Devolution in Canada

Imagine you live your life speaking French. You watch French TV shows, your radio plays French music, and your classes are in French. Where do you think you are? Surprise, you are not in France. You are in Canada. The province of Quebec, to be more exact. How can that be? Isn't Canada English-speaking? Much of it is, but because of devolution in Canada, many people are able to function pretty much only in other languages.

Examples of Devolution in Canada

Devolution is a form of decentralization in federal states.

Canada has numerous examples of devolution within its asymmetric federal system. In Canada, devolution has granted Quebec more autonomy in comparison to other provinces. Canada's three territories' Indigenous populations have also been given increased autonomy since the mid-2000s. No matter where in Canada, devolution has involved the transfer of responsibilities from the federal government to the territorial or provincial governments.

Fig. 1 - Federal map of Canada featuring Canada's 10 provinces and three territories. The three territories are Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. These territories have a different status than the provinces

Canada is an asymmetric Federal State. It has 10 provinces and three territories. Not all provinces have the same authorities, and territories also differ from provinces in terms of their autonomy.

The difference between the provinces and territories is that territories, unlike provinces, do not have sovereignty, but instead only have powers that have been delegated by the federal government. Only the federal parliament can amend the constitutions of the territories. This is a result of Canada's Constitution Act of 1867.

Meanwhile, provinces have been granted more autonomy than territories, as dictated in the Constitution.

Devolution in Quebec

The status of Quebec within Canada is controversial. In the rest of the country, English is the dominant language. However, in Quebec, the dominant language is French. Known as Québécois, the French Canadians differentiate themselves from the rest of the Canadians.

The complicated history of Quebec began when France and the UK fought for territory. Britain gained control of French Canada after winning the Seven Years' War in 1763.

Due to this unique linguistic and cultural identity, there have been secessionist movements within Quebec. Quebec's leaders were inspired by the European Community, the predecessor to the European Union, which saw the integration of different states under a supranational political organization. They sought to make Quebec an independent, sovereign state in free association with Canada through a common currency and economy.

Quebec's nationalists believe a sovereign Quebec state would be able to protect Quebec's unique identity and culture better than now when there is constant pressure for assimilation with the rest of Canada.

Fig. 2 - The map of Quebec superimposed on a Quebec flag. This Quebec flag is an important symbol of the French Canadians and their nationalism

The Quiet Revolution

The Quiet Revolution in Quebec happened during the 1960s and resulted in the province gaining a more powerful position within the federal system. As a result, the Québécois have the power to administer their economy, social services, and pension plan as well as employment and immigration laws. On the federal level, three of the nine justices of the Canadian Supreme Court must come from Quebec. Thus, Quebec has provincial rights that other provinces within the federal territory do not possess.

Fig. 3 - A political sign advocating for the "yes" vote in the Quebec independence referendum

Referendum

The fight for independence has long been a dilemma. 1970's October Crisis even saw Québécois terrorists violently fight for independence.

Quebec has had two unsuccessful referendums for independence. In 1995 , 49.42% of Québécois voted for independence and 50.58% voted against it. Most who wanted independence were French speakers.

Fig. 4 - Results of the Quebec Independence Referendum of 1995. By a slim margin, the province voted to remain in Canada

The Other Provinces

The nine other provinces don't support Quebec's proclivity toward secession.

In 1997, the leaders of Canada's provinces and territories, except for Quebec's leader, met in Calgary to discuss how to handle future constitutional amendments. By this, they meant how to handle Quebec's independence movement. Their agreement, known as the Calgary Declaration, sought to make Canada a symmetric Federal State where all the provinces were devolved equal powers.

In 1999, Canada's prime minister, Jean Chrétien, passed the Clarity Act which defined the process for a province to leave the country. Because it requires approval from the House of Commons, it made independence for Quebec much harder than just a province-wide referendum. There has not been a referendum in Quebec since.

Differences Between Politics in Quebec and the Other Provinces

1. Quebec's political party system is quite distinct from the political party system in the rest of Canada's provinces. Only two out of the five political parties in Quebec exist on the national level, and the Quebec versions are quite distinct.

2. Politics in Quebec is fought over a different set of issues than in the rest of Canada.

3. Quebec's politics are dramatic because they are seen in a grand, civilizational way, unlike other provinces. Quebec seeks to define a fundamental cultural distinction between French Canadians and other Canadians.

Devolution in Canada and Indigenous People

Canada's territories are Yukon, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories. Located in northernmost North America, they account for 40% of the area of Canada. However, while the territories are vast, they have tiny populations.

They are home to First Nations communities whose ancestors have been living in the region for millennia, far longer than people of Old World origin have been living in Canada. Of special importance for Indigenous communities is the ability to manage the affairs of their land and natural resources because Indigenous culture, history, and livelihood are tied to the natural world.

In the past two decades, many government responsibilities that used to be under the federal government's jurisdiction have been transferred to regional territory governments.

It is important to note that First Nations exist outside the territories as well. For instance, Quebec is also home to Indigenous communities. However, they constitute just 1% of the population of Quebec. First Nations have been discriminated against in Quebec, such as by the law that dictates French must be the primary language used in the province.

Yukon

The Yukon territory was the first territory to manage its own land and resources. The devolution process here involves Indigenous governments operating alongside the territorial government. The territorial government serves non-Indigenous citizens. Meanwhile, the Indigenous First Nations governments are responsible for the resource and environmental management of their land. Both governments offer social services such as education and health.

Fig. 5 - A federal official from Ottawa visits with First Nation Chiefs in Yukon. In First Nations, "Chief" is a formal designation of leadership

Nunavut

The population of Nunavut is 85% Inuit. While the land has been under the control of Canada's federal government since 1870, Nunavut territory was only established in 1999 after a referendum.

Northwest Territories

In 2014, the Northwest Territories also gained control over their land and resource management.

For a long time, the territories and their Indigenous communities had no control over their land, which was pillaged and sold to profit Canadian mining companies. Once the territories gained the right to manage their own land and resources, the Indigenous population got access to these royalties. Resources that come from the Northern Territories include rare minerals, diamonds, and oil.

Currently, oil sands are mined in the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. However, it is believed that the Northwest Territories have a huge reserve of untapped gas resources. There are environmental debates about the significant pollution created by this industry. Yet, if excavation is to happen now, the territories and Indigenous populations will be able to benefit from it.

Fig. 7 - Oil sand fields in Alberta. This is a major economic activity in Canada

Reason for Devolution in Canada

It is clear that there is a reason Canada has embraced devolution for its French Canadian and Indigenous populations. Devolution releases pressure from the federal government, as it is hard to maintain a unified state that spans an entire continent. Additionally, there is a local desire for increased autonomy.

Through devolution, territories gain autonomy over:

• education

• airports

• social services

• housing

• health

If devolution had not occurred, Quebec would almost certainly have left Canada. Yet, Quebec has benefited from devolution.

Purpose of Devolution in Canada

Quebec has been able to become wealthier, more educated, and more peaceful. The Indigenous communities of Canada's territories have also gained control over their own affairs and land.

Devolution provides greater accountability and local decision making. Additionally, the devolution process has weakened federal control over territories and instead allowed legislative assemblies and councils to manage affairs.