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Dear John,
Canada’s federal and provincial governments are the most successful — and regional unrest is quietest — when the different levels of government remain in their constitutional lanes.
When the federal government encroaches on provincial responsibility, such as during the 1970s, regional tensions and separatist threats increase.
By contrast, during times of so-called “passive federalism” when Ottawa doesn’t intrude in areas of provincial jurisdiction, such as the mid-1990s to 2015, regional tensions and support for separatist movements subside.
Crucially, since 2014/15, Ottawa has been intruding again into areas of provincial responsibility, notably with dental care, pharma care, daycare and the carbon tax, among other policies.
Except for certain federal interventions during times of national crisis, Canada functions best when the federal government doesn’t interfere in matters of provincial responsibility.
Learn more here, and be sure to share it on social media.
Sincerely,
Niels Veldhuis
President
The Fraser Institute
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