Canada: the State of the Federation, 1999-2000

The authors begin with an examination of recent developments in the theoretical literature surrounding fiscal federalism. They then examine some of the major issues facing the federation - Is there a vertical imbalance between federal and provincial governments? Does Ottawa collect more revenues than are needed relative to its spending responsibilities while the provinces are under-funded? How do federal-provincial struggles over money and jurisdictional power affect local government or the para-public sector, emerging aboriginal governments, and citizens? Federal government actions in 1999 suggest that Ottawa has not lost all of its interest in social outcomes. It is, however, seeking to influence the well-being of citizens by transferring money to them directly rather than through transfers to provinces. The authors suggest that if this trend continues the approach to the millennium will be seen as a watershed in public policy, given that current trends in Canadian fiscal federalism are as much about re-balancing the federation as they are about decentralization. Contributors include Frances Abele (Carleton), Richard Bird (Toronto), Robin Boadway (Queen's), Estée Garfin (Queen's), Paul Hobson (Queen's), Harry Kitchen (Trent), Harvey Lazar, Jack Mintz (C.D. Howe), Ken Norrie (Alberta), Lars Osberg (Dalhousie), Michael Prince (Victoria), France St-Hilaire (Institute for Research on Public Policy), François Vaillancourt (Montreal), Ronald Watts (Queen's), and Sam Wilson (Alberta).

Harvey Lazar is fellow, Institute of Intergovernmental Relations, Queen's University, and senior research associate, Centre for Global Studies, University of Victoria.