DCHP-3

provincialization†

DCHP-2 (Oct 2016)

Spelling variants:
provincialisation

1n. — Administration, Politics

the transfer of responsibilities, duties, or authority to the provincial levels; to download, decentralize.

Type: 3. Semantic Change — Provincialization had been used in the British imperial context to denote the move toward independence in certain colonies. In the Canadian context, the term refers to a transfer of governmental authority, usually from the federal level, to the provinces.
See also COD-2, s.v. "provincialization", which is marked "Cdn", and OED-3, s.v. "provincialize" (3), which is marked "Canad."

Quotations

1967
Although I agree with Anthony Westell's view that Confederation is out of date (A Case for Reconfederation - the Globe Magazine - Nov. 18), I cannot concur with his conclusions. It seems to me that the current trend toward provincialization in this country is to a great extent the result of the eagerness of provincial politicians to increase their own powers; it does not reflect the real interests of the great majority of Canadians. They are interested mostly in such fundamental things as the standard of living and care little about the problems of constitution-making. If we do have sentiments they are usually nationalistic ones. Even many Quebecois want primarily to be able to feel at home all across Canada - something that would not be at all possible under Mr. Westell's scheme.
1975
Under the terms of this act which is due to expire in 1977, the federal government annually transfers to each province an unconditional grant equal to 50 percent of the operating expenditures on post-secondary education made by that province. According to the AUCC draft brief, the unconditional nature of these grants had led to "a provincialization of universities to such an extent that there is little assurance that national objectives will receive attention."
1979
The Government has promised not to take any precipitous action before the jurisdictional issues have been settled. The company has vowed to keep the case tied up in the courts until after the next provincial election, due before fall, 1981. That statement outraged Premier Rene Levesque. Unless the Supreme Court eventually finds constitutional grounds to exempt the company from the threat of provincialization, the Government's cards are obviously better than General Dynamics'. But most observers think the Government is caught on the horns of a political dilemma.
1983
Daniel Johnson, a liberal MNA in the province, said the department released the report at the eleventh hour, after much criticism for keeping the findings quiet. The 63-page report does not come out for or against provincialization of Bell, but it warns that a Bell Quebec would have an annual revenue shortage of between $87-million and $193-million, depending on how many subsidiaries it held. Samin Talhami, vice-president telecommunications for Tamec, said it was recommended that pricing of local telephone services in the province should be modelled after long distance.
1991
We are witnessing the erosion of the nationwide standard of education and research achieved over the years with the provinces and the federal government acting cooperatively. This is only the beginning of the process which will spread inexorably from the poorer to the richer provinces. After this, what? Will the provincialization of the Canada Student Loan Program be far behind? Will it be the elimination of the Canada Scholarship Plan for science and engineering or of the substantial funding for native students? The end of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council - a demand of the Quebec Tory caucus?
1996
As for Quebec, the disunity on the train must leave Bouchard with mixed feelings. He now knows the premiers can squabble when he's not around -- evidence for a sovereigntist that the federation doesn't work. Yet the division over provincialization of federal powers must warn Bouchard how difficult it will be to achieve consensus on power-sharing in the best interests of Quebec. But the lack of agreement among premiers should not be taken as a sign of failure of the federation.
2002
You want more stringent penalties for the production of a product which more than half of Canadians want legal -- a product which the Senate has reviewed and deemed less dangerous than alcohol and tobacco? Why not side with the far more virtuous position that the government should follow the majority views of Canadians and the Senate. The Senate has called for the provincialization and regulation of marijuana like the wine industry. Your editorial view that more Canadians should be sacrificed to the holy altar of the War on Drugs for longer sentences against the wishes of the Canadian majority is morally and fiscally repugnant.
2006
The panel recommended one national body with provincial representation, but Flaherty hasn't yet tied himself to any specific scheme. Unless it's a very loose provincial network, however, it will be a new national body - a rarity in these days of provincialization.
2011
With the provincialization of health care, it can be difficult for physicians to risk upsetting the Alberta Health Services bureaucracy. Whereas, before provincialization, a physician who fell from AHS favour in Edmonton might find work, for example, in Calgary, now Alberta doctors who speak out might need to leave the province -as Dr. McNamee famously did by accepting a position at Harvard.
2n. — rare

in some contexts, the term can be used synonymously with to upload from a lower, e.g., municipal or private levels, to the provincial levels.

Type: 3. Semantic Change —

Quotations

1986
"The principal reason for Jean Drapeau's glory will undoubtedly be that he prevented the 'provincialisation' of Montreal that appeared to be happening late in the 1940s," Comeau said.
2003
Joe Garcea, a University of Saskatchewan political studies professor, said the NDP had to do something to address and manage the controversy surrounding failed government investments. He said the Sask. Party has scored political points dwelling on money- losers such as Spudco, the potato venture that went wrong. "The issue is going to be privatization versus provincialization," said Garcea. "What I mean by that is the NDP will promise to make sure the assets are working in Saskatchewan. And they are going to make the argument that the government retaining control will provide greater assurance of that happening."

References

  • OED-3
  • COD-2