Changes in the nature of Canadian Federalism

There have also been several constitutional amendments that have had significant consequences for Canada’s federal system. Over the years there has been a shift towards giving greater powers to the states.

For example, the Constitution Act, 1930, transferred ownership of natural resources in Western Canada from the federal government to the Western provinces. Another significant amendment was the Constitution Act, 1982, which committed the federal government and provinces to ensuring some level of economic and social equality between Canadian regions. This, in turn, has led to the development of the Equalization Program and the sharing of public funds between governments.