Introduction
The intent of this paper is to explain the equalization program and Atlantic accord. First, what is equalization, why does the program exist, and how is it calculated?
Are there problems with today’s equalization program? Next, what is the Atlantic accord and generic solution and why has it been an issue in the past six months? What were the offers the federal government gave Newfoundland and what was finally accepted by Newfoundland’s provincial government? Finally, what do the future hold? Can the Atlantic accord deal affect the equalization sustainability? What are the other equalization formula, policy options? These are the issues that this paper will try and address.
What is Equalization?
The equalization program has its roots in the Rowell–Sirois report of 1940 and in 1950 James M. Buchanan defined payments that the federal government made to “weaker” provinces as equalization payments. Canada implemented the equalization program in 1957 and has been making unconditional grants since then. Today the department of financial Canada defines equalization as a:
“Federal transfer program that allows provinces, regardless of their ability to raise revenue to provide roughly comparable levels of services at roughly comparable levels of taxation. Eligibility to receive equalization funding is determined by a formula measuring each province’s revenue – raising capacity against five – province standard.”
Note: The five provinces are British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.
Equalization is so important that it has been acknowledged within the Constitution:
“Parliament and the government of Canada are committed to the principle of making equalization payments to ensure that provincial governments have sufficient revenues to provide reasonably comparable levels of public services at reasonably comparable levels of taxation.”
However, equalization today is not the same as in 1957 due to updating and renewing (Equalization is renewed every 5 years). The Principle idea that all citizens within Canada should have the same quality of public goods no matter what the provincial government’s revenue capabilities are remains the same.
Why Equalization?
There are several reasons why Canada has adopted the equalization program. First, there are the vertical and horizontal imbalances between provinces and country. Next, Canadian provinces have a strong preference for provincial autonomy. Third, there is need for economical and political equity between provinces. Finally, equalization is needed for economic labour mobility efficiency within the feudalism.
The first step in understanding why Canada has an equalization program is to understand what is meant by vertical and horizontal imbalances.
"We have an extremely antiquated Broadcasting Act," he said. "Things get old. People get old. Legislation gets old. We 're looking for a refresh of the Broadcasting Act. It 's a reasonable request." Entwistle suggested that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission(CRTC) should displace the Canadian Television Fund with a fund created and manage by company such as TELUS. (POST, 2006)Although his suggestions drew the CRTC’s attention, the Conservative government had already set the plan to the CRTC. However, Entwistle is brave and astute to strive for the maximum benefits, not only for TELUS, but also the Canada government and the whole
Schwartz, Bryan. "Proportional Representation for Canada." Manitoba Law Journal 28.2 (2001): 133. Web. 14 Mar. 2014.
Systemic discrimination has been a part of Canada’s past. Women, racial and ethnic minorities as well as First Nations people have all faced discrimination in Canada. Policies such as, Charter of Rights and Freedoms, provincial and federal Human Rights Codes, as well has various employment equity programs have been placed in Canada’s constitution to fight and address discrimination issues. Despite these key documents placed for universal rights and freedoms Aboriginal and other minority populations in Canada continue to be discriminated against. Many believe there is no discrimination in Canada, and suggest any lack of success of these groups is a result of personal decisions and not systemic discrimination. While others feel that the legislation and equality policies have yet resulted in an equal society for all minorities. Racism is immersed in Canadian society; this is clearly shown by stories of racial profiling in law enforcement.
Frist, federalism is the division of power between the provinces and the federal government (Cutler 2010, 3). As well, Federal systems tend to be made up of multiple parts, which do not necessarily work together (Brock 2008, 3). There has been an increase on the study of federalism in recent years, which has created a more in-depth look at how federalism impacts the government. (Farfard Rocher 2009, 294). There are two aspects of federalism and both of them put limitations on the influence of the prime minister. The first is called political asymmetry; this encompasses the various attitudes of the different provinces such as the culture, economic, social and political conditions and how it shapes the relationship between the provincial and federal governments (Brock 2008, 4). This can create a problem for the federal government because it means that they may ha...
Native Americans have faced increasing encroachment by European and Euro-American settlers since the discovery of the Americas by Europeans in 1492. Beginning with the Caribs, mistakenly labeled as Indians by Christopher Columbus, continuing with the ‘Indian Wars’ waged by the U.S. government against such tribes as the Lakota and Apache, and lasting until today, native peoples have had to adjust and adapt constantly to survive. Native peoples have had to use and balance their ‘historical agency,’ or the ability of a people to affect the world around them throughout history, against the ‘structural forces’ set up by outsiders and foreign governments, which seek to limit their impact on the world. Both Andrew Fisher and Jeffrey Ostler have written about native groups, the Columbia River Indians and the Lakota, respectively, which have balanced historical agency against external structural forces over time. According to Fisher and Ostler, both the Lakota and the Columbia River Indians have used legal and illegal means to promote their historical agency. Both have a central cultural issue at the heart of their struggle against external structural forces. Ultimately, however, both groups have used the struggle between their historical agency and external structural forces to forge an identity that allowed them to adapt and survive into the twenty-first century.
Every year, over 250,000 people make Canada their new home. Attracted by its education system, economy and universal healthcare system, there are few other places in the world like it. All Canadians are guaranteed equality before the law and equality of opportunity, regardless of where they are from. However, some might argue that Canadian policy has not been put into practice as well as it should be. Is the concept of true equality a far-fetched idea? It seems that Canada has taken great measures to promote the integration of immigrants socially, but can the same be said for their integration economically? Politically? To judge whether or not Canada has been successful at promoting the integration of immigrants in these realms, a deeper understanding of Canadian policy must be considered.
When a young man has to take over his family because his father walk away, all he needs is the support. Encouragement is the key to take over this difficult task. He eventually will learn how to deal with it and use that as an inspiration to keep moving forward. Amanda: I’ve had to put up a solitary battle all these years. But you’re my right hand bower! Don’t fall down, don’t fall! (Williams 939). These are the right words that will motivate anyone. This reminds me of my mom; when she told me that my dad was laid off from his job, six years ago. It was on winter time, when agriculture slows down, my mom at home with no job and my dad too. I was the only one working, with a low income check of six hundred every two weeks. There was stress all over the house. My dad use to get up at five am, and wouldn’t come home until six or seven pm, just looking for a job. There was days that I wouldn’t even see them just because I was working a lot of over time. It was a really difficult time for all of us but I remember the most important of all, we were together. One day my mother woke me up, she was sitting on my bed, she told me that she was so thankful for having a daughter like me, and that she really appreciated my help, that it was not my responsibility but I was taking care of like if it was mine. Due to the age of my dad, it was difficult for him to find a job, which was heart breaking for me. My mom and my dad were the motivation that I needed
Secondly, on the equality side immigration has impacted a bit of Canada. Everyone is treated the same. Each person has the same equal amount of rights, freedom, and privileges. Any individual is always welcome to even the smallest things like the gurdwara,
The Senate has various responsibilities to fulfill when discussing regional issues. Whenever a specific bill is being studied, committees are expected to invite provinces and territories to make a presentation (Pouliot, 2015). To further explain this, whenever Senators examine bills and issues, they must consider the affect the bill or issue will have on the province or territory that they are representing. After they gather all the evidence and findings, they then get together as a committee to discuss whether the bill or issue would be effective or not. There was a case in October 2001, where the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance started a researched that examined the effectiveness of, and if improvements were possible to, the equalization policy that is used today (). In March 2002, the Committee stated that recognizing the importance of Equalization programs is important. The Equalization program was designed to help provincial governments to provide Canadians with comparable levels of provincial services at comparable levels of taxation (Parliament of Canada, 2015). The Committee concluded that this program would help the essential public services across the country in a positive
Native American society has undergone many transformations. The People were once strong enough to withstand nature and her elements but could not avoid becoming collateral damage as the White Man went forward in his quest for Manifest Destiny. Instead they became slaves to that which was deemed socially appropriate by their conquerors, were removed from their homeland only to be placed in unfamiliar territory, and for centuries have grappled with changing identities. This ambivalence has been passed down from generation to generation.
...out. The government will assist in times of economic hardship, shortfalls and other circumstances. The CEIFB establishes the premium setting and has a goal to ensure that the program generates enough revenue to cover administration, future projects, and expenditures. Critics argue that funding does not adequately assist Canadians in times of economic destitution. In the past, the federal government had been condemned for allowing surpluses to reach into the billions. Premium rates should have been lowered or benefits increased, to take advantage of surpluses. The issue of funding and benefits within the EI policy are subjected to ongoing debate and will be discussed further in the reform section of this paper.
...limited to its application to public policy. Health care system in Canada is funded publicly. The system is guided and advanced by laws and regulations advanced by the Canada health act. These models are applicable in the health care system presented in the Canadian setting. In conclusion, in Canada the state is responsible for rendering most health services.
In addition to that, female students are not physically averting their peers eyes towards their bodies. A young girl cannot be held responsible for her peers choosing to be distracted by her clothing choices (Levin). It is each individual student’s responsibility to focus on their school work while in a learning environment (Levin). Girls should not be shamed by schools into covering their bodies, rather, their fellow students should be shamed for not controlling themselves. Sexism in dress codes transfers blame onto female students for sexual discrimination and distraction in the classroom instead of holding individuals of both genders responsible for their education (Dockterman). The choice of a student to deflect their focus from learning to another students dress is solely up to them (Levin).
To conclude, in the present Canadians are seeing change in PSE funding policies begin to come from the provinces. Due to the fact that “when Ottawa went against the grain and launched the Millennium Scholarship programs, provincial feathers, especially Quebec’s, were immediately ruffled,” provinces such as Quebec and British Columbia, among others, were motivated to “set up their own research funding agencies with the view to [maximize] the likelihood of obtaining funds from Ottawa,” (Bakvis 216). As for the legitimacy of cooperative federalism in Canada today, it seems as though executive federalism itself is turning largely paternalistic – at least in the sense of PSE. More often than not, in PSE funding, the federal government has taken the initiative while “one set of executives – those from provincial governments – was largely absent,” (Bakvis 218).