025
expected date of next election
October 2029
percentage of women in chamber
30.3%
parties elected and seats per party
Liberal Party (169); Conservative Party (144); Bloc Québécois (BQ) (22); Other (30)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate
number of seats
105 (all appointed)
percentage of women in chamber
54.8%
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 682-7738
chancery
501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001
telephone
[1] (844) 880-6519
trade office(s)
Houston, Palo Alto (CA), San Diego; note - there are trade offices in the Consulates General
chief of mission
Ambassador Kirsten HILLMAN (since 17 July 2020)
consulate(s) general
Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco, Seattle
email address and website
ccs.scc@international.gc.ca https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/us-eu/washington.aspx?lang=eng
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[1] (613) 241-7845
embassy
490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8
telephone
[1] (613) 688-5335
consulate(s)
Winnipeg
mailing address
5480 Ottawa Place, Washington DC 20521-5480
chief of mission
Ambassador Pete HOEKSTRA (since 29 April 2025)
consulate(s) general
Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Vancouver
email address and website
OttawaNIV@state.gov https://ca.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CD, CDB, CE (observer), EAPC, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAFTA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNMISS, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, USMCA, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction