Intergovernmental Relations in Canada: The Emergence of Collaborative Federalism

“Executive federalism” or “federal-provincial diplomacy” has long been considered the defining characteristic of Canadian federalism, which combines federalism and Westminster-style cabinet government. However, these processes have come under increasing stress in recent years from a number of forces that have affected the nature and conduct of federalism and intergovernmental relations in Canada. Executive federalism has not been displaced, but has been increasingly informed by a set of practices that we call “collaborative federalism,” characterized more by the principle of co-determination of broad national policies rather than by the more traditional pattern of federal-leadership.