Autonomy versus Authority: Approaches to Canadian Municipal Reform

Abstract

Since Confederation in 1867, Canada has become a highly urbanized nation. In fact, just over half a century later, Canada was classified as an urban nation (Tindal and Tindal, 2009, 65). Since the early part of the twentieth century, Canada has continued to become increasingly urbanized. This has had, and will continue to have, profound implications on how government is structured and how it represents its citizens. This paper argues that governments must address the interests of urban populations and governments in cooperative forums as opposed to strictly formal institutional means. Beginning with the importance of municipalities in the Canadian context, this paper will outline why the municipal question, regarding what level of autonomy municipalities and local governments should be granted, cannot be ignored. This paper will then go on to explain the different historical approaches to municipal reform at the federal level as a reaction to the increasing urbanization of Canadian society. Giving weight to both municipal autonomy and municipal authority arguments, this paper will express the importance of addressing municipal concerns, and that the best way to go about doing so is through pragmatic cooperation.[...]