The constitutional division of powers : an economic perspective / by Robin Boadway. : EC22-178/1992E

By Robin Boadway. This study analyses the economic rationales for the allocation of responsibilities among levels of government in a federal system. Efficiency and equity considerations are used as yardsticks for evaluating alternative allocations of powers. The study also reviews the evolution in Canada of the relative importance of federal and provincial activity in the area of taxation and spending over the last 30 years, noting the steady rise in the importance of the provinces over that time, and argues that these trends may have a significant impact on federal-provincial fiscal relations in the future, particularly in terms of the ability of the federal government to exert influence in the direction of harmonized tax and spending policies across the country. The role of federal-provincial transfers and tax collection agreements is also the subject of a thorough discussion which points out the key role these have played in equalizing the fiscal capacities of the regions and in promoting national standards and the coordination of the tax system. The paper concludes with an examination of some of the financial consequences of three different kinds of possible constitutional reform: one-way symmetric decentralization, two-way reallocation of responsibilities, and asymmetric decentralization to Quebec alone. References, tables.

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publications.gc.ca/pub?id=9.645025&sl=1

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