Why isn't Ottawa its own separate district? (living in, law)
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I am surprised at times that Canada's national capital never declared that as the national capitals of many other nations (U.S., China, Mexico, etc.) are its own district. Why is that so? Being a separate district, the Ottawa government can easily enact laws and regulations entirely separate from Ontario Province. Isn't that a good thing?
It's not really up to Ottawa to decide. Municipalities are creatures of the provinces so Ottawa would have to agree to it. Ontario would lose its second-biggest city and second source of revenue.
Of course, to really make it work you'd have to include Gatineau too. You have the same issues as Ottawa (Gatineau is the third metro area of Quebec) plus it would be even more politically sensitive. It's actually illegal for the Quebec government to cede territory to the feds or any other province.
I am surprised at times that Canada's national capital never declared that as the national capitals of many other nations (U.S., China, Mexico, etc.) are its own district. Why is that so? Being a separate district, the Ottawa government can easily enact laws and regulations entirely separate from Ontario Province. Isn't that a good thing?
Problem is that Canada's constitution makes no mention of "municipal districts." Under the constitution, only the federal government and the provinces have any jurisdiction (see ss. 91-95 of the Constitution). Acajack is quite correct when he states that municipalities are constituted under provincial law (see Constitution s. 92(8)), and as such, Ottawa cannot declare itself its own district.
In short, it would take a constitutional amendment before Ottawa could become a self-governing district like Washington DC or Canberra ACT.
Problem is that Canada's constitution makes no mention of "municipal districts." Under the constitution, only the federal government and the provinces have any jurisdiction (see ss. 91-95 of the Constitution). Acajack is quite correct when he states that municipalities are constituted under provincial law (see Constitution s. 92(8)), and as such, Ottawa cannot declare itself its own district.
In short, it would take a constitutional amendment before Ottawa could become a self-governing district like Washington DC or Canberra ACT.
Thanks. BTW my first sentence should have read "so Ontario would have to agree to it". But you already knew that I am sure...
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Also Ottawa has less than 1 million inhabitants...
Mute point. You make it sound like they are a far cry from a million in fact there are approximately 950K.
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Originally Posted by QuebecOpec
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Also Washington as a special district is distorting for American federalism (no equality of federal states anymore as one district stands out).
Not true. DC is very much accepted as the federal capital reason based on my days living in the US. If you can support your statements I'd love to hear it! lol
Mute point. You make it sound like they are a far cry from a million in fact there are approximately 950K.
Ottawa has 950 000 on 2778 km²!!!
Vancouver has 630 000 on 115km²,
Ottawa's city limits are 24x greater than the one of Vancouver.
Any North American city with 300 000 inhabitants could simply incorporate its entire surrounding region and artificially bolster up its number of inhabitants and become officially as large as Ottawa.
Ottawa is basically a city-region; it feels like a 300 000 city and is actually far far below a real 1 million inhabitants city.
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Originally Posted by 40roller
Not true. DC is very much accepted as the federal capital reason based on my days living in the US. If you can support your statements I'd love to hear it! lol
It does not surprise me, that the inhabitants of the industrialized world's most unequal nation are supportive of their own inequality, even in federal structures....
+ It seems like you were in the East Coast or in the Chicago / North-East America corridor.
Actually, in the Bible Belt, Central North America and the regions where there are the most Trump supporters, lots of people don't like Washington.
Vancouver has 630 000 on 115km²,
Ottawa's city limits are 24x greater than the one of Vancouver.
Any North American city with 300 000 inhabitants could simply incorporate its entire surrounding region and artificially bolster up its number of inhabitants and become officially as large as Ottawa.
Ottawa is basically a city-region; it feels like a 300 000 city and is actually far far below a real 1 million inhabitants city.
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Actually few a few NA cities do incorporate. Look at Pittsburgh for example, it's CMA is listed at around 2.3 Million and has a massive land area to boot. While Pittsburgh is a nice city, it is hardly an imposing place or imposing in stature.
Not going to split hairs over Ottawa's urban Ontario population but we both know it's just a shade under a million so cut the bull****.
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Originally Posted by QuebecOpec
It does not surprise me, that the inhabitants of the industrialized world's most unequal nation are supportive of their own inequality, even in federal structures....
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I detect a little US bashing here. Your comments are rich which don't surprise me really. You represent Quebecers to a tee. lol
Quote:
Originally Posted by QuebecOpec
+ It seems like you were in the East Coast or in the Chicago / North-East America corridor.
Actually, in the Bible Belt, Central North America and the regions where there are the most Trump supporters, lots of people don't like Washington.
"It seems"?? lol Ya ok. Like the perception I gave was that I lived in the Bible Belt or Chicago? You are dead wrong actually. Try California!! lol
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