lesson 6: federalism and intergovernmental relations

Question 1

What is federalism?

Answer 1

system of government in which power is divided between a national (federal) government and regional (provincial in Canada) governments

Question 2

Municipalities and territories do not have …

Answer 2

constitutional powers

Question 3

What are three ways to think about federalism?

Answer 3

As an institutional structure

As a characteristic of society (balancing unity and diversity

As multiple identities

Question 4

What are some characteristics of a federal system?

Answer 4

constitution that divides powers between different levels of government

A supreme court to act as an umpire for disputes

Mechanisms for intergovernmental relations horizontally (between provinces) and vertically (between the federal and provincial governments)

Fiscal arrangements for dividing revenue between levels of government

Question 5

What are the federal powers in Canada?

Answer 5

trade and commerce
national defence;
Indigenous peoples
criminal law and penitentiaries;

Question 6

What are the provincial powers in Canada?

Answer 6

public lands;
hospitals and health care;
municipal institutions;

Question 7

What is an example of interdependence between federal and provincial governments in Canada?

Answer 7

The legalization of cannabis demonstrates interdependence

fed government legalized cannabis, but each province has specific regulations

Question 8

What are the main revenue sources in Canada for both federal and provincial governments?

Answer 8

income taxes (personal and corporate)
general sales and consumption taxes,
and payroll taxes.

Question 9

Describe vertical fiscal imbalances in Canada

Answer 9

refer to the gap in financial capabilities between the federal and provincial governments

Question 10

How can vertical fiscal imbalances be addressed?

Answer 10

transferring cash
Transferring or reallocating taxes:
Shifting entire tax fields:
Shifting spending responsibilities

Question 11

what is transferring cash

Answer 11

The federal government provides intergovernmental grants to provinces.

Question 12

describe Transferring or reallocating taxes:

Answer 12

The federal government reduces its tax rates, allowing provinces to raise theirs

Question 13

Shifting entire tax fields

Answer 13

The federal government stops taxing a specific activity, and the provinces take over

Question 14

Shifting spending responsibilities

Answer 14

Services are uploaded from provincial to national governments

Question 15

Describe horizontal fiscal imbalances in Canada.

Answer 15

Horizontal fiscal imbalances occur between provinces due to regional economic disparities.

Question 16

how can horizontal fiscal imbalances be problematic

Answer 16

if some provinces cannot fulfill their constitutional responsibilities.

Question 17

____ equity is important for national utility

Answer 17

fiscal

Question 18

What are the three main types of intergovernmental transfers in Canada?

Answer 18

Payments to Individuals and Institutions
Shared-cost programs
Unconditional grants

Question 19

ex of Payments to Individuals and Institutions:

Answer 19

Canada Child Benefit

Question 20

Shared-cost programs

Answer 20

Canada Health and Social Transfers,

which are conditional grants to encourage provincial spending in areas deemed important by the federal governm

Question 21

Unconditional grants

Answer 21

Equalization Program,

which provides funding to less wealthy provinces to ensure comparable public services across the country

Question 22

What is treaty federalism?

Answer 22

the nation-to-nation approach historically used to manage relations between Indigenous and settler societies in Canada

Question 23

What is local government in Canada?

Answer 23

Local government in Canada encompasses municipalities and special-purpose bodies

democratically elected, provide essential services, and have some capacity for economic decision-making.

Question 24

What is the most important component of local government

Answer 24

municipal corporation

Question 25

What is a municipal corporation?

Answer 25

It is a legal entity acting on behalf of and responsible to the residents of a specific area.

It provides services to residents.

Question 26

What are the three types of Canadian municipalities?

Answer 26

single tier
upper tier
lower tier

Question 27

single tier

Answer 27

A single level of municipal government with exclusive authority over a defined territory (e.g., Toronto)

Question 28

upper tier

Answer 28

County or regional level municipal governments that only exist in certain provinces and oversee two or more lower-tier municipalities

durham region

Question 29

lower tier

Answer 29

Local municipalities within a tiered system
Richmond Hill

Question 30

What are unincorporated areas in Canada?

Answer 30

not under the jurisdiction of a municipality and often consist of Crown land

receive government services through alternative arrangements with the province

Question 31

residents in incorporated areas resist incorporation to avoid….

Answer 31

higher taxes

Question 32

What are special-purpose bodies in local government?

Answer 32

autonomous local governments that perform a single or limited number of functions.

Question 33

separate purpose bodies in local gov are controlled by …

Answer 33

separate governing body that is either elected or appointed