The Creation of the Council of the Federation

Abstract

The current Quebec government, when it took office in the spring of 2003 made the revitalisation of Canadian federalism one of its main objectives by seeking to enhance the role of the provinces on national issues and have them reassume leadership in their own fields of jurisdiction. As demonstrated by the «plan to establish a new era of constructive and cooperative federalism» adopted at the 44th annual premiers’ conference in Charlottetown in July 2003, this objective was also shared by the other provinces. For a reminder, in addition to the creation of a Council of the Federation proposed by Quebec, this plan featured items such as the request for an annual first ministers conference, consultation of the provinces on federal nominations and the establishment of guidelines in the conduct of federal-provincial-territorial relations.