Lesson 4 — Activity 2: Responsibilities of Provincial Governments
Completion requirements
Lesson 4 — Activity 2:
Responsibilities of Provincial Governments
Warm Up
In the previous lesson, you learned that because Canada is such a huge country, to govern all parts of it with just one central government would be difficult. So how are the areas of responsibility divided between the federal and provincial governments? Some areas are the responsibility of just one of the governments, but others are shared by both.
Generally, the
federal government is in charge of areas that affect all of Canada.
National defence, citizenship and immigration, international trade, and
international relations are some things that are the responsibility of
only the federal government. This is because they are areas where
Canada must present a national position to the world.
@creativecommons
Generally, the federal government is in charge of areas that affect all of Canada. National defence, citizenship and immigration, international trade, and international relations are some things that are the responsibility of only the federal government. This is because they are areas where Canada must present a national position to the world.
@creativecommons
@creativecommonsAnother area
for which the federal government is responsible is anything that
involves the welfare of all Canadians and must be the same for all.
These include Aboriginal Affairs, employment and pension plans, money
and banking, the postal service, criminal law, census, and
transportation, as well as anything to do with the oceans.
@creativecommons
Another area for which the federal government is responsible is anything that involves the welfare of all Canadians and must be the same for all. These include Aboriginal Affairs, employment and pension plans, money and banking, the postal service, criminal law, census, and transportation, as well as anything to do with the oceans.
For some responsibilities, both the federal and provincial
governments have roles. This may be because some of the financing for a
provincial program such as health care may come from the federal
government. The environment is another area that both governments must
address. Emissions from the industrial heartland of Canada in southern
Ontario have the potential to impact the Maritimes. Because more than
one province is affected, the federal government needs to be involved.
@unsplash
For some responsibilities, both the federal and provincial governments have roles. This may be because some of the financing for a provincial program such as health care may come from the federal government. The environment is another area that both governments must address. Emissions from the industrial heartland of Canada in southern Ontario have the potential to impact the Maritimes. Because more than one province is affected, the federal government needs to be involved.
@unsplash
@unsplash
So, what areas do the provincial governments control? A provincial government has control over the issues that affect people's daily lives. These include property and civil rights, natural resources, education, and social services.
Other areas fall under provincial control, but the provinces must follow federal guidelines. Health care is a specific example of this. Canada supports universal health care, which means that everyone should receive the same health care services. If a province tries to change these rules, then the federal government may withhold funds. All provinces have their own judicial systems, but they enforce Canada's laws as well as provincial laws.
@gettyimages
A very important part of government is taxation. Just as your family needs money to function, so do our governments. Provincial governments collect taxes from the paycheques of their workers, but the federal government collects and controls most of the revenues from taxes. In addition to this form of taxation, the federal government collects the money from the GST (goods and services tax). All provinces except Alberta have a PST (provincial sales tax). In some provinces, these are combined into an HST (harmonized sales tax). Another large source of revenue for provincial governments is taxes on cigarettes, alcohol, fuel, and gambling (in some provinces).
Operating a nation as large and diverse as Canada requires a lot of cooperation among all the parties involved. It requires give and take on the part of each level of government and among the provinces as well.Self-check!
Try This!
Try the true/false questions below on your own first, and then click on the tab to check your answers! You can look back in the lesson to find the answers.
- The federal government is responsible for citizenship and immigration.
- The provincial government is responsible for Aboriginal Affairs.
- The provincial government is responsible for health care.
- The provincial government is responsible for education.