Federal-Provincial Joint Cabinet Meeting 1997

 

The Government of Canada and its most populous province, Ontario, have had a storied relationship since confederation in 1867.  Throughout much of the 20th century, leaders in the Government of Ontario sought also to be leaders on the national stage, working cooperatively with their federal counterparts on everything from healthcare to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  However, in recent times, the relationship between these two Canadian political “heavyweights” has become acrimonious.  Disagreements (and and at times outright hostility) have arisen on a wide array of issues, including but not limited to, transit, the Senate, aboriginal issues, environment, taxation and pension plans, and immigration.  In this simulation, we assume both parties have realized that the situation is unsustainable in the long term, and the Prime Minister and Premier have called an extraordinary joint cabinet meeting in Toronto.  Delegates will take the roles of the Prime Minister, Premier, one of the federal cabinet members or one of the provincial cabinet members in an effort to resolve some of these issues.  While it is assumed that everyone in attendance is there in the spirit of cooperation, there will no doubt be heated debate whose outcome (positive or negative) will affect the future of Canada for decades to come!