Key Responsibilities of the Federal Government

• National Defense & Military – Oversees the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and national security.
• Foreign Affairs & Trade – Manages diplomatic relations, international trade agreements, embassies, and immigration policies.
• Immigration & Citizenship – Sets rules for immigration, refugee status, and citizenship applications.
• Criminal Law – Defines criminal offenses and penalties (though enforcement is mainly handled by provinces).
• Money & Banking – Controls the Bank of Canada, currency, interest rates, and economic policies.
• Employment Insurance (EI) & Pensions – Oversees EI benefits, Canada Pension Plan (CPP), and Old Age Security (OAS).
• Indigenous Affairs – Responsible for policies affecting Indigenous peoples, including treaties and federal funding.
• Transportation & Infrastructure – Regulates airports, railways, national highways, and pipelines.
• Census & Statistics – Collects and manages national data (e.g., Statistics Canada).
• Federal Taxes & National Budget – Manages tax collection through Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and national spending.

Shared Responsibilities with Provinces

• Healthcare (Federal sets standards; provinces manage hospitals)
• Education for Indigenous Peoples (Federal government oversees on-reserve education)
• Environmental Protection (Federal laws apply nationally, but provinces regulate locally)