Transparency in Canadian Housing under the Housing Partnership Framework

Canada, Decentralization, Federalism, Fiscal Federalism, Intergovernmental Relations, Political Autonomy, Provinces, Subnational Autonomy

Authors: Jennifer Wallner & Robert Breen – Housing in Canada is increasingly unaffordable. Between 2000 and 2019, the percentage increase of housing prices was approximately three times higher than the percentage increase of median nominal income (Zhu et al., 2023). Furthermore, between 2020 and 2022, housing prices rose by 30% (August 2022). While improvements are anticipated, the affordability crisis is detrimental for Canadians (CMHC, 2025a).

Federalism in the Digital Age: How Federal Structures in Germany and Canada Impact Digitalization Policy

Canada, digitalization, Education, Federalism, Germany, Health Care, Identity, Infrastructure, Provinces, Service Delivery, Subnational Autonomy, Technology

Author: Jella Ohnesorge – Digitalization policy is characterized by its dynamic development and cross-cutting qualities, as well as the fact that many countries are overwhelmed by it. During the COVID-19 pandemic it became very clear how important digital governance is and how beneficial effective digitalization policy can be for citizens and public administration alike.

Ontarians Need to See the Power of Their Own Government

Canada, Cities, Democracy, Education, Environment, Federalism, Fiscal Federalism, Health Care, Identity, Local Governance, Natural Resources, Ontario, Provinces, Service Delivery, Subnational Autonomy

Author: Jennifer Wallner – Another Ontario election has come and gone. And less than half the population noticed. In 2022, a sparse 4,701,959 people voted. With only 44.06% of eligible voters turning out, that election set the record for the lowest voter turnout ever in the province. This election, one where the province and Canada face real threats with devastating consequences from our closest ally, fared little better. Essentially, Ontarians issued a collective ‘meh’.

The Complexity of Abortion Laws: Federalism’s Impact on Women’s Reproductive Rights

Brazil, Canada, Decentralization, Federalism, Fiscal Federalism, Gender, Health Care, Identity, Service Delivery, Subnational Autonomy

Author: Shaoni Chakraborty – Abortion is a deeply complex and contentious issue that involves questions of healthcare, morality, legality, and gender rights. The regulation of abortion laws is often influenced by a country’s legal, cultural, religious and political frameworks. Federalism, which divides governmental powers between national and constituent unit governments, can have profound effects on the accessibility and implementation of abortion laws, which in federal systems can often differ significantly between levels of government.

Dalits and Decentralization: Federalism’s Impact on the Caste System

Decentralization, Democracy, Gender, Identity, India, Political Autonomy, Subnational Autonomy

Author: Shaoni Chakraborty – India’s governance system has traditionally been characterised by a specific form of federalism known as “centralised federalism.” In contrast to the classic conception of federal government, in which constituent units operate with significant autonomy with explicitly delineated independent spheres of authority, India’s system grants substantial powers to the Central government, allowing it to intervene in state affairs.

Federalism: Medicine for a Broken Lebanon?

corruption, Decentralization, Democracy, Education, Fragility, Health Care, Infrastructure, Peacebuilding, Political Autonomy, Service Delivery, Subnational Autonomy

Author: Anthony Bou-chrouche – For almost 50 years, Lebanon has been plagued with problems of civil unrest due to a lack of social cohesion that stems from religious differences among the groups that comprise its population. The country is home to 18 different religious communities, each of which possess constitutionally enshrined levels of representation in Parliament. In the legislature, generally seats are divided equally between Christian and Muslim communities (with some exceptions like that of the representation of the Druze community).

Does Government Digitalization Lead to Greater Centralization in Federations?

Australia, Brazil, Decentralization, digitalization, Federalism, Fiscal Federalism, Germany, Health Care, India, Mexico, Service Delivery, Subnational Autonomy, Switzerland

SPECIAL SERIES: Digitalization of Public Administration in Federal Countries – Author: Éric Desrochers: During the Digitalization of Public Administration in Federal Countries workshop, scholars and practitioners of government digitalization presented case studies touching on various aspects of the relationship between e-government and centralization in federal and quasi-federal countries.