Traditionally, Atlantic Canada has proven to be a strong ally of both Canadian federalism and of federal government involvement in its economic, social, and financial life. Nevertheless, the relations between the federal government and the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island have been strained at times. This article provides an introduction to key issues and debates in Canadian federalism by looking through the lens of Atlantic Canada. The feature covers the regional economy and federal development policy, provincial finances and fiscal federalism, and offshore energy and relations between the federal government and the region.
[Read more…] about Federalism and the Atlantic Provinces2008 Alberta General Election
On March 3, 2008, Alberta voters returned the Progressive Conservative Party to power for the eleventh consecutive time. The election was a landslide win for the PC Party, whom improved both their seat total in the legislature and their share of the popular vote from the 2004 general election. The victory was viewed as a strong endorsement for Premier Ed Stelmach, whom had replaced former party leader and Premier Ralph Klein in 2007. The election was also a major disappointment for the other major political parties, whom saw substantial losses in their seat totals and electoral support. This article provides background information on the 2008 Alberta general election, including the previous general election, party standings prior to dissolution of the legislature, pre-election polls, leader biographies and platforms of the major political parties in the election, and a summary of the election results.
[Read more…] about 2008 Alberta General ElectionThe Official Opposition in the Canadian House of Commons
The opposition is an important element of the Canadian parliamentary tradition and the day-to-day operation of government. This article examines the role, structure and powers of the opposition in Canada’s premier national legislature, the House of Commons. This includes discussions of the basic nature of opposition politics, the powers of the opposition in the House, the role of the Official Opposition (as a component of the opposition), and the disadvantages faced by the opposition in its relationship with the government.
[Read more…] about The Official Opposition in the Canadian House of CommonsCanadian Federalism and Public Health Care
One of the most critical issues in Canadian federalism since the 1950s has been the delivery of public health care. This article provides an introduction to the nature and evolution of federal and provincial relations in the area of health care policy, with particular focus on the fiscal and policy aspects and their impact. Included is a discussion of the basic division of powers in health care, Canadian federalism and the introduction of public health care, and shifts in this federal-provincial relationship since the 1950s.
[Read more…] about Canadian Federalism and Public Health CareFederalism in Canada
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 Canada