Ruto is the Problem.edited

docx

School

University of Nairobi School of Biological Sciences *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

ACC 560

Subject

Economics

Date

Nov 24, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by ChancellorPenguin2124

1.1. Economic Opportunities When different provinces come together, a window of economic opportunities is opened. The interprovincial collaborations between the four provinces of Western Canada enabled cooperation in infrastructure projects, investment, and trade to create jobs and enhance the region's competitiveness. Burdened by the feeling of alienation, these provinces came together to empower themselves. One of the initiatives started through the interprovincial collaboration of the western provinces is the New West Partnership Trade Agreement (NWPTA), which aims to reduce trade barriers and facilitate economic integration. The NWPTA was the first of its kind and is now Canada's largest barrier-free interprovincial market. It allows the free movement of labor, investment, services, and goods through the four provinces (Hansen & Heavin, 2010). This law builds on the Trade, Investment, and Labor Mobility Agreement (TILMA) that had been signed between Alberta and British Columbia but also adds some clarity that Saskatchewan had requested regarding the capacity of municipalities to support economic development (Hansen & Heavin, 2010). Effected on July 1, 2010, the law was fully implemented on July 1, 2013. Under this law, the four provinces have also committed themselves to having an enforceable dispute resolution mechanism that is accessible by investors, workers, businesses, and governments in order to ensure that each of the provinces abides by its commitments. The law also needs provinces to be transparent and notify each other of any measures they intend to undertake, provided they are under the agreement. The four provinces are also required to not only mutually recognize but also reconcile any unnecessary differences in their regulations and standards. Treating workers, investors, and businesses of the other two provinces the same way they treat their own is also meaningful. Finally, the provinces agreed to avoid any measures that impair or

restrict trade through or between their territories and investment and labor mobility between them. 1.2. Advocacy and Policy Alignment Interprovincial collaboration allows provinces to align policies between them and also advocate for policies that favor them at the national level. Through collaboration, they cannot only speak with a unified voice but also exert influence in intergovernmental fora. In economic advocacy, the provinces may align to attract investments, promote their industries, or develop infrastructure. For instance, the western provinces formed the NWPTA, which has helped promote trade in the region. The provinces have also fought against agendas and policies by the government that could impact their economy negatively. For instance, when the carbon tax came up, Saskatchewan and Alberta challenged its constitutionality. While they failed in this, they were successful in their next challenge, with the Supreme Court ruling the Impact Assessment Act of 2019 unconstitutional (Gowling, 2023). These provinces have also signed various policies to protect their natural resources against the federal government's influence. For instance, the Saskatchewan First Act and the Alberta Sovereignty Act were signed to protect the two provinces from the encroachment of Ottawa. Sometimes, policies are also aligned to protect the environment. Provinces may come together to have similar climate change mitigation, sustainability, or conservation standards. By coordinating efforts and speaking in a unified voice, there is a more significant effect in influencing international and national discussions surrounding environmental issues. Advocacy may also be done through political parties and movements. Such was the Wexit calls, which began ahead of the 2019 federal election. There were high calls for separating the Western provinces, particularly in Saskatchewan and Alberta (Eneas, 2019; Soloducha,

2019). This compelled the Liberal Party, which was governing Canada, to stop going to the two provinces. This movement was akin to Brexit, which was conducted in Britain. While it was not successful, it led to the formation of many strong parties that advocated for many policies and issues in Canada. For instance, Wexit Canada was renamed the Maverick Party (Dryden, 2020), while Wexit Alberta joined the Freedom Conservative Party to form the Wildrose Independence Party (Dryden, 2020). Wexit Saskatchewan became the Buffalo Party (Zinchuk, 2020). The Buffalo Party became successful in the provincial elections in Saskatchewan, winning 2.9 percent of the popular vote. Accordingly, through the interprovincial collaborations in the name of Wexit, the Western Provinces found a new platform to voice their grievances. 1.3. Infrastructure Development Interprovincial collaboration also helps in infrastructure development. As provinces come together, they can leverage resources. They pool their expertise and resources, enabling the undertaking of more significant projects they could not achieve individually. Standardization, efficiency, and regional connectivity also come with cooperation. Looking at the western provinces, there have been various developments concerning infrastructure from their cooperation. One of these is the Pacific Gateway Initiative. Through cooperation, the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia have been able to come up with this significant project. This is intended to become the best transportation network facilitating global supply between Asia and North America. Another instance of collaboration in terms of infrastructure between the four provinces is with regard to the Western Transportation Advisory Council (WESTAC). This organization has brought representatives from various sectors, including transportation, industry, and government, together in Western Canada. Through this platform, these groups can discuss various infrastructure issues and look into the transportation

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

challenges in the region. Other infrastructural collaborations include the Western Regional Airports Authority, the Prairie Resilience, and the Western Diversification Program. 1.4. Knowledge Sharing When provinces collaborate, it allows for experts from different fields to collaborate and come up with more viable solutions to tackle different challenges. Provinces can learn from each other's innovations, experiences, and best practices, leading to better service delivery and practical policy solutions. Resources such as specialized services, expertise, and research facilities can also be shared, which will benefit all the participating provinces. Knowledge sharing has been a common practice in Western Canada, with the western provinces sharing knowledge in areas such as water management, mining, forestry, and energy extraction. These companies have shared technological advancements, regulatory approaches, and research findings to promote environmental stewardship and resource development. Knowledge sharing has also been done in indigenous relations, innovation, technology, and agriculture. 2. Challenges of Interprovincial Collaboration While provincial collaborations have received much praise for their benefits, it has not been all good, with challenges of the same also being cited. This essay explores the challenges of interprovincial collaboration through the counterargument, "Interprovincial collaborations such as that of Western Canada come with many unforeseen challenges that, ultimately, negatively affect a region's growth and its citizens' benefits." Some of these challenges include: 2.1. Jurisdictional and Administrative Complexities Different provinces have their jurisdictional responsibilities, legal frameworks, and administrative structures. For successful interprovincial cooperation, these complexities must be

properly navigated such that bureaucratic barriers are overcome, and effective communication takes place. Without a proper layout and strategy, it may become difficult for this to be done, resulting in conflicts between the provinces. 2.2. Competition for Resources This is another challenge that may come with interprovincial collaboration. Considering that most provinces that desire or indulge in collaborations are usually nearby, they may compete for market access, investments, and resources when disagreements regarding industry regulations, revenue sharing, and resource allocation may strain collaborative efforts. When this happens, the interprovincial collaboration may be detrimental to the citizens. For instance, Saskatchewan and Alberta, rich in natural resources, have always been looking for an equitable sharing of the revenue resources, particularly those related to gas and oil. Differing opinions on allocating funds and revenue-sharing formulas have led to tensions between these two provinces. 2.3. Political Dynamics and Power Imbalances Interprovincial collaborations may be affected by power imbalances between smaller and larger provinces. A province with higher economic weight and population may result in more influence, potentially leading to perceived inequities and tensions. It is also possible that partisan differences and political dynamics can hinder effective collaboration. 2.4. Diverging Interests and Priorities In a region, different provinces can have diverse political, social, and economic interests, making proper collaborative efforts difficult. Finding a common ground and reconciling the different priorities can be difficult, especially regarding social policies, taxation, and resource development. For instance, the western provinces disagreed with the expansion of the Keystone

XL Pipeline and the Trans Mountain Pipeline. While some provinces in the union, such as Alberta, wanted the development of the pipeline so that their energy sectors could be supported, others, such as British Columbia, were entirely against the idea, stating that they would impact indigenous communities and the environment. A lawyer representing the government of British Columbia informed a panel of judges that while his government could not stop the pipeline enacted by inter-province, it would try its level best to ensure that the environment is protected (Kane, 2019). The lawyer also argued that future plans needed to be put in place so that provinces could do something to prevent such actions that they do not support. Comparing the benefits and challenges that come with interprovincial collaborations, it is clear that there are more significant benefits than challenges. The benefits included policy alignment, the emergence of political parties, knowledge sharing, economic development, and infrastructural growth. The only challenges with interprovincial collaboration included diverse interests and competition between provinces. However, these can be appropriately mitigated through dialogue or a hearing in a court of law, like in the case of British Columbia. It is clear that interprovincial collaborations positively impact the citizens in the constituent provinces. 3. Conclusion Interprovincial collaborations happen for various reasons, such as governments wanting to enhance economic cooperation, build infrastructure, or fight for a joint course. The interprovincial collaboration between the Western provinces began with the western alienation whereby the provinces felt the federal government had neglected them compared to the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. These provinces came together and started fighting for different courses. Through looking at these provinces, the different benefits of interprovincial collaboration are seen, such as improved trade in the region, proper infrastructure, stronger

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

political parties, and enactment of standard policies. There have also been challenges to interprovincial collaboration, such as divergent interests and resource competition. However, these challenges are small compared to the benefits of interprovincial collaboration. Because interprovincial collaborations always result in more significant benefits to the citizens, they should be promoted.

Ruto is the Problem.edited

Related Documents