Federalism
POGG, Trade and Commerce
GHG Reference and the limits of federal power.
Federal authority over national matters is grounded in Peace, Order and Good Government (POGG) and the general trade and commerce power. The GHG Reference (2021) reinvigorated POGG's national-concern branch, upholding minimum federal carbon-pricing standards. The Securities Reference (2011) confined the general trade and commerce power, holding the proposed federal Securities Act ultra vires. The Senate Reform Reference (2014) emphasised that constitutional architecture, not just text, governs amendment.
Key principles
- POGG branchesGap, emergency, national concern.
- National concern testSingle, distinct, indivisible matter; impact reconcilable with division of powers; provincial inability.
- General trade and commerceFive GM Indicia; narrow scope.
Cases (12)
Reference re Pan‑Canadian Securities Regulation
landmark2018 SCC 48
Supreme Court of Canada· 2018· Federalism
Preventous Collaborative Health v. Canada (Health)
2021 FC 253
Federal Court· 2021· Federalism
British Columbia (Attorney General) v. Alberta (Attorney General)
2019 FC 1195
Federal Court· 2019· Federalism
Orphan Well Association v. Grant Thornton Ltd.
2019 SCC 5
Supreme Court of Canada· 2019· Federalism
Reference re Securities Act 2018
2018 SCC 48
Supreme Court of Canada· 2018· Federalism
Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. v. Canada (Attorney General)
2017 FC 22
Federal Court· 2017· Federalism
Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc v. Canada (Attorney General)
2016 FC 716
Federal Court· 2016· Federalism
Rogers Communications Inc. v. Châteauguay (City)
2016 SCC 23
Supreme Court of Canada· 2016· Federalism
407 ETR Concession Co. v. Canada (Superintendent of Bankruptcy)
2015 SCC 52
Supreme Court of Canada· 2015· Federalism
Alberta (Attorney General) v. Moloney
2015 SCC 51
Supreme Court of Canada· 2015· Federalism
Saskatchewan (Attorney General) v. Lemare Lake Logging Ltd.
2015 SCC 53
Supreme Court of Canada· 2015· Federalism
Council of Natural Medicine College of Canada v. College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia
2013 FC 287
Federal Court· 2013· Federalism