“I’m an Albertan First!”
Tales of Provincial-Federal Relations
11:00 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009
Corley Auditorium in Webster Hall
Admission: free

The story of provincial-federal relations in Canada is one of conflict, cooperation, challenge, and passion. There exist at least three perspectives on Canadian federalism: the “two founding nations” theory, the “eleven equal governments” approach, and the “national versus subnational powers and responsibilities” view. This presentation explores these three approaches, examines the historical evolution of Canadian federalism, and compares the structures and meanings of Canada’s provincial-federal relations with state-national relations in the United States. The purpose of this analysis is to spark questions about the future of Canada’s 10 provinces, three territories, and federal government in Ottawa and the relationship that binds them.

Dr. Elizabeth Paddock graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor of arts degree in Modern Languages (French) and the University of Kansas with a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in political science, notably comparative politics and American politics. Her dissertation addressed political culture and ethnolinguistic challenges in Canada, Belgium, France, and the United States. Dr. Paddock lives in Springfield, Mo., where she has taught political science for more than 20 years at Drury University. She has lived in France, and travels extensively in Canada and the United States. She currently is chair of the Department of History, Political Science, and Geography, and is working on a manuscript that examines political culture and the evolution and challenges of women’s political engagement in Canada and the United States.