Why isn't the prime minister on my ballot?

Just in time for our current web feature on how our political system is frequently misunderstood, the Dominion Institute has published a poll demonstrating Canadians' unfamiliarity with our political system.

The poll asked four basic questions:

• Who is our head of state?
• How can Canada's system of government best be described?
• Do Canadians elect the prime minister directly?
• Can the Governor General refuse a prime minister's request for an election?

42% of Canadians believe that the Prime Minister is the head of state, while only 24% correctly identified the Queen.

41% of Canadians did not know that Canada is a constitutional monarchy.

And - good news if things should come to this in January - 90% of Canadians understand that the Governor General can refuse a prime minister's request for an election. 

However, 51% of those polled believe that Canadians directly elect the prime minister. We can only imagine their confusion two months ago when Stephen Harper, Stephane Dion and Jack Layton didn't appear on their ballot.

More information is available in this Canadian Press article today.