The political organization of Canada is often referred to as 'cooperative federalism,' and there are few government activities, including the delivery of corrections services, that do not require negotiation and agreement between political authorities at the Federal and provincial levels. Various legislative instruments establish the jurisdictional authority of the provinces and the Federal Government in the area of criminal justice. In response to the perceived failure of institutional treatment programs premised on the 'medical model,' Federal corrections in 1977 adopted a Program Opportunities approach which shifted the responsibility for reformation to the offender, who is expected to assume the initiative in becoming involved in programs and services offered in correctional institutions. Although there continues to be an emphasis on community-based programs, since the late 1970's, there has been a discernible shift in correctional policy and practice toward a reparative model. Canadian institutional populations rarely total over 500 inmates, and the incarceration rate for 1984-85 was 108 per 100,000 population. Current issues and initiatives involve the female offender, Native Indian and Inuit offenders, the long-term Federal offender, community involvement in corrections, the changing legislative framework, and the fiscal crisis of government. 6 footnotes, 59 references.