The cities charter movement advocates for constitutional recognition of municipalities, particularly large cities, as an order of government separate from their current status as 'creatures of the province.' Proponents argue Canada's constitutional framework, designed when the country was predominantly rural, fails to reflect the modern reality where most Canadians live in cities. Constitutional recognition could provide cities with guaranteed powers, more autonomous revenue sources, and direct federal relationships. Critics note the difficulty of constitutional amendment, concerns about rural representation, and that some provinces already provide significant municipal autonomy through legislation. The debate reflects fundamental questions about local government's place in Canada's federal structure.