Canadian Federalism in the Context of Combating Climate Change

Abstract

Canada has a relatively decentralized federal structure, which allows the diversity of its population and geography to be taken into consideration. To address increasingly urgent environmental problems, the federal government and its supporters must set aside their centralist reflexes and encourage the provinces to continue experimenting with their own policies. Ottawa must at the same time fulfill its environmental responsibilities in its own fields of jurisdiction, for the greatest benefit to federalism and the environment.