INTRODUCTION TO CANADA AND CANADIAN FEDERALISM Forum of Federations Intensive Course on Democratic Federalism

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INTRODUCTION TO CANADA AND CANADIAN
FEDERALISMForum of FederationsIntensive Course
on Democratic Federalism

• Origins and Historical Evolution of Canada
• Constitutional Structure
• Division of Powers Between Ottawa and the
  Provinces
• Major Trends and Events
• Conclusion

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ORIGINS AND HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF CANADA

• People
• Confederation 1867
• Development

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CONSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE

• Two Key Constitutional Documents
• Constitution Act, 1867
• Constitution Act, 1982
• Constitutional Principles
• Central Functions of the Constitution

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DIVISION OF POWERS BETWEEN OTTAWA AND THE
PROVINCES

• Peace, Order and Good Government
• Sections 91 and 92 of the 1867 Constitution
• General Principles for Allocating Powers
• General Functions of Each Order of Government

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MAJOR TRENDS AND EVENTS

• The Social and Political Economy of Canada
• Building the Welfare State/ Growth of National
  and Provincial Debts and Deficits (1950s,
  1960s, 1970s)
• Cutting Back the Welfare State/ Achievement of
  Budget Surpluses (1980s, 1990s)
• Trying to Get the Balance Right
• The Competitive Building of Political Communities
  (1950-95)
• Nation Building in Quebec
• Province Building Elsewhere in Canada
• Nation Building in Canada as a Whole
• Ongoing Management of the Federation (1995 the
  present)

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CONCLUSION

• Began as a Quasi-Federation Now Is a Genuine
  Federation
• Began as a Highly Centralized Federation Now Is
  a Highly Decentralized Federation
• Division of Powers - Began With a System of
  Watertight Compartments Now Powers and
  Responsibilities of Each Order of Government
  Collide Entanglement and Competition
• The Federal Government Had a Paternalistic,
  Oversight Role at the Beginning Now Provinces
  Are Autonomous and Two Orders of Government Are
  Equally Sovereign in Their Spheres of
  Jurisdiction
• Canada Had in 1867 and Still Has Today a Federal
  System Dominated by the Executive at Both Levels
• Quebecs Status in the Federation Remains
  Formally Unresolved, But Life Goes On