Canadian Federalism: A Reflection

• Author: Kathy L. Brock/Geoffrey Hale
• Pages: 165-174

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Canadian Federalism: A Reflection

When debating the terms of what became Canada’s  Consti-

tution, the thirty-three founders opted to blend federalism with

parliamentary government based primarily on pragmatic consider-

ations. is hybrid governing system — ultimately a recognition of

divided sovereignty under the formal unity of the Crown — was

necessary to secure the consent of the British colonies but also was

viewed as a means of ensuring that the new country, Canada, could

not be riven by the kinds of conf‌licts that had almost destroyed

the American federation. e analysis of the roots of the Canadian

system of government often stops there, particularly in the current

atmosphere of disparaging historical paradigms and constructs as

inconsistent with contemporary realities. As a result, the core ideas

that have animated Canadian history, and underpinned its suc-

cesses as a c ountry embracing diverse cultures, nations, and peoples,

languish often forgotten, or even worse, derided as outmoded or

irrelevant. ese postures undervalue the importance of the f‌irst

principles and the ingenuity involved in creating this truly innov-

ative mix of institutions that has preserved Canada in its diversity

and enabled it to meet signif‌icant challenges throughout its history,

if often after considerable trial and error. e chapters in this book

have captured many of those controversies. Now these concluding