The Government of Canada's Contradictory Approach to Federal-Provincial Relations

Abstract

The Government of Canada's approach to intergovernmental relations often appears contradictory. As one political scientist described it, the approach "has alternated between trying to reinforce its authority and devolving its own powers." This paper tests this assessment by addressing this question: is the pattern described evident in the case of the Government of Canada's handling of its maternity and parental benefits program? The paper demonstrates that it is. It argues further that federal ambivalence about the constitutional vision it wishes to champion appears to be a significant factor to explain the contradictory nature of the Government of Canada's approach to relations with the provincial governments.