
The Past, Present, and Future of Canadian Cities: Where the Law Went Wrong and How We Can Fix It
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Description
In 1861, just a few years before Confederation, 84 per cent of Canadians lived in rural areas; today, it’s less than 20 per cent. Our municipal governments are asked to do more for their citizens than ever before, yet they must confront myriad challenges – from the public health pandemic to the housing crisis – without the tools they need. They have no constitutional protection from jurisdictional overstepping by provincial governments and no assurance that they will be able to complete any effort they undertake.
The Past, Present, and Future of Canadian Cities explores the historical functions of municipalities, their current ability to tackle major problems, and what the future holds for shifting legal and political powers. This volume examines how pre-Confederation cities came to have their current constitutional and legislative forms; how current local governments make decisions within existing legal parameters, highlighting Indigenous-municipal relationships and emergency management; and, finally, looks to the world to investigate future innovation in municipal governance.
The Past, Present, and Future of Canadian Cities makes the case that constitutional concepts must be repurposed to support the transition from nation-building to city-building in a global context.
[From Past, Present, and Future of Canadian Cities, The | McGill-Queen’s University Press]
ISBN
9780228022329
Publication Date
2024
Publisher
McGill-Queen's University Press
Keywords
Law, Political Science & International Studies: Public Policy: Canada, Urban Studies
Disciplines
Constitutional Law | Law