TY - JOUR
T1 - Operative Subsidiarity and Municipal Authority
T2 - The Case of Toronto’s Ward Boundary Review
AU - Flynn, Alexandra
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2019, York University Osgoode Hall Law School. All rights reserved.
PY - 2019
Y1 - 2019
N2 - This paper analyzes what the principle of subsidiarity means for municipalities, arguing in favour of “operative subsidiarity” in the design of provincial legislation. First, I outline the meaning and origins of subsidiarity, including critiques in the potential of its application. Second, I discuss the judicial treatment of municipal authority in Canada over the last twenty years. I advance that municipal authority as interpreted by the SCC has increasingly made room for municipalities as governments deserving of deference, unless the action breaches fairness or human rights. However, despite this judicial evolution, provinces have not drafted legislation with the principle of subsidiarity in mind, leading to unintended consequences as a result of the interplay between laws. This means that while municipalities, especially cities, are asserting a stronger role in national debates, a complex reading of multiple laws mires their ability to act and ultimately complicates decisions once made.
AB - This paper analyzes what the principle of subsidiarity means for municipalities, arguing in favour of “operative subsidiarity” in the design of provincial legislation. First, I outline the meaning and origins of subsidiarity, including critiques in the potential of its application. Second, I discuss the judicial treatment of municipal authority in Canada over the last twenty years. I advance that municipal authority as interpreted by the SCC has increasingly made room for municipalities as governments deserving of deference, unless the action breaches fairness or human rights. However, despite this judicial evolution, provinces have not drafted legislation with the principle of subsidiarity in mind, leading to unintended consequences as a result of the interplay between laws. This means that while municipalities, especially cities, are asserting a stronger role in national debates, a complex reading of multiple laws mires their ability to act and ultimately complicates decisions once made.
KW - Administrative and political divisions
KW - Local government
KW - Subsidiarity
KW - Toronto (Ont.)
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U2 - 10.60082/2817-5069.3482
DO - 10.60082/2817-5069.3482
M3 - Article
SN - 0030-6185
VL - 56
SP - 271
EP - 300
JO - Osgoode Hall Law Journal
JF - Osgoode Hall Law Journal
IS - 2
ER -