Federalism and Social Policy in Canada
Boismenu, Gérard
Federalism and Social Policy in Canada - 2008.
16
In Canada, the principal domains of social protection fall under provincial jurisdiction. The federal government did, however, play a key role in elaborating the general objectives and financing social protection. But in 1995, the ensemble of transfers to the Provinces was significantly reduced, thus obliging the Provinces to incorporate the policies of massive budgetary restrictions in their own services as well as in applying their programmes. As a result, the federal government’s moral authority to make policies in this domain was seriously undermined. This situation was aggravated by the growing gap between the federal government’s capacity (in excess) and that of the provincial governments (in deficit) to finance their programmes. But the federal government now intends to concentrate on the social policies’ main objectives by means of agreements with the Provinces, by creating foundations and through evaluations. It also wishes to control the results. Quebec has generally stayed away from these agreements and mechanisms implicating the two levels of power. However, a federalism of shared jurisdiction is something that could be foreseen.
Federalism and Social Policy in Canada - 2008.
16
In Canada, the principal domains of social protection fall under provincial jurisdiction. The federal government did, however, play a key role in elaborating the general objectives and financing social protection. But in 1995, the ensemble of transfers to the Provinces was significantly reduced, thus obliging the Provinces to incorporate the policies of massive budgetary restrictions in their own services as well as in applying their programmes. As a result, the federal government’s moral authority to make policies in this domain was seriously undermined. This situation was aggravated by the growing gap between the federal government’s capacity (in excess) and that of the provincial governments (in deficit) to finance their programmes. But the federal government now intends to concentrate on the social policies’ main objectives by means of agreements with the Provinces, by creating foundations and through evaluations. It also wishes to control the results. Quebec has generally stayed away from these agreements and mechanisms implicating the two levels of power. However, a federalism of shared jurisdiction is something that could be foreseen.
Réseaux sociaux