Executive federalism

Executive federalism is "the processes of intergovernmental negotiation that are dominated by the executives of the different governments within the federal system."^[1] Alternatively, Donald Smiley defined Executive federalism as “the relation between elected and appointed officials of the two orders of government.” ^[2]

Canada

In Canada, the most publicized aspect of Executive federalism is the First Ministers Conference; however, in recent years the Council of the Federation has become the important bi-annual meeting between the Premiers of Canada.^[3] Notable efforts at the Council of the Federation include Premier Mike Harris' attempt to promote the idea that the provinces should take primary responsibility to set the national standards in social policy ^[4] and Alberta's Premier Ralph Klein calling on other premiers to join him in opposing Ottawa's signing of the Kyoto protocol^[5]

References

1. Ronald L. Watts, Executive Federalism: A Comparative Analysis (Kingston, Ont.: Institute of Intergovernmental Relations, Queen's University, 1989), 3.
2. Wells, Paul (November 2008). "Harper and the death (for now) of executive federalism". Macleans. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
3. Herman Bakivs; Gerald Baier; Douglas Brown (2009). Contested Federalism: Certainty and Ambiguity in the Canadian Federation.
4. Herman Bakvis; Gerald Baier; Douglas Brown (2009). Contested Federalism: Certainty and Ambiguity in the Canadian Federation. Oxford University Press. p. 109.
5. McCarthy, Shawn (August 3, 2002). "Premiers Derail Klein Plan: Nunavut Leader Warns Colleagues of Lasting Damage from Climate Change". Globe and Mail.