Central to the organization of government in Canada is the principle of federalism. Under this principle, Canada is divided into two constitutionally autonomous levels of government: the federal or central government, and the provincial governments. The nation’s basic division of government plays an important role in public finances and public policy. The basic framework and operation of Canadian federalism are discussed in this article with specific emphasis on the concept of federalism, the different levels of government, the formal division of powers, the operation of fiscal federalism, and the key means of interaction between different governments.
[Read more…] about Federalism in CanadaFiscal Imbalance Debate in Canada
Federal-provincial relations in Canada have been dominated in recent years by debate over the “fiscal imbalance,” defined as the apparent shortfall of provincial government revenues compared to the federal government’s surpluses, relative to the spending requirements of each level of government under the Constitution. This article gives an overview of debate on the fiscal imbalance in Canada, including a summary of its origins, as well as discussions of alternative perspectives on the issue.
[Read more…] about Fiscal Imbalance Debate in CanadaCanada’s Electoral System
While the origins of some elements of Canada’s electoral system can be traced back to medieval England, others have been added more recently and reflect changes in the way that election campaigns have evolved, as well as an ongoing concern that elections be kept free and fair. This article gives an overview of Canada’s federal and provincial electoral systems, including their basic framework and operation, their historical development, as well as key rules governing the conduct of political parties, election candidates, and the media.
[Read more…] about Canada’s Electoral SystemLocal Government in Canada
Local government plays a significant role in the everyday lives of Canadians. This feature provides an introduction to the organization and institutions of local government. In particular, it offers a general discussion of what local governments are and their relationship to other levels of government in Canada. Moreover, this article also provides a detailed examination of basic political and bureaucratic structures in municipalities, the most common form of local government.
[Read more…] about Local Government in CanadaParliamentary Government in Canada
Canada’s parliamentary system is a central component to its government. This system frames the relationship between Canadians and their political leaders, the manner in which laws are passed, and the organization and authority of key government positions and institutions. This article introduces the concept of Parliamentary government and provides an overview of how Canada’s parliamentary system operates at both the federal and provincial/territorial levels.
[Read more…] about Parliamentary Government in CanadaMeech Lake Accord
The Meech Lake Accord is a set of failed constitutional amendments, proposed in the late-1980s. One of the key objectives of the Meech Lake Accord was to gain Quebec’s explicit acceptance of the Constitution Act, 1982. It was the first attempt to amend the Constitution under the new rules for constitutional change set out in the Constitution Act, 1982. The purpose of this article is to provide a general introduction to the Meech Lake Accord, including the substance of the agreement and an overview of why it failed to be ratified. In providing this general introduction, this article overviews the main clauses in the Meech Lake Accord, arguments for and against the Accord, and provides a chronology of events leading to its eventual demise.
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