Federalism1997

Federalism: The Canadian Experience offers readers an insight into a fascinating form of federalism. The founding fathers of the Canadian Federation attempted to draft a constitution that would ensure a centralized structure with a weak senate and limited power for the provinces. However, over time the process of decision making became more decentralized (in contrast to the USA and Australia for example, where it became more centralized) because of the pressure of sociopolitical and economic realities. The role of French-speaking Quebec in the development of Canadian federalism can hardly be overestimated. Various efforts have been made to accommodate the demands of Quebec for recognition as a "distinct society", but little has been done thus far to restructure the constitution on a grand scale. The ethic interaction, the demands of the indigenous people, the Charter of Rights and Freedom, intergovernmental relations and the asymmetry between the provinces are all matters that require further analysis and discussion.