Final answer:
Canada operates under a parliamentary government, where the Prime Minister is the chief political official, selected by the legislature, and the head of state is ceremonial.
Step-by-step explanation:
Canada has a parliamentary government. This form of government is characterized by the separation of the head of state and the head of government, with the Prime Minister serving as the chief political official who is selected by and accountable to the legislature, rather than directly by the populace.
In a parliamentary system, the executive leaders like the prime minister and cabinet are usually members of the legislative branch and rely on the support of the majority of the legislature to remain in power.
Nations such as Canada and Australia utilize this system, and it is distinct from presidential and semi-presidential systems, where the head of government is often elected separately from the legislative branch.
In Canada's parliamentary system, the head of state is a ceremonial figure, and real political power resides with the elected officials within the government, typically the Prime Minister and the cabinet. This structure allows for a government that is more directly accountable to the legislative body, which in turn is elected by the citizens.