Political Power Gravitating to Canada's Cities

Canada's constitution, drafted in the 19th century when the nation's population was mostly agrarian, places cities firmly under the control of the provincial governments. Today, Canada has transformed into a highly urbanized society with emerging city-states and the proposition that the provinces should continue to be the overseers of the cities seems antiquated and obsolete. Whatever vestigial role provinces may have as a "repository of regional or ethnic identity" is increasingly diminishing as Canadians redefine themselves as members of local communities and also as global citizens. The irony is that, while provinces have historically lobbied the federal government for decentralization of powers, they are unlikely to be advocates for further decentralization to cities, which they increasingly perceive as a direct threat. However, the reality is that it will happen anyway.

Thanks to Geoffrey Singer