STATE LIMITS ON RELIGION IN CANADA

This systematic study of relations between religion and politics in Ca nada examines the growing role of State processes in the activities of religious groups. This study is divided into two parts. The first par t, which deals with historical aspects, shows how the growth of the Ca nadian State and of the provinces imposed limits on religious activity and led to the consolidation of the establishment of the three main C hristian Churches, closely associated but subordinated to the State. B etween 1960 and 1991, the spectacular growth of the provincial and fed eral State apparatuses led to the decline of the majority historical r eligions. Their loss of influence, demographic stagnation and lack of resources have combined with growing state regulation and dispossessio n of sectors that the State had traditionally abandoned to the Churche s. According to the authors, this constant and growing extension of St ate control better explains the loss of influence of Churches than sec ularization.