Quebec and Interprovincial Discussion and Consultation
Loading...
Authors
Ryan, Claude
Date
2003
Type
working paper
Language
en
Keyword
Special Series on the Council of the Federation 2003
Alternative Title
Abstract
In English Canada, it is generally thought that the 1867 British North America Act created a country with two orders of government, a national government to administer national affairs and local governments to administer local affairs. This vision, which gives a preponderant role to federal power, never received much support in Quebec. Indeed, at least until recently, Quebecers have generally seen Confederation as the expression of a pact that allowed equal contracting parties to develop in their own way while still being part of a larger whole. According to this vision, the provinces are the prime movers behind Confederation, at least on the historical and political fronts, if not the legal one. Instead of merely being provinces responsible for governing local affairs, they form an order of government that is sovereign within its jurisdiction. Quebec in particular is the seat of government of a national community. Its legislature and government are national institutions, at least in their jurisdictions.
Description
© IIGR, Queen’s University; IRPP, Montreal.
Citation
Publisher
Queen's University Institute of Intergovernmental Relations