At The Tyee, David Climenhaga expresses astonishment at Premier Danielle Smith's bizarre understanding of constitutional history
Ms. Smith said, “Canada is very different from the United States and many other Western democracies. For example, the U.S. centralizes the majority of power and decision-making in its federal government. In Canada, we chose a decentralized federation composed of very unique and diverse provinces left to govern themselves in almost all matters with the main exceptions of national defence and international affairs.”
This is the polar opposite of the facts. She either missed the lecture on the Constitution during her years at the University of Calgary or someone was guilty of educational malpractice!
For sure it's hard to look at the constitution and conclude that the federal government's role is limited to defence and foreign affairs. But section 92 did indeed provide the provinces with a broad array of powers, and Ontario Premier Oliver Mowat soon established that the provinces were indeed sovereign in all those matters allocated to them.
A sovereign Alberta within a united Canada -- Ms Smith's professed desire -- has been on hand since 1905, or at least from the 1930s. She's the one who wants to move in on a vast array of powers always held by the federal government.
Despite all the efforts of John A Macdonald, Canada did indeed began -- and continues -- as a notably decentralized federation, with education, health care, housing, and yes, natural resources confirmed to lie within the powers of the provinces. If only they were more willing to use the powers they have wisely, and not blame Ottawa for all their failings.
