POL214Y5 Chapter Notes - Chapter 18: Constitution Act, 1982, Constitutional Basis Of Taxation In Australia, Enumerated Powers
Document Summary
The provinces are autonomous within the powers given them by the constitution, but the territories are constitutionally subordinate to the federal govt. Federalism can be defined as a division of powers b/w central & regional govts such that neither is subordinate to the other. Provinces are coordinate or equal in status to the central govt. This equality of status is provided for in the constitutional division of powers between the 2 levels of govt, which is found primarily in sections 91 & 92 of the constitution act, 1867. The institution of federalism are embedded in a very diverse federal society that supports such a 2- tier structure of govt. When the provinces are all treated alike by the constitution and by the federal govt, the system is called symmetrical federalism , and when they are singled out for distinctive treatment, the term asymmetrical federalism is used.
