CANADA: PROVINCES RULE

----------------------- Page 1----------------------- CANADA: PROVINCES RULE Robert Young The story of municipal government within the Canadian federation is largely one of success. Stable local governments administer a wide range of services and provide public goods, within a framework of democratic accountability. Canada has a long tradition of local control of municipal governments, and these generally function adequately and efficiently. But there are always strains in the system, and those currently manifest have produced the most lively debate in decades. Despite pressures and some evolution, though, the essence of the system remains unaltered: the provincial governments control municipalities and what they do. It is inaccurate to speak of “the system” of municipal government....

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