Of course, governments are responsible for the defense of Canada internationally as well as law enforcement in Canada. As one would also expect, it is government that looks after immigration, and the regulation of money and of currency, but government also provides services such as weather forecasting, the postal system, and the preservation of historic sites and monuments.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is a federal government ministry that transfers public monies to Native groups, helps with their self-government programs, economic and social development, and the settling of land claims. The traditional government involvement in Native peoples' lives was much more extensive between 1850 and 1970. However, it has decreased in the past two decades both because Natives have demanded more control of their communities and because the federal government hoped to save money by decreasing its involvement.

Most schools, colleges, universities, libraries, hospitals, archives, and museums are operated with public money, and so are many theatres, art galleries, concert halls, and sports facilities, although more private operation has occurred in the past two decades than ever before.

The federal government created the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the National Science and Engineering Council, and the Medical Research Council to oversee, encourage, and fund much of the research conducted at Canadian universities. The National Research Council is a federal Crown Corporation with a staff of some 3,000 researchers. They conduct research and also provide technological support to industries in Canada.

Most competitive sports are organized by provincial and national governing bodies, and fishing, hunting, boating, hiking, and camping all require government-issued permits.

Resource extraction (fishing, mining, logging, and so forth) is conducted by private companies, but governments collect royalty payments, establish quotas, and conduct environmental studies before granting approval for new developments or renewed approval for existing developments.

Water and air pollution are monitored by Environment Canada and various provincial government agencies. Government also approves and licenses all facilities where hazardous wastes may be deposited, although some of these facilities are operated by private companies.