Dawson Greene

201907847

Political Science 1000-082

Final Exam
 The division of authority in Canada depends on the province and the underlying issues.

Provincial governments have the constitutional authority to create, direct and watch over

municipal governments, which means they do have a lot of control over local governments. I run

my agriculture business on the island's west coast in the small French community of Mainland.

Over the years, I have noticed how the provincial government makes things very difficult for

small businesses and municipalities due to the lack of power. In some areas, local governments

have more authority compared to other areas. For example, municipalities can usually do land

use planning and zoning as they please. I believe the local governments should have more say

and decision-making power to the specific needs of their communities. However, the provincial

government should still ensure that everything is legitimate and consistent. Throughout my

paper, I will focus on issues related to Newfoundland, although the examples apply to other

provinces.

If provincial governments use their power to limit local voices and their opinions, it can

make politics less effective and democratic. This is because local governments usually have

fewer people to govern and are best positioned to listen, understand, and respond to their needs.

When provincial governments have power over local governments, the people's concerns are not

usually considered, which disrupts local concerns and makes everything less effective. In my

community, a current wind energy project is proposed, and the provincial government has kept

the project low until very recently. Currently, the entire Port au Port peninsula is up for bid to

wind energy corporations, and many communities and municipalities do not have much say in

the situation. One community is currently facing many problems with their water supply due to

the forest and natural waterway destructions. The provincial government is making it difficult for

the community to move its boundary to ensure the town water supply does not get any worse
than it is currently. This is one personal example of where provincial governments have too

much power over the local governments, making it difficult for locals to have their voices and

opinions heard.

In addition, provincial governments have extensive power through legislation over local

governments. In the previously mentioned example, the province has passed laws affecting the

municipalities. Allowing companies to create roads and destroy the forest near municipalities to

install MET towers to obtain data for proposed windmill development projects. Local

governments must follow the rules set by the province, and they do not have the proper power to

defend their areas and what their people want.

Lack of local autonomy is one of the several problems that make polities less effective

and less democratic. In Canada, Provincial control can limit the local government's ability to

make decisions tailored to their communities' specific needs and priorities. This can be a concern

in Newfoundland, where many towns are geographically remote and experience peculiar

economic, social, and cultural situations. Local governments are frequently better positioned to

make decisions sensitive to their communities' challenges and possibilities because they are more

in touch with local needs and priorities. Also, the possibility for innovation and experimentation

at the municipal level may be constrained by Newfoundland's lack of local sovereignty. More

autonomy for local governments allows them to try out novel ways and policies to solve local

problems and learn from their triumphs and failures. This may result in better, more time-saving

solutions that eventually help the entire province. In addition, it is crucial to recognize the value

of local decision-making authority and have a strong and functional system of government that

can meet the needs of all Canadiens.

 Newfoundland has a problem where the provincial government has too much control and

an inefficient system through crown lands. It takes at least 6 to 8 months to hear back from the

crown lands department on any land application. From my experience with them, obtaining an

agriculture lease to better my community and produce food for the province has been extremely

difficult. Once we obtained the lease, we began producing and obtaining grants from the federal

and provincial governments to expand the farm. When we returned to crown lands to expand our

lease, they put down more red tape. Even with the help of our local MHA, he could not do much

for us since the provincial government has more power Than the local governments, and they

work on their own time.

The next problem I will discuss is inflexibility, which fits perfectly with what I discussed

previously. Local governments' capacity to respond to local needs and objectives may be

constrained when provincial governments exercise strong control over them. Local governments

may be unable to pursue their priorities and projects due to provincial legislation and funding

programmes that may be rigid or disallow local influence. One-size-fits-all approaches may

come from provincial laws and regulations that fail to consider the difficulties and conditions

each local municipality faces. In addition, provincial oversight of local governments may restrict

local communities' autonomy to decide for themselves and act on matters that are significant to

them.

In Canada, provincial governments' excessive control over municipal government choices

can result in unequal treatment. First, since provincial governments have the authority to enact

laws that impact municipalities, they can establish a system in which various municipalities are

subject to various laws and regulations. Municipalities may be treated unfairly, which could hurt

some communities. For instance, a local government may find it more difficult to draw in firms
and investments if subject to stricter rules than its neighbours. Local governments' capacity to

respond to regional needs and objectives may be constrained by provincial power. Different

communities may have varying access to resources and services, leading to unequal treatment.

For instance, a remote rural area from urban centres can find it challenging to get health care,

which could lead to unequal treatment compared to urban areas.

Lastly, if financing is not allocated equitably, there is a chance that unequal treatment

may develop as local governments rely on provincial funds for many of their functions. Some

towns may be in a better position to handle local issues and goals than others if they receive

more financing than other areas. Overall, while provincial oversight of municipal governments

can have certain advantages, such as ensuring accountability and consistency, it can also lead to

issues that compromise the efficacy and democratic nature of Canadian politics.

In my first year, I read a book called Crow Gulch and it is a good example of how the

provincial government has the authority over small local governments to completely relocate a

community. When the Bay of Islands pulp and paper mill was first built, the community was

intended to serve as a settlement for Native American and mixed-race families who had been

uprooted from their ancestral grounds. The town suffered of lack of basic infrastructure and in

the 1970’s, The provincial government presented a proposal to move the population elsewhere

claiming that the neighbourhood was too remote and lacked access to essential services.

Community members fiercely opposed the plan, claiming that they had a right to stay in their

houses and that moving would further harm their social and economic stability. Despite these

protests, the relocation plan finally went forward, and many residents were compelled to relocate

to other parts of the province The case of Crow Gulch demonstrates how provincial decisions in

Newfoundland and Labrador can have a considerable impact on the autonomy and well-being of
marginalised groups. It also underscores the importance of community engagement and

consultation in decision-making processes related to municipal governance and community

development.

To avoid the problems that can arise from excessive provincial control over local

governments in Canada, there are several potential solutions including proving more resources

and support to local governments and enhancing intergovernmental cooperation. Providing more

resources to local governments can be a solution because it allows the municipalities to have

enhanced capacity to develop their town councils to implement expertise in policy making.

Another area is providing more resources can help by creating greater flexibility. Secondly,

enhancing intergovernmental cooperation can improve communication between the two levels of

government. Increasing the ease of communication between departments can help identify and

address issues effectively and help the community more effectively. Cooperation also increases

consistent collaboration, meaning the two parties can pool their resources to develop more

effective policies and achieve better outcomes.

Overall, several problems can arise from excessive provincial control over local

governments. From my experience, the provincial government can make things difficult for local

governments to make decisions in a timely matter. It is important for policymakers in Canada to

carefully consider the balance of power between provincial and local governments. By doing so,

they can help ensure that decisions are made in the best interests of local communities and that

policies and programs are implemented effectively. Ultimately, this can help strengthen

democracy and improve the overall effectiveness of political decision-making in Canada.