Fiscal Federalism And Equalization Policy In Canada

"Fiscal Federalism and Equalization Policy in Canada is a concise book that aims to increase public understanding of equalization and fiscal federalism by providing a comparative and multidisciplinary perspective on the history, politics, and economics of equalization policy in Canada. The authors provide a brief history of the equalization program, a discussion of key economic debates concerning the role of that program and its effects, an analysis of the politics of equalization as witnessed over the last decade, and an exploration of the relationship between equalization and other components of fiscal federalism, particularly the Canada Health Transfer and the Canada Social Transfer. The result is an analysis of equalization that draws from the best scholarship available in the fields of economics, economic history, political science, public policy, and political sociology."--

The fiscal equalization program is one of the cornerstones of Canadian fiscal federalism. The proceedings of a conference held in May 1997, this collection of papers and commentaries focuses on a range of issues and implications surrounding the evolution, structure, and reform of the equalization program. Papers include a survey of the principles against which the equalization program ought to be evaluated, an assessment of the functioning of the program as presently structured, a consideration of the political climate within which the commitment to fiscal equalization will find its definition, a response to the proposition that there is too much equalization in Canada through an examination of the degree of interprovincial revenue redistribution resulting from the program, and a comparison with the German, Australian, and United States federations in search of lessons for Canada. Contributors include Robin Boadway (Queen's), Doug Clark (formerly of the Department of Finance), David Milne (UPEI), Paul Hobson (Acadia), and Sam Wilson (Alberta). Commentaries are provided by Tom Courchene (Queen's), François Vaillancourt (Montréal), and Wade Locke (Memorial).

Canada: State of the Federation, 1999–2000 identifies and explains major threads in Canadian fiscal federalism. Set against the cacophony over domineering and arrogant centralization from supporters of Quebec sovereignty/session on the one hand, and fears that excessive decentralization is fuelling an obsessively neo-liberal agenda on the other, these essays replace much of this heat with new light. The authors begin with an examination of recent developments in the theoretical literature surrounding fiscal federalism. They then examine some of the major issues facing the federation – Is there a vertical imbalance between federal and provincial governments? Does Ottawa collect more revenues than are needed relative to its spending responsibilities while the provinces are under-funded? How do federal-provincial struggles over money and jurisdictional power affect local government or the para-public sector, emerging aboriginal governments, and citizens? Federal government actions in 1999 suggest that Ottawa has not lost all of its interest in social outcomes. It is, however, seeking to influence the well-being of citizens by transferring money to them directly rather than through transfers to provinces. The authors suggest that if this trend continues the approach to the millennium will be seen as a watershed in public policy, given that current trends in Canadian fiscal federalism are as much about re-balancing the federation as they are about decentralization.

The study includes a useful historical perspective on Canadian fiscal federalism and a program-by-program review of the system's key features. Drawing on this analysis, the authors present innovative proposals for reform of EPF and the CAP.

Featuring insights from some of the top specialists in the country, Fiscal Federalism in Canada unpacks numerous complexities of fiscal federalism in Canada. The book features key regional and provincial perspectives, while taking into account Indigenous realities, the three territories, and municipal affairs. The contributing authors go beyond the major federal transfers to examine the financing of education, cities, infrastructure, and housing. This volume shows that fiscal federalism is much more than simply an aggregate of individual programs and transfers. It highlights the role of actors other than the federal and provincial governments and recalls the importance of territoriality. The book pays close attention to the political dimension of fiscal federalism in Canada, which is at the heart of how the federation functions and is essential to its governance. Fiscal federalism is central to the funding of critical programs through intergovernmental transfers, but it is also the focus of political debates on territorial redistribution. In tackling essential questions, Fiscal Federalism in Canada contributes to the so-called second-generation fiscal federalism literature, taking stock of the critical sociological and political issues at its core.

Study on fiscal relations in Canada by various authors. Including: "Federal-provincial transfers in Canada: a critical review of the existing arrangements" by Robin Boadway; "Equitable fiscal federalism: the problems in respect of resources revenue sharing" by Peter A. Cumming; "The harmonization of social policy" by Claude E. Forget and "Taxation policy and the Canadian Economic Union" by Anthony F. Sheppard.

"The Task Force held public hearings in Ottawa and in each of the provincial and territorial capitals. An attempt was made to hear representatives of as many associations and institutions as possible within the short time available. ..."--Page iii