Canada is under a dictatorship, not a democracy!!!

Firstly, I'd like to offer Psalmist thanks for initiating a debate regarding the Canadian Government. It may not be as exciting as politics in the United States, but it deserves discussion nonetheless. I'm by no means a savant in this subject, but on the grounds that I'm delighted to see such a debate, I will gladly accept the challenge. ______________________________________________________________________ "Canada is a democratic constitutional monarchy. Every act of government is passed in the name of the Queen, but the authority for every act flows from the Canadian people." [1] My opponent claims that because the Queen Elizabeth II holds a ceremonial seat of 'executive power', we do not classify as a democratic nation. I negate this claim and present the following: "The Executive Government and Authority of and over Canada is hereby declared to continue and be vested in the Queen." It is Parliament and the provincial legislature, rather than the governor general and the lieutenant-governors as representatives of the Crown, that give active expression to the political will of Canadians. Accordingly, constitutional convention plays a vital role in the form and function of the executive branch of government and its central agencies. "While the Constitution Act, 1867 grants the political executive an advisory role in relation to the Crown, in practice that advice is expressed in legislative instruments such as orders-in-council. The spirit of Canadian political culture, and indeed the progress of Canadian history itself is illuminated by the records emanating from the executive and the centre of government in Canada. [2] dictatorship noun a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.) [3] As we do in fact self-govern and have a constitution that offers the freedom to create/amend/abolish laws of our own accord, we would not classify as a dictatorship. deï¿½mocï¿½raï¿½cy n. pl. deï¿½mocï¿½raï¿½cies Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives. A political or social unit that has such a government. The common people, considered as the primary source of political power. Majority rule. [4] This defines great countries that allow its citizens to hold power over their own lives. I strongly believe Canada fits the title. Every system of government has an official who acts as a symbolic embodiment of the state and who acts as head of such. In a Constitutional Monarchy like Canada, the Monarch plays an important symbol. In Canada's case, a Symbolic Executive. In Canada the (symbolic) functions are acted out by our Governor General, Michaelle Jean. If you are to suggest that Canada is run by a dictator, you must also believe that the following countries, through connection to a monarchy are also below the term "Democracy": -Canada -Britain -Holland -Australia -India -Belgium -Sweden These are but a few countries that still retain an (symbolic) Executive. Canada is in fact a Constitutional Monarchy [5], wherein we recognize (in this case) The Queen as a figure with extremely limited power. Again, this power is limited namely by parliament and law. This Constitutional Monarchy must not be confused with an Absolute Monarchy, which grants all political power to a Queen or King. Even if my opponent's claims were to be found true, I offer spectators an excerpt from a 'Speech From The Throne', presented by the Queen's representative in Canada and our Governor General, Michaelle Jean: ...The Speech from the Throne is an important moment in our country's democratic life. Through the Speech from the Throne, the Government shares its vision with Canadians. And it is thus that we open the Second Session of the Thirty Ninth Parliament today... [6] Michaelle Jean, and by legal extension, Queen Elizabeth II, mention Canada as 'democratic'. Had the Queen complete and utter power in our nation, her word would be law. Canada is a Democratic Nation regardless of what you believe, and again, as the Monarch in question does not hold absolute power, I must reiterate the fact that Canada cannot and must not be classified as a Dictatorship. ______________________________________________________________________________________ 1. http://canada.gc.ca... 2. http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca... 3. http://dictionary.reference.com... 4. http://dictionary.reference.com... 5. http://dictionary.reference.com... 6. http://www.canada.com...