Constitutional Impasse Over Oil And Gas: Is Further Decentralization Compatible With Nationhood

Abstract

Canada’s federal and provincial governments are in conflict over the control of energy resources. The author advocates, in the interest of Canadian unity, a strong federal presence in the development of oil and gas supplies and a larger federal share of the revenues produced. To strike a balance between federal and provincial control he suggests a measure of provincial ownership of offshore resources and a greater role for the provinces in federal decision-making.