Les balises étatiques de la religion au Canada

Abstract

This systematic study of relations between religion and politics in Canada examines the growing role of State processes in the activities of religious groups. This study is divided into two parts. The first part, which deals with historical aspects, shows how the growth of the Canadian State and of the provinces imposed limits on religious activity and led to the consolidation of the establishment of the three main Christian Churches, closely associated but subordinated to the State. Between 1960 and 1991, the spectacular growth of the provincial and federal State apparatuses led to the decline of the majority historical religions. Their loss of influence, demographic stagnation and lack of resources have combined with growing state regulation and dispossession of sectors that the State had traditionally abandoned to the Churches. According to the authors, this constant and growing extension of State control better explains the loss of influence of Churches than secularization.