Intergovernmental relations in Canada: The emergence of collaborative federalism

Executive federalism or 'federal-provincial diplomacy" has long been considered the defining characteristic of Canadian federalism, which combines federalism, and Westminster-style cabinet government. However these processes have come under, increasing stress in recent ' years from a number of forces that have affected the nature and conduct of federalism and intergovernmental relations in Canada. Executive federalism has not been displaced, but has h en increasingly informed by a set of practices that we call "collaborative federalism, "characterized more by the principle of co-determination initiation of broad national policies rather than by the more traditional pattern federal-leadership.