Digital Commons Network^™

Empowering Indigenous Peoples’ Biocultural Diversity Through World Heritage Cultural Landscapes: A Case Study From The Australian Humid Tropical Forests, Rosemary Hill, Leanne C. Cullen-Unsworth, Leah D. Talbot, Susan Mcintyre-Tamwoy

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

Australian humid tropical forests have been recognised as globally significant natural landscapes through world heritage listing since 1988. Aboriginal people have occupied these forests and shaped the biodiversity for at least 8000 years. The Wet Tropics Regional Agreement in 2005 committed governments and the region’s Rainforest Aboriginal peoples to work together for recognition of the Aboriginal cultural heritage associated with these forests. The resultant heritage nomination process empowered community efforts to reverse the loss of biocultural diversity. The conditions that enabled this empowerment included: Rainforest Aboriginal peoples’ governance of the process; their shaping of the heritage discourse to incorporate biocultural …

Organizational Behavioural Obstructions Between Planners And Implementing The Development Permit System, Joseph Nethery

MPA Major Research Papers

This study examines why few municipalities in Ontario have adopted the Development Permit System (DPS). In attempting to identify what relationships exist between organizational behaviours and the consideration of DPS, a survey pre-test and a full survey were administered to various municipalities in Ontario, in addition to a case study of DPS in Carleton Place. The findings reveal that larger municipalities and municipalities with a higher number of Registered Professional Planners tend to consider DPS more often, with statistically significant relationships found between the consideration of DPS and the individual interest of planners, challenging development projects, and male planners.

Corruption Prevention In Ontario Municipalities, Jacqueline Palmer

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines whether provincial and municipal government actions are sufficient to reduce and eventually eliminate corruption in order to preserve integrity within Ontario municipalities. A case study analysis of the incidents and allegations of corruption highlighted in the City of Toronto’s Bellamy Inquiry Report was conducted. The findings reveal that the preventative measures currently in place to guide the municipal decision making process are insufficient to prevent corruption and municipal staff, the general public, police, and the private sector can help maintain integrity within municipalities.

Deliberative Democracy And Empowerment: An Analysis Of The Toronto Community Housing Corporation’S Tenant Participation System, Sewit Tamene

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines whether programs that adopt the principles of deliberative democracy can evoke feelings of empowerment among participants. Interviews with residents of the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) were conducted to determine whether tenants who participate in the Tenant Participation System, specifically the participatory budgeting program, become empowered. The findings reveal that deliberative democracy is consistent with high levels of empowerment and tenants felt that empowerment was derived from a decision-making process that they were able to control.

Affordable Housing Within A Post-Welfare State: The Case Of Toronto, Dave Guyadeen

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the firsthand effects of the federal government’s Affordable Housing Initiative on the City of Toronto. A series of in-depth interviews were conducted with key housing stakeholders within the housing sector, including representatives of the City of Toronto and Toronto Community Housing, as well as affordable housing advocates. The findings reveal that despite the introduction of the Affordable Housing Initiative, Toronto’s affordable housing system has experienced an increased reliance on the private sector and the perpetuation of temporary solutions that fail to address the affordable housing crisis in the city.

The Progression Of Open Data Initiatives In Canadian Municipalities: The Evolution Of E-Government Services And Its Relationship To An Emerging Movement, David Crozier

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the rationale for why local governments develop open data programs. Interviews were conducted with officials from six Canadian municipalities involved in open data projects – Vancouver, Edmonton, Ottawa, London, Nanaimo, and Medicine Hat – and two community members from Vancouver and London who have played an important role in these developments. The findings reveal that both municipal officials and citizens have a strong desire for open data but the movement has progressed slowly and there are several areas in which it can improve.

Recidivism In Ontario Works In The Region Of Waterloo, Catherine Bossenberry

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the reasons why Ontario Works (OW) clients return to social assistance, with a specific focus on the Region of Waterloo. It uses an analysis of case file data from the Province of Ontario’s social assistance database to provide a comprehensive understanding of the OW caseload for the regional municipality. The findings reveal that the reasons why clients return to OW in the Region of Waterloo are complicated and there are many factors – such as gender, age, education, family composition, and housing – that determine whether a client will return to social assistance.

A Study Of Ontario Caos: Career Progression And The Influence Of Political Actors, Kelley Coulter

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines whether there is a standard career path for chief administrative officers (CAOs) in Ontario and if mayoral turnover has an effect on CAO tenure. A study of the 100 largest lower- and single-tier municipalities in the province was completed involving various research methods to discover the professional background of CAOs and changes in political actors. The findings reveal that a career path of single-city careerists or ladder climbers is prevalent in Ontario, with substantial turnover among the top appointed CAO position, and mayoral change appears to have a direct relationship on the tenure of CAOs.

Accessibility: Legislation And Implementation In Canada And China, Weizheng Fu

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines what China can learn from Canada regarding how to design and implement accessibility legislation, with a specific focus on Ontario. It analyzes accessibility laws and policy implementation in Canada and the existing problems in China’s accessibility policies based on a literature review, documentary research, case studies, and interviews. The findings reveal the following lessons that China can learn from Ontario: raising awareness about accessibility; making accessibility laws more comprehensive; enhancing the importance of accessibility on the government’s agenda; and improving legislative review mechanisms.

Workforce Diversity Management In Ontario Municipalities, Jennifer Lajoie

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines why some municipalities have implemented workforce diversity management plans and policies, while others have not. A case study analysis of nine mid-sized Ontario municipalities – Chatham-Kent, Sudbury, Guelph, Kitchener, Lambton, London, St. Catharines, Thunder Bay, and Windsor – was conducted. The findings reveal that common patterns for the existence of workforce diversity management policies include: a wake-up call that helps trigger change; the creation of organizational buy-in; the existence of a champion for diversity; and a consideration of local environmental forces.

Aging Related Issues And The Agenda Setting Process: A Comparative Analysis, Annie Tam

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the agenda setting process with regards to the implementation of initiatives concerning population aging. A comparative analysis of Age Friendly London in the City of London and the Older Adult Plan in the City of Mississauga were conducted. The findings reveal that both initiatives illustrate many elements of the agenda setting process proposed in the relevant theories and fundamental factors, such as the impact of the media and the power of a political champion, were evident in each case study.

Health Conditions And Health-Policy Innovations In Brazil: The Way Forward, Cesar G. Victoria, Mauricio L. Barreto, Maria Do Carmo, Carlos A. Monteiro, Maria Ines Schmidt, Jairnilson Paim, Francisco I. Bastos, Celia Almeida, Ligia Bahia, Claudia Travassos, Michael Reichenheim, Fernando C. Barros

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

No abstract provided.

From Brawn To Brains: How Immigration Works For America, Pia Orrenius

Western Migration Conference Series

Bio:

Pia Orrenius is Research Officer and Senior Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and Adjunct Professor at the Hankamer School of Business, Baylor University. Her research focuses on the labor market impacts of immigration, unauthorized immigration, and U.S. immigration policy, and her work has been published in the American Economic Review, Journal of Development Economics, Labour Economics, Industrial and Labor Relations Review, among others. She is coauthor of the book Beside the Golden Door: U.S. Immigration Reform in a New Era of Globalization (2010, AEI Press). Dr. Orrenius is a Research Fellow at …

Immigration And The Population Of Canada: The 2000-2010 Decade In Historical Context, Roderic Beaujot, Muhammed Raza

Western Migration Conference Series

The paper elaborates the role of immigration and immigration policy in Canada. Certain phases of immigration are identified in historical and policy contexts. The consequences of immigration in terms of population growth, age structure and geographical distribution are highlighted. The paper concludes with the social, economic and cultural impact of immigration.

Rural Centres And Immigration: Policy, People, And Applied Research, William Ashton

Western Migration Conference Series

Roles of immigrants in rural centres is not well understood. Research is needed to define a welcoming community, yet Steinbach and Brandon, Mantioba serve as examples of welcoming immigrants. From interviews, immigrant priorities are housing and employment. Recent research described rural housing strategies and pathways for hiring immigrants. Rural policy implications are also noted.

Religion Mix Growth In Canadian Cities: A Look At 2006-2031 Projections Data, Fernando Mata

Western Migration Conference Series

Summary: Special tables from Statistics Canada microsimulation projections data 2006-2036 were used as data sources. The analysis found that the Non-Christian to Christian ratio will double between 2006 to 2031 (from 15 to 30 per 100) while the No religion to Religion ratio will remain stable at about 26 per100 by 2031. Non-Christian to Christian ratios will be equal or higher than 45 per 100 in cities such as Toronto, Abbotsford and Vancouver by 2031. No religion to Religion ratios will continue to be higher than average in most in British Columbia and other Western cities compared to others in …

More Than Wind: Evaluating Renewable Energy Opportunities For First Nations In Nova Scotia And New Brunswick, Diana Campbell

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

More than Wind: Evaluating Renewable Energy Opportunities for First Nations in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick is one of nine new research reports on Aboriginal economic development released by Atlantic Aboriginal Economic Development Integrated Program, (AAEDIRP) in 2010/2011.

The AAEDIRP is a unique research program formed through partnerships between the 38 member communities of the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs (APCFNC), plus the Inuit, 12 Atlantic

universities and 4 government funders, both federal and provincial. AAEDIRP funders include Indian and North Affairs Canada, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Aboriginal Affairs, …

Library Sector Leadership: Bridging Theory And Practice, Melanie Mills, Charlotte Innerd

Western Libraries Presentations

Explore the issue of leadership in libraries with one current student and one graduate of The University of Victoria's Professional Graduate Certificate in Library Sector Leadership. Looking specifically at Kouzes and Posner's 'Five Practices of Exemplary Leaders' and Quinn et al.'s 'Competing Values Framework', we hope to share our own discoveries and insights and add to the important discussion of leadership in Libraries.

What Are The Options? Pricing And Taxation Policy Reforms To Redress Excessive Alcohol Consumption And Related Harms In Australia, Natacha Carragher, Jenny Chalmers

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

Increasing community and political concern about excessive alcohol consumption and related harms in Australia has prompted calls for the introduction of tighter regulatory controls. From an evidence-based, research perspective, measures which increase alcohol prices and taxes, in particular, are considered most effective for reducing alcohol consumption and related harms. Accordingly, this report presents a review of pricing and taxation policy levers that have been considered and/or implemented nationally

and internationally. These policies include: alcohol taxation and differential price by beverage; special/additional taxation on alcopops; minimum pricing; and bans on price discounts and promotions. Industry response to these policy initiatives is …

Using The Commons To Facilitate Health Communication, Anna Liebzeit, Karen Adams, Mat Jakobi

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

No abstract provided.

Crisis On Tap: Seeking Solutions For Safe Water For Indigenous Peoples, Jeff Reading, Danielle Perron, Namaste Marsden, Robynne Edgar, Bianka Saravana-Bawan, Lauren Baba

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

Water which is safe to drink straight from the tap is taken for granted by many Canadians, despite the fact that access to safe drinking water is far from universal. Across the country, many communities endure conditions unimaginable to most Canadians: water accessed through pipe systems causes gastrointestinal illness, must be boiled prior to consumption or not used at all, and these drinking water advisories can last anywhere from a few days to several years. First Nations are over-represented in both the number and severity of drinking water advisories, and face considerable barriers in (re-)establishing clean drinking water in their …

Sharing Knowledge For A Better Future: Adaptation And Clean Energy Experiences In A Changing Climate, N.A.

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

No abstract provided.

Indigenous Communities And Evidence Building, Holly Echo-Hawk

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

Indigenous populations in the U.S. and Pacific Islands are underrepresented in mental health and substance abuse research, are underserved, and have limited access to mainstream providers. Often, they receive care that is low quality and culturally inappropriate, resulting in compromised service outcomes. The First Nations Behavioral Health Association (U.S.) and the Pacific Substance Abuse and Mental Health Collaborating Council (Pacific Jurisdictions), have developed a Compendium of Best Practices for American Indian/Alaska Native and Pacific Island Populations. The private and public sector’s increasing reliance on evidence-based practices (EBP) leaves many Indigenous commu- nities at a disadvantage. For example, funding sources may …

Expropriating Land For Public Purposes: What China Can Learn From Canada, Xuezi Zhong

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the expropriation of peasant land in China and land expropriation in Canada in an effort to determine the lessons that China can learn from Canada’s experience. It provides a case study of land ownership in each country to analyze the expropriation system that is in place, as well as the procedures that are taken throughout the process. The findings reveal the following recommendations for China based on Canada’s experience: design the contents of the franchise contract clearly and protect the right of peasants to participate in the land expropriation process; clarify the purpose of expropriation; raise the …