Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
New York's government is led by a governor who holds power over hundreds of appoint-
ments, and a legislature consisting of a 61-member Senate and 150-member Assembly.
Members of both houses are elected for two-year terms, and each house has standing com-
mittees concerned with public policy issues. The governor also appoints non-legislative
commissionstoinvestigatesuchproblemsaseducationaidandwelfareadministration. The
state's finances are overseen by an independently elected state comptroller.
New York is divided into 62 counties that are subdivided into towns. The towns contain
cities and villages, most governed by an executive, usually a mayor. Despite its decreasing
population, Buffalo is still the second largest city in New York State. Niagara Falls' popu-
lation of 50,000 ranks it as the 13th largest city in the state. Both Buffalo and Niagara Falls
aregovernedbymayorswhoworkwithelected councils. Buffaloislocated inErieCounty;
NiagaraFallsisinNiagaraCounty.Thecombinedpopulationofthetwocountiesis1.1mil-
lion.
Canada is a democratic constitutional monarchy in which a sovereign acts as head of
state, but the national Parliament makes decisions and holds power. The monarch of Eng-
land functions as a symbolic and ceremonial representative.
Canadians elect a prime minster who heads the parliamentary government, which is
comprisedoftwochambers,theSenateandtheHouseofCommons.MembersoftheHouse
of Commons are elected by citizens, while Senate members are appointed by the governor-
general with the prime minister's recommendation. Government responsibilities are shared
between federal, provincial, and territorial governments.
Ontario is 1 of 10 provinces, analogous to state in the United States. Citizens in the
ProvinceofOntarioelectrepresentativestoalegislatureknownastheAssemblyofOntario.
The party with the most elected members in the Assembly forms the government and
chooses a premier for the province who acts as an executive.
Ontario is divided into 444 municipalities. These can be as large as Toronto, or as tiny
as a village of 100 people. There are several types of municipalities, and each has different
governing responsibilities, such as raising taxes, maintaining highways, or administering
emergency services. It is typical for a mayor and several councillors to make decisions at
the municipal level.
