Fiscal federalism in Canada is a complex and multi-dimensional system; it is also at the core of the functioning of the federation and aims to strike a delicate balance between some core principles: fairness, efficiency, solidarity, and provincial autonomy. Yet, in recent years, fiscal federalism has become a particularly contentious issue in intergovernmental relations, and in Canadian politics more broadly. All signs are that this situation will remain for some time. Furthermore, the national emergency triggered by COVID-19 has stressed the importance of coherence and multi-level collaboration between federal, provincial, territorial, and local governments. Thus, it is timely and appropriate to examine and debate Canadian fiscal federalism in the context of a major conference, and to produce a resource book that can become a primary reference for scholars, students, policy-makers, and informed citizens alike.

This conference features some of the most prominent Canadian scholars and experts on a wide range of topics related to fiscal federalism. The conference, and subsequent edited book, will accomplish four objectives: