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Articles 1 - 10 of 10
Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Visible Minorities: What Individual Characteristics Determine Electoral Success In Municipal Councils In The Greater Toronto Area?, Guhad Hersi
MPA Major Research Papers
This paper examines the extent to which individual characteristics contribute to electoral success in the municipal context with a particular focus on visible minority (VM) candidates in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). It uses a cross-sectional study approach to test four hypotheses: if the VM candidate was born in Canada, he/she is more likely to have electoral success; if the VM candidate has previous political experience, he/she is more likely to be elected to a municipal council; if the VM candidate has a political mentor, he/she is more likely to have electoral success; and if the VM candidate runs for …
Citizen Engagement In Budget Planning In Ontario Municipalities, Melihate Limani
Citizen Engagement In Budget Planning In Ontario Municipalities, Melihate Limani
MPA Major Research Papers
This paper examines the opportunities and barriers for the further development of citizen engagement in the budgeting process within Ontario municipalities. Primary data was collected through a comprehensive survey provided to 444 municipalities in order to identify the current practices and challenges faced, while secondary data was collected through research assessing two Ontario municipalities that have implemented participatory budgeting – Hamilton and Guelph. The findings reveal that the barriers to citizen engagement in Ontario municipalities are not unique and they relate to major challenges that are linked to finding new ways to increase citizen interest and knowledge about budgeting and …
Post-Secondary Promises: What Do Ontario Municipalities Expect To Realize From University Satellite Campuses?, Brittney Yeats
Post-Secondary Promises: What Do Ontario Municipalities Expect To Realize From University Satellite Campuses?, Brittney Yeats
MPA Major Research Papers
This paper examines the local impact of university satellite campuses by focusing on the factors that motivate municipalities to pursue a satellite campus and the benefits they intend to realize with these developments. It uses four case studies – Laurier Brantford, Lakehead Orillia, McMaster Burlington, and University of Waterloo Stratford – as well as a diverse range of literature to gain further insight on the motivations and expected benefits that municipalities seek to accomplish. The findings reveal that municipalities pursue university satellite campuses as a form of development policy, with the expected benefits far exceeding the perceived costs to the …
The Impacts Of Land Use Growth Restrictions Upon Municipal Finances: A Comparative Study Of A Rural Municipality, An Urban Settlement Municipality, And A Primary Settlement Municipality, Douglas Herron
MPA Major Research Papers
This paper examines the impact of growth controls on the finances of local government. It focuses on the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and the growth controls imposed through the Growth Plan upon the County of Simcoe and the local municipal governments within the boundaries of the County of Simcoe. The impact of growth controls is analyzed using a detailed analysis of three sample municipalities, which include the Township of Tiny, a rural municipality, the Town of Wasaga Beach, a high growth municipality, and the Town of Collingwood, a high growth municipality designated for population intensification. The findings …
Public Engagement Trends In Southwestern Ontario’S Municipalities, Marcy Puzanov
Public Engagement Trends In Southwestern Ontario’S Municipalities, Marcy Puzanov
MPA Major Research Papers
This paper explores what topics municipalities are utilizing public engagement for the most and the reasons behind those decisions, as well as the tools that municipalities are using most frequently to engage the public and the associated rationales behind those decisions. The research data was collected using an online questionnaire that was sent to various municipalities in Southwestern Ontario. The findings reveal that the respondent municipalities are engaging in public engagement to some extent, particularly with provincially legislated topics. Furthermore, traditional tools of engagement, such as public meetings, are favoured over innovative tools, and the benefits associated with local problem …
Open Data And Big Data Programs In Local Government Policy Analysis, Susan Chase
Open Data And Big Data Programs In Local Government Policy Analysis, Susan Chase
MPA Major Research Papers
This paper examines the development of policy around the open data programs for local government. Through a literature review, a survey of large municipalities in Ontario, and in-depth interviews, the research attempts to identify if there are factors that ensure whether the policy development process is more likely to be implemented along with the program or if there is a lack of policy development as a result of it. The findings reveal a definite lack of policy development with the open data program, which is likely due to the challenge for policy makers to ensure appropriate access and privacy protection, …
Strategic Asset Management In The City Of Hamilton: An Analysis Of The Integration Of Strategic Planning And Management Elements Into Municipal Infrastructure Asset Management Programs, Brent Kittmer
MPA Major Research Papers
This paper examines which elements of strategic planning and strategic management are associated with improved organizational performance and how these elements are practically implemented in a municipality’s asset management program. The four key elements of strategic planning and management identified include: developing formal plans and using planning tools; setting goals and implementing performance measurement systems; internal and external stakeholder involvement; and linking the strategic process to the organization’s budget. A qualitative case study of the City of Hamilton’s asset management program was completed to describe how these strategic elements are practically implemented. The findings reveal that each of the key …
Development Permit System Policy Development In Ontario: Factors That Contribute To Implementation, Natalie Stopar
Development Permit System Policy Development In Ontario: Factors That Contribute To Implementation, Natalie Stopar
MPA Major Research Papers
In 2007, the Province of Ontario introduced a new planning tool called the Development Permit System (DPS) in order to increase the efficiency, certainty, and scope of the planning system. Despite these stated benefits, it has only been implemented in four municipalities. This paper examines the factors that could be limiting the implementation of the system in some municipalities, while encouraging implementation in others, using case studies conducted in five municipalities: the Township of Lake of Bays, the Township of Mulmur, the City of Kitchener, the Town of East Gwillimbury, and the City of Hamilton. Interviews were conducted with a …
Policing In Ontario: Financial Impacts And Opportunities, Michael Touw
Policing In Ontario: Financial Impacts And Opportunities, Michael Touw
MPA Major Research Papers
This paper examines police forces across Canada and the United States in an effort to determine why there are such large discrepancies in per capita policing costs between Ontario and North American comparators. While there are obvious differences between the various states, provinces, and territories in North America, and not all are similar to Ontario, all jurisdictions were nonetheless assessed and compared with the expectation that the variances might help to explain the figures for per capita police cost. The data was collected from a variety of sources, including Statistics Canada and the U.S. Census Bureau, as well as various …
Food Safety Program Performance In Ontario, Matthew Ruf
Food Safety Program Performance In Ontario, Matthew Ruf
MPA Major Research Papers
This paper examines the characteristics of health units in Ontario that determine a high level of performance with their food safety programs. Data was collected using a survey that was sent to all public health jurisdictions that provide food safety programs in the province. The intent of the survey was to collect information regarding a health department’s food safety program and the health department factors that may impact the program’s performance. The findings reveal that a health unit’s inspection score is significantly related to its environment and is influenced by the following variables: specialized versus generalized program delivery; an urban …