The Reality of Our Government

Written by Sophie Zhang
Edited by Jane Ling
Cover Image illustrated by Brian Stauffer

Everything we see in our daily lives, from the school we go to to the money we use, is a result of our government’s structure and actions. Canada’s government, termed a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy, holds great significance to our daily lives. However, what do these terms mean, and why should we give any thought to our government’s impact? All governments use different tools such as education, the economy, and regulations to create the societies that exist today.

In a constitutional monarchy, there exists a Head of State (also known as the Monarch). This position is currently held by King Charles III, who is the Monarch for all Commonwealth nations including Canada, Australia, and India. In this scenario, the power held by the Monarch is very limited as all decisions are allocated to the government. Canada’s parliamentary democracy is regarded as more important to what we see in our lives. In this system, citizens elect people to positions of leadership including a legislative parliament and Prime Minister. Democracies have the ability to represent a diverse, multicultural group of voices equally.

We are exposed to amazing educational resources at Havergal, but it can sometimes be difficult to draw connections between other educational institutions and the government’s impact. Our provincial government controls both private and public education systems, which includes primary to secondary to post-secondary institutions; education is mandatory from ages 6 to 18 in Ontario. As French is an official language, students also learn French from an early age. Education is arguably the biggest part of our lives at this moment, and it’s evident that government decisions directly affect this. For instance, you may have heard of recent strikes in the Toronto District School Board, and you may even know someone who attends school there. The employee union requested a pay raise from the government with a threat of a strike, creating a topic of great controversy. Good or bad, it’s clear that the system in place is a result of our government’s decisions.

Furthermore, as we hope to transition to a post-pandemic world and return to normal, it is difficult to ignore the lasting impacts caused by COVID-19, one of which is on the economy. Canada has one of the most developed economies in the world, and we are very lucky to enjoy this supply of goods. The businesses in Canada are not owned by the government, but it is undeniable that the government has an impact on the economy. The national government plays a huge role in international trade and disputes, taxes, and economic development. In March of 2020, we said goodbye to our friends and prepared ourselves for a regular March Break, which soon became the pandemic that we saw unravel. At the same time that our lives were disrupted, over a million small businesses also had to adjust to this new normal, making way for economic adversity. How is this relevant to the government? Our federal and provincial governments were in charge of responding to COVID-19 with regard to the economy. They directed billions of dollars in support to businesses, created policies for the revitalization of our economy, and controlled support for business owners and families. The government’s handling of this economic crisis, along with others in the past, demonstrates its power and influence over our daily lives.

In society today, a government system is necessary to create order and prevent chaos. Our individual quality of life and the potential for change in our community is largely dependent on a strong government. Although different governments over the world come with different strengths and flaws, it’s beyond doubt that many aspects of our lives are dependent on the government. It is extremely powerful to learn more about different parts of our society as we reach the age when we become engaged citizens with the ability to question our surroundings and form our own opinions.