Speaking of Asymmetry. Canada and the 'Belgian Model'
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Authors
Lecours, André
Date
2005
Type
working paper
Language
en
Keyword
Asymmetric Federalism Series 2005
Alternative Title
Abstract
In October 2004, Conservative party leader Stephen Harper suggested that Belgium could serve as a source of inspiration for thinking about Canadian federalism. More specifically, Harper was interested in the Belgian division of power between the federal government and two types of federated units, territorial and non-territorial. Harper suggested that instead of decentralizing power to the provinces, the federal and provincial governments could set up ‘Anglophone and Francophone community institutions’ to take charge of policy areas such as culture, broadcasting and international relations. Of course, floating ideas about the renewal of Canadian federalism made good strategic sense for Harper. He was giving his speech in Quebec City only a few months after a federal election where his party was unsuccessful in winning a single seat in Quebec. On the heels of a ‘health deal’ touted by the Quebec government as paving the way for asymmetrical federalism in Canada, and in the context of claims by the Quebec government for more autonomy in international affairs, references to alternate forms of federalism were bound to resonate.
Description
© IIGR, School of Policy Studies, Queen’s University
Citation
Publisher
Queen's University Institute of Intergovernmental Relations