Fiscal Federalism and the Burden of History
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Authors
Stevenson, Garth
Date
2007
Type
working paper
Language
en
Keyword
Fiscal Federalism 2007
Alternative Title
Abstract
Can anything be done to end the intergovernmental disputes over fiscal federalism? Thousands of Canadians have probably asked themselves this question since Sir John A. Macdonald’s government offered “better terms” to a discontented Nova Scotia in January 1869, an initiative which provoked perhaps predictable complaints (and demands for compensation) in the legislative assembly of Ontario. Although the fiscal structure of the Canadian state has actually changed beyond recognition over nearly a century and a half, the continuity of provincial discontent with our intergovernmental fiscal arrangements, and of the rhetoric with which it is expressed, is certainly impressive. Only the weather has been as durable a source of Canadian unhappiness, and even that may decline in importance with global warming.
Description
Paper from the IIGR "Fiscal Federalism and the Future of Canada – Conference Proceedings" held Sept 28-29, 2006 – Folio 6
Citation
Publisher
Queen's University Institute of Intergovernmental Relations