Our federal style of government indeed provides greater domestic power to the head of state in Canada, our charter protects our rights for a democratic election every 5 years that's about it.

Our history with conscription compared to the USA also brings into question how much of a totalitarian state we all live in.

Checks & balances only work if they are used, otherwise you are still two years before any changes can be made. Whereas in Canada we can collapse our government anytime we lose confidence in it. Unfortunately we are ruled by the tyranny of the majority in both nations Mr Freedom.