What Canada Could Learn From Swiss Federalism

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) Canada, like Switzerland, is a federal state. However, Canada's system lacks a mechanism for resolving conflicts, say experts. This could prove costly if separatist sentiment grows in one of the provinces – as is currently the case in Alberta, where voters will decide on several issues this autumn. This content was published on June 9, 2026 - 09:00 10 minutes

As a reporter I cover developments in democracy where the Swiss perspective becomes relevant. I am Swiss and have long been fascinated by the way public discussions shape society.

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At the 2026 annual gathering of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called on“like-minded democracies” to cooperate – so as not to be squeezed between the US, China and Russia.

However, he made it clear that he was not in favour of“naive multilateralism”. Instead, he spoke of“partners who have enough in common to act together”.

Cooperation is easier when partners want similar things. The approach Carney outlined in Davos for international politics resembled what he knows from home: Canada's federal system.

Most power rests with the prime minister

Canada is the second-largest country in the world by area. Its 40.5 million inhabitants live not only in different provinces and territories, but also across different time and climate zones. Organising a democracy of this scale is therefore a considerable challenge.

“In theory, Canada shouldn't exist,” says Swiss federalism expert Sean Müller.“Federalism means the sharing of power and cooperation.” But Canada's system concentrates most power in the hands of the prime minister, he says.“The usual pattern is that provincial governments and the federal government are at political loggerheads,” says Müller. This is“to some extent” the intention: the lower level keeps the upper level in check.

But unlike in Switzerland, there is no institutional mechanism for negotiation and compromise.

Read our article on the principle of collegiality, which governs decision-making within Switzerland's concordance government:

More More Swiss democracy 'One for all, all for one' – how the Swiss government makes decisions

This content was published on Apr 22, 2025 Secret meetings, no prime minister, and a seven-member executive that defends decisions collectively – the Swiss system of“collegiality” explained.

Read more: 'One for all, all for one' – how the Swiss government makes deci

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