What is a government?
A government is a group of people who make rules and decisions for a community, a province or state, or a whole country. Governments also provide services: helpful things that everyone can use.
Think of a government like the people who run your school. The principal and staff make rules and make sure there are teachers, books and a clean building. A government does the same kind of job, but for a whole town or country.
Leaders
A leader guides a group and helps make decisions. Many government leaders are chosen by grown-ups in an election.
| Place | Leader | Where they meet |
|---|---|---|
| City or town | mayor and council | city hall or town hall |
| Province (Canada) | premier | the legislature |
| State (U.S.) | governor | the state capitol |
| Canada | prime minister | Parliament in Ottawa |
| United States | president | the White House and Congress in Washington, D.C. |
Services the government gives us
Governments help us in lots of ways.
Keeping us safe
- fire departments put out fires
- police help people and keep order
- ambulances take sick or hurt people to the hospital
- traffic lights and crosswalks help us cross safely
Helping us learn and play
- public schools teach children
- libraries lend books for free
- parks, playgrounds, pools and rinks give us places to play
Keeping things clean and working
- clean water comes to our taps
- garbage and recycling trucks take away waste
- road crews fix potholes and clear snow
- buses and trains take people where they need to go
Other helpers
- mail carriers deliver letters
- park rangers take care of nature and wildlife
- health inspectors check that restaurants are clean
People who work for the government
Many community helpers work for the government. Firefighters, teachers at public schools, librarians, bus drivers, snowplow drivers and mail carriers are all part of public services. They work hard so the whole community can be safe and happy.
Who pays for it?
Services cost money. Workers need to be paid, and things like fire trucks and libraries cost a lot.
Grown-ups pay taxes. A tax is money people give to the government so it can pay for services. When everyone pays a little, there is enough money for things everyone shares, like schools and parks.
When you buy something at a store, you might see a little tax added to the price on your receipt.
How you can help
Kids help the government and the community too!
- Put garbage and recycling in the right bins.
- Take care of library books and return them on time.
- Keep parks and playgrounds clean.
- Follow safety rules, like crossing at the crosswalk.
- Say thank you to people who help us.
Try it yourself
- Name three government services you used this week.
- Who is the leader of your town or city? Ask a grown-up to help you find out.
- Draw a picture of your favourite place in your community that the government takes care of.
- Play "Who helps?": a grown-up names a problem, like a fire or a pothole, and you name the helper.
Tip for families
Visit your city hall, library or local fire station. Many offer tours and story times for children.
Quick recap
- A government makes rules and decisions and gives services to everyone.
- A mayor leads a town; a premier or governor leads a province or state; a prime minister or president leads a country.
- Services include schools, libraries, parks, fire departments and clean water.
- Taxes pay for these services.
- Kids can help by caring for their community.