Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Procurement Of Information Technology And Canadian Municipalities, Umera Ali

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the trends for the attainment of information technology (IT) and the barriers to the successful procurement of IT. A literature review, survey of IT managers in Ontario municipalities, and three interviews with municipal IT professionals were conducted. The findings reveal that Ontario municipalities are satisfied with their IT projects for using detailed plans, engaging in formal strategic planning, introducing mechanism controls to avoid risks, and using letters of agreement with formally established terms and conditions for projects, all of which are steps towards a successful procurement process. Nevertheless, there are still some barriers for small local governments …

Public Participation In Canadian Local Government: A Study Of The Meadowlily Secondary Plan Process In London, Ontario, Michael Hurley

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines whether the facilitation of public participation in local government is a worthwhile objective, using public engagement in the Meadowlily Secondary Plan in London, Ontario as a case study. An online survey was administered to citizens who participated in the City’s land use planning process. The findings reveal that by participating in decision-making, citizens learned about the processes and responsibilities of municipal government, in addition to other forms of learning, which demonstrates that the facilitation of public participation in municipal government is indeed a worthwhile objective.

Community Engagement In Strengthening Neighbourhood Initiatives, Diana Bumstead

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines which components of community engagement are critical in ensuring that public policy designed to strengthen neighbourhoods is effective. A detailed case study of the London Strengthening Neighbourhoods Strategy (LSNS) in London, Ontario was conducted and compared to less intensive neighbourhood community engagement case studies from Western Europe, the United States, and Canada. The findings reveal that overall, successful cases of citizen participation use the following components of community engagement in their treatment of residents: representativeness, democracy, influence, transparency, and competence or efficiency.

Assessment Of Medium-Sized Ontario Municipalities’ Hiring Practices, Andrea D’Souza

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines whether municipalities incorporate equitable principles within their hiring practices and policies. An anonymous online survey was administered to the chief administrative officers, city managers, and human resources personnel of medium-sized municipalities in Ontario working in the capacity of senior level management, as these individuals are known to be the most knowledgeable about hiring practices and employment equity initiatives. The findings demonstrate that, generally speaking, mid-sized Ontario municipalities are not incorporating strategies within their recruitment and selection processes that work towards reducing employment barriers for designated groups.

The Political Business Cycle In Ontario: An Empirical Analysis Of Financial And Demographic Data Across Medium To Large-Sized Ontario Municipalities, Robert Mcgarva

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines whether there was a political business cycle in Ontario municipalities from 2000 to 2006. An analysis of the top 70 lower- or single-tier municipalities by population was conducted based on financial and employment data obtained from the Ontario Financial Information Return and Municipal Performance Measurement Program websites, in addition to Statistics Canada. The findings reveal that there is weak evidence for the existence of a political business cycle in Ontario municipalities between 2000 and 2006.

Active Recreation Incentives For Low Income Adults Living In Rural Communities, Heather King

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines whether subsidy programs for low-income adults increase participation rates for active recreation. Focus groups of 30 low-income individuals from Norfolk County between the ages of 25 and 55 were conducted to discuss the barriers to active recreation, in addition to less intensive interviews with residents of seven rural single-tier municipalities in Ontario. The findings reveal that a subsidy program alone does not achieve the goal of increasing participation rates for active recreation and the challenges associated with time, energy, childcare, motivation, transportation, safety, the location of facilities, and cost must also be addressed.

The Role Of Municipalities In Redistribution In Ontario: A Study On Ontario Works, Siu Ming Kwok

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the role of Ontario municipalities in redistribution in an effort to understand the values behind welfare policy, the policy process, and the service provision model. Interviews with 15 Ontario Works stakeholders – including two members of municipal council, three senior level managers of a social services department, four members of community-based organizations, and six Ontario Works recipients – from a mid-sized municipality in Southwestern Ontario were conducted. The findings reveal that with regards to redistribution, municipalities can play an active role in policy implementation at the local scale, while policymaking can be left to the province.

How To Shift Into High Gear: An Analysis Of The Implementation Of London’S Bicycle Master Plan, Kenneth Man

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the impediments to the implementation of the Bicycle Master Plan (BMP) in London, Ontario. Interviews with key BMP stakeholders, a literature review, archival research, and participant observations were conducted. The findings reveal that various political and structural and administrative obstacles have impeded the progress of the construction of on-road bicycling facilities in the city, including pressures to maintain the transportation policy status quo, a general lack of advocacy for bicycling-related issues, the problematic assignment of key implementation officials, low levels of data collection, and the absence of a formalized public consultation process.

Explaining The Variation In The E-Government Characteristics Of Municipal Websites: An Analysis Of E-Content, E-Participation, And Social Media Features In Municipal Websites In Canada, Jordan Dolson

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the variation of specific e-Government features in Canadian municipalities and it assesses the quality of municipal websites by evaluating their ability to meet criteria in the three areas of e-Content, e-Participation, and social media capacity. An e-Government Index was developed to evaluate website quality with respect to the three areas and a study of medium-sized Canadian municipalities – excluding those in Quebec – was conducted. The findings reveal that as a whole, medium-sized municipalities in Canada are more successful at developing the e-Content features of their websites compared to the e-Participation features, demonstrating that they are better …

A Study Of The 2006 Municipal Elections In Ontario Analyzing The Effectiveness Of The Campaign Period And Campaign Spending Of Incumbent Mayors And Their Bids To Be Re-Elected, Wendell Graves

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the 2006 municipal elections in Ontario and the manner in which individual mayoral candidates, including incumbent mayors, exercised the length of their campaign period, as well as the amount of money that the candidates spent during their pursuit of office. A case study of municipal elections in 10 municipalities – Barrie, Belleville, Caledon, Innisfil, Milton, Oshawa, Quinte West, Sarnia, St. Thomas, and Waterloo – was undertaken, wherein five of the incumbent mayors were re-elected and five were defeated. The findings generally support the hypothesis that incumbent mayors who maximize the length of their campaign period while spending …

The Role Of Local Government In Social Policy And Program Development: Impacts Of Municipal Reform, Areej Hasso

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines whether municipal reform has led to local government developing self-initiated, innovative social programs that address local needs. Interviews with local government officials and administrators from single- and upper-tier municipalities in Ontario were conducted to gain firsthand accounts of the local government role in the social policy process. The findings reveal that municipal reform, accompanied by the downloading of social services in Ontario, leads to greater levels of autonomy, more flexibility with decision-making, and the ability of local government to take a lead role in the development of social programs and policy.

Law Enforcement Expenditures And Crime Rates In Canadian Municipalities: A Statistical Analysis Of How Law Enforcement Expenditures Impact Municipal Crime Rates In Canada, Matthew Slotwinski

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines what impact law enforcement expenditures have on municipal crime rates. An analysis of 65 municipalities representing nine provinces across Canada was conducted using data collected from the Police Resources in Canada reports from 1997 to 2007 and Census data from 2001 and 2006. The findings reveal that although a significant absolute relationship between expenditures and crime rates exists, there is no indication that law enforcement expenditures have an impact of statistical significance on crime rates.

Eviction Notice – Arrears Due: A Report On Ontario Social Housing Providers’ Discretion To Evict, Valentina Trglavcnik

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the factors that may influence social housing eviction rates in Ontario in terms of local authority, autonomy, and discretion over eviction. A survey and interview of staff members of the largest public housing providers in 12 Ontario municipalities were conducted. The findings reveal that there are several factors that influence each social housing corporation’s eviction rate and there are many explanations for why social housing administrators may or may not decide to evict.

Market Forces And Indigenous Resistance Paradigms, Maggie Walter

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

The pervasive force in the relationship between the nation-state and Australian Indigenous peoples during the 1990s and 2000s was, and is, neoliberalism. Free market ideals became the dominant political philosophy and Indigenous people were coerced into a political ‘experimental’ cutting of a neoliberal template into the fabric of Indigenous life. The pairing of market ideology with concerted efforts to de-power Indigenous groups and people align, at least thematically, the Indigenous experience of neoliberalism with that of a social movement. This article details the entwined story of explicit Indigenous resistance and activism and the how and what of the infiltration of …

Tangible Capital Assets Accounting Policy Implementation In Middlesex County, Glenda Ogilvie

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the implementation aspects of the Public Sector Accounting Board (PSAB) standard for tangible capital assets (TCA) accounting in Middlesex County. A series of interviews with treasurers who work for municipalities in the region were conducted to evaluate the success of the new policy. The findings reveal that in order for local governments to effectively implement the new accounting procedure, having the necessary resources, especially in terms of money and people, is absolutely critical.

The Use Of Joint Ventures To Accomplish Aboriginal Economic Development: Two Examples From British Columbia, Jeremy Boyd, Ronald Trosper

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

“Aboriginal economic development” differs from other forms of development by emphasizing aboriginal values and community involvement. Joint ventures, while providing business advantages, may not be able to contribute to aboriginal economic development. This paper examines two joint ventures in the interior of British Columbia to examine their ability or inability to contribute the extra dimensions of development desired by aboriginal communities. The AED framework examines business structure; profitability; employment; aboriginal capacity in education, experience, and finance; preservation of traditional values, culture and language; control of forest management over traditional territory; and community support. Established in the context of unresolved land …

Locating Xenophobia: Debate, Discourse, And Everyday Experience In Cape Town, South Africa, Belinda Dodson

Geography & Environment Publications

In May 2008, South Africa experienced an outbreak of violence

against foreign Africans living in the country. Political

leaders expressed shock and surprise, but there has in reality

been long-standing and well-documented hostility toward

African immigrants in South Africa. Several competing explanations

have been put forward, with debate gaining urgency

and polarization since the xenophobic attacks of 2008. After

a selective review of the relevant literature to sketch the

contours of that debate, this paper presents findings from

research conducted with African immigrants living in Cape

Town. Their experiences provide further evidence that antiimmigrant

attitudes and behaviors on the part …

Aboriginal Practitioners Speak Out: Contextualising Child Protection Interventions, Dawn Bessarab, Frances Crawford

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

One month before the June 2007 Federal Government Emergency Intervention in the Northern Territory some 55 West Australian Aboriginal child protection workers attended a 3-day summit in Fremantle. Their purpose as front-line practitioners from across the State was to identify how more nurturing and healing communities could be developed and supported in a climate of despair. This paper reports on how the summit was designed and on some of the ideas and concerns that emerged within this dialogical space of cooperative inquiry. The project was a partnership between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal representatives of university, government, and community-service bodies. Aboriginal practitioners …

Exploring The Relationship Between Aboriginal Tourism And Community Development, John W. Colton, Kelly Whitney-Squire

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

Aboriginal communities are increasingly turning toward aboriginal tourism develop- ment to diversify their economic base, validate their claims related to proprietary rights over traditional lands and re-connect youth with elders and the community to their land and their culture. Oftentimes, these development initiatives are tied to broader commu- nity development goals, yet the success of the tourism project is generally measured by its market readiness, revenue generation and job creation. The purpose of this article is to provide insight into the breadth of aboriginal community development benefits from tourism development through a review of literature of selected international case studies …

Strengths-Based Programming For First Nations Youth In Schools: Building Engagement Through Healthy Relationships And Leadership Skills, Claire V. Crooks, Debbie Chiodo, Darren Thomas, Ray Hughes

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

FirstNationsyouthinCanadademonstratedisproportionatelyhighratesofnegative behaviors such as violence, substance abuse, and leaving school early. An understanding of historical context and current environment helps explain these patterns. Providing culturally relevant opportunities for youth to build healthy relationships and leadership skills has the potential to increase youth engagement. Over the past four years our multidisciplinary team of researchers, educators, program developers, and community leaders have worked together to develop a number of school-based initiatives that focus on increasing youth engagement through building on strengths and the promotion of healthy relationships. Specific strategies include peer mentoring, a credit-based academic course, and transition conferences for grade 8 …

Support For First Nations Students: The Significance Of The Aboriginal Resource Teacher’S Role, Jody Alexander, Judy Hewitt, ThéRèSe Narbonne

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

No abstract provided.

School Success And The Intergenerational Effect Of Residential Schooling, Evelyne Bougie, Sacha SenéCal

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

No abstract provided.

Using Data To Monitor Early Literacy Development, Elizabeth A. Sloat, Joan F. Beswick

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

No abstract provided.

Reflections Of Indian Teacher Education Program Graduates: Considerations For Educational Policy And Research, Randolph Wimmer, Louise Legare, Yvette Arcand, Michael Cottrell

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

No abstract provided.

Forging Partners, Opening Doors: Community School Case Studies From Manitoba And Saskatchewan, Susan Phillips

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

No abstract provided.

First Nations Schoolnet And The Migration Of Broadband And Community-Based Ict Applications, Tim Whiteduck

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

No abstract provided.

Building The First Nations E-Community, Judy Whiteduck

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

No abstract provided.

Utilizing Technologies To Promote Education And Well-Being, Penny Carpenter

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

No abstract provided.

Conflicting Ethics: Aboriginal Values And Religious Renaissance, Earle Waugh

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

No abstract provided.

The Policy Implications Of Revitalizing Traditional Aboriginal Religions, Marc Fonda

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

No abstract provided.