Has the happy little boat of Canada sprung a leak?

[Agathon]

hmm I see some problems with federalism but frankly I fear in a more centralized system the interests of a less populated region will be forgotten if not ignored. This is a greater problem in a bigger country where people are not as aware of the concerns of people that live thousands of miles from them.

Even in non federal states, there is often problems between the central government and municipalities as they try to approtion responsibilities and revenues. Not everything can and should be done at a single central level.

Still doesn't require Federalism to solve that problem.

No one has managed to even come close to rebutting my argument.

[JimmyCracksCorn]

Originally posted by Agathon


Still doesn't require Federalism to solve that problem.

No one has managed to even come close to rebutting my argument.

In such a centralized country like Canada, you're insane if you think Ottawa will ever give up any powers.

But wait, I might have misunderstood you. Are you suggesting confederalism with stronger Provincial powers?

[St Leo]

Originally posted by notyoueither
It might be all fine and dandy to propose such schemes in New Zealand, where the entire country fits into Nova Scotia with some to spare, but it is another to put it into practice in a nation like Canada where the land is vast and changing, and the people who inhabit the land take on nearly as many characters as the land itself.

Land Areas (km^2)

17 075 400 - Russia
9 984 670 - Canada
9 631 418 - United States
9 596 960 - China
8 456 510 - Brazil
7 617 930 - Australia
3 287 590 - India

2 093 190 - Nunavut
1 593 438 - Alaska
1 346 106 - Northwest Territories
1 542 056 - Quebec
1 076 395 - Ontario
944 735 - British Columbia
678 054 - Texas
661 848 - Alberta
647 797 - Manitoba
651 036 - Saskatchewan
545 630 - France
482 443 - Yukon
405 212 - Newfoundland & Labrador
403 934 - California
377 837 - Japan
357 021 - Germany
268 000 - New Zealand
241 600 - United Kingdom
128 897 - New York
72 908 - New Brunswick
68 890 - Ireland
55 284 - Nova Scotia
27 337 - Massachusets
5 660 - Prince Edward Island
2 706 - Rhode Island

Actually, New York State, Nova Scotia, and Ireland combined would fit in New Zealand with room to spare.

On the other hand, Texas, New Zealand, and Nova Scotia combined would fit in Ontario with room to spare.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Agathon


Still doesn't require Federalism to solve that problem.

No one has managed to even come close to rebutting my argument.

I don't think anyone is taking you seriously when you suggest that centralising power would be more efficient in the Canadian context.

That may be partly due to the massive waste that is standard operating procedure in Ottawa.

Those clowns can't be trusted with the lives of our servicemen and women, but you want to let them decide how to spend all the health and education dollars?

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by St Leo
Actually, New York State, Nova Scotia, and Ireland combined would fit in New Zealand with room to spare.

On the other hand, Texas, New Zealand, and Nova Scotia combined would fit in Ontario with room to spare.

Damn. I could have picked the Yukon, but noooo, I had to go with Nova Scotia.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Are you people still arguing over how Federalism is the most superior form of governance?

Federalism

[notyoueither]

Of course we are. Only thing we like better than hockey is arguing about federalism.

[Max Webster]

Originally posted by notyoueither
and education dollars?

We used to have a conservative goverment sitting far away in Toronto. Who didn't have a clue about the particular issues in my area when it comes to needs of our education system. The decisions they made didn't suit the needs of our school board at all. This time around things are bit better with a liberal goverment.

[notyoueither]

It isn't a Liberal or Conservative ailment. It is the Ottawa disease.

[Max Webster]

I wasn't implying that. I was meaning a goverment far away not in touch with my areas needs.