The
official policies of the FCP fall into a natural categorization
which corresponds to the ministerial responsibilities of the
province of Ontario.
Whether
we agree with the Canadian Constitution
or not, currently
certain broad categories of responsibility
constitutionally1 pertain to the provincial government, such as
education,
health
care,
economic
development, the
environment,
family
law,
the administration of law
and justice
(policing), social assistance and
policies that relate to municipal affairs, such as housing,
rent
control,
transportation,
etc.
Some
other matters (such as rules for conducting elections,
governmental
affairs
and the ombudsman office to hear public
complaints)
are also of provincial responsibility and should be above
partisan politics.
In
fact, it is perhaps easier to define which matters are not the
responsibility of provinces, but responsibility of the federal
government.
Essentially: Criminal justice, defense and immigration. The fact
that the federal government has exercised more responsibilities
than these in the past, does not make it right.
REFERENCES:
[1]
The
Constitution Act 1867 - Section VI, Paragraph 91: "Powers
of The Parliament" and Paragraph 92: "Exclusive
powers of Provincial Legislatures".