I don’t know of anyone who argued that criminal law should be a provincial matter. The founders had the example of the U.S. where criminal law is a state matter. But I do not know of anyone who argues for it in Canada. Good question. This is something that Peter Russell might be able to tell you more about. (I haven’t read everything!)

I presume that Cartier argued for health as a provincial matter because hospitals in Quebec were run by the Church, or by orders of nuns. It was no doubt seen as as aspect of the Catholic culture of Quebec. Another good question.

The Parliament of Canada was to get only matters that affected each and every person in the federation equally. I guess you could say that’s why the criminal law fell to the national level. We are all interested in law and order, the public safety, and I think you could say that we all have an interest in upholding the idea that the accused is innocent until proven guilty.

J.A.

Do you know where I can locate some resources that trace the debates surrounding the provisions that were to be included in federal and provincial areas of jurisdiction? In other words, why did the founders choose to make health care a provincial as opposed to a federal area of jurisdiction? Were there some founders that argued that criminal law should be a provincial matter?

I’ve read your book on Canada’s Founding Debates and found it very helpful. I’m just hoping to add some missing pieces to the “founding puzzle.”

Best wishes,
Kalen

I recently got a copy of your book ‘Canada’s Founding Debates’. I think it is is awesome what you are doing to re publish the original confederation debates. I am from Calgary, but I am pursuing a degree in Liberal Arts at Thomas Aquinas College, California along with a number of other fellow Canadians. We recently formed a new organization called the Canadian Expatriate Society here on campus to help our fellow Canadians in the college community keep up to date and involve in Canadian affairs and to promote academic and career opportunities in Canada.

As part of our liberal arts program we study the American founding documents and debates. This prompted us to come up with an extra-curricular seminar on Canada’s political founding in the process of confederation. Two of the professors here are Canadians by birth and are both interested in leading such a seminar. We have therefore begun research into what to use as material. Your book has been very helpful in our search. After reading your bibliography we thought that the ‘Documents on the Confederation of British North America’ by G.P. Browne would be ideal for a seminar. We are hoping that it will be republished in time to get copies of it soon. Do you know if there is some way I can be notified as soon as it comes out? All the best,

Sincerely,
Jeremy Fraser
President, Canadian Expatriate Society, Thomas Aquinas College, California

Condolences to the family and friends of Douglas Campbell, one of Stratford’s greats. Of course, I knew of Campbell as Inspector Alistair Cameron from CBC’s ‘The Great Detective’ — A fine actor whose dramatic heft allowed audiences to appreciate one facet of early Canadian history. R.I.P.