Canadian Federalism

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• W. S. Livingston: “Federalism is a function not of constitutions but of societies” o Political systems perceived as superstructures devoid of autonomy and lacking independent coercive and moulding power vis-a-vis their environment • Thesis: Canadian federalism is not a function of societies, but of constitutions, more specifically the governments that work the constitution • Establishment of the federal system in 1867 led to competitive political and bureaucratic elites at two separate levels of government, federal and provincial, who possess jurisdictional, financial, administrative, and political resources for their own interests • Preservation of jurisdictional competence and territorial integrity is necessary for the survival of …show more content…

Lesage regime & Quebec) • Society has been responding more and more to the demands of government through new public policies (i.e. education, economy, welfare) o Powerful economic interests weaken constitutional competence through

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