The Fathers of Confederation chose a system of government that allows each province and
territory to develop in accordance with its own characteristics and priorities while
enjoying the benefits of being part of Canada.
The Constitution is the foundation of the Canadian federation. The federal system is
based on flexible mechanisms that make it possible to make changes and adjustments
without the need to amend this fundamental law.
Since the 1960s, a series of agreements between the Canadian and Quebec governments has
enabled the province of Quebec to broaden its field of activity to areas traditionally
occupied by the Government of Canada.
Since 1971, the Canadian and Quebec governments have negotiated four
administrative agreements on immigration that enable Quebec to select and
integrate its immigrants. Similar agreements were subsequently concluded with
regard to economic development and international agreements. It was possible to
achieve these agreements without amending the Constitution.
Other examples of administrative arrangements and agreements include:
an agreement between the Government of Canada and the governments of two
provinces - Quebec and New Brunswick - granted these governments the status of
participating governments within La Francophonie;
non-participation agreements allowed provincial governments to opt out of a
number of federal-provincial programs and to assume the administrative and
financial powers associated with these programs, while receiving equitable
financial compensation from the Canadian government. A good example of this type
of agreement is the Canada Pension Plan/Quebec Pension Plan;
in July 1994, the provinces and the Canadian government ratified a key agreement
on interprovincial trade which reduces the barriers to trade between the
provinces. The purpose of this agreement was to promote economic growth and job
creation. Since then, the provinces and the Canadian government have been working
together to improve the agreement which underlies our economic union;
an agreement was also concluded between the Canadian government and the provinces
- with the exception of Quebec - to enable residents of these provinces to file
just one tax return, at the federal level. The Canadian government then turns
over to each province the amounts collected on its behalf.
Canada is a flexible and dynamic federation capable of adjusting and evolving to meet
the changing needs of all its members.
