THE MEANING OF PROVINCIAL AUTONOMY

Abstract

Attempting to clarify opposing views of federalism — by those who propose provincial autonomy versus those in favour of complete political unity — the author outlines the operation and development of these conceptions. He argues for a flexible test of constitutional validity rather than a rigidly devised method of interpretation, and insists that the Privy Council and Supreme Court of Canada have indeed recognized the implicit fluidity of the constitution by defining the various powers according to degree and not as absolutes.