Parliamentary Buildings in Ottawa 
© Library of Parliament, Mone Cheng

The federal government, headquartered in Ottawa, Canada's capital, is responsible for issues that affect the country as a whole, such as international relations, immigration, criminal law, taxes, national defense and foreign policy.

The federal government is made up of elected representatives – called Members of Parliament or MPs – from every province and territory in Canada. The political party that elects the most MPs forms the federal government. Their leader becomes the head of the federal government, called the Prime Minister.