Governance

Question 1

Definition of Governance

Answer 1

The process of social and economic coordintion and management whereby state institutions AS WELL AS non-state actors pool together their respective resources and knowledge to address social problems (e.g. revenue generation, regulating land use, solving social problems like housing and poverty). In the Canadian context, an important interorganization relationship is the relationship between different levels of government.

Question 2

Describe the structure of the Canadian Municipal System

Answer 2

Local governments fall under provincial jurisdiction and derive all their authority from provincial law under the Canadian Constitution (e.g. Municipal Act establishes municipalities in Ontario)

Question 3

Describe the role of federal governments in the context of urban governance

Answer 3

No legal authority over municipalities; plays indirect but crucial role in urban areas through e.g. taxation, large-scale infrastructure funding, and immigration policy
e.g. GTTA, Ontario’s LIPs, NHI

Question 4

Describe the role of provincial governments in the context of urban governance

Answer 4

Sets legal framework for municipalities; responsible for many social services (healthcare, education, labour); directly or indirectly funds infrastructure plays key role in municipal land-use (e.g. Ontario Planning Act, 1990)

Land Use Planning: Planning Act policy statements, promote provincial agenda (e.g. farmland protection and environment), advises municipalities on planning issues, administers local planning controls

Question 5

Describe the role of municipal governments in the context of urban governance

Answer 5

Can vary a lot by municipality (e.g. Ontario - munipalities provide many social services; Quebec - provincial responsibility); fire, road works, property tax, local land-use (zoning)

Land Use Planning: makes local planning decisions, prepares planning documents (e.g. Toronto’s official plan)

Question 6

Past Exam Essay Prompt: What is meant by the term ‘governance’? Outline the roles played by different tiers of
government in Canadian cities in terms of urban governance. Give examples where
appropriate.

Answer 6

1. Give definition of governance.
2. Describe roles of federal, provincial, and municipal governments.
3. Discuss roles of regional governmentss and special purpose bodies.
4. Discuss relationships between levels of governments.
5. Discuss disentanglement process in Ontario as a specific example.

Question 7

Describe the disentanglement process in Ontario

Answer 7

• Historically contentious relationship between provincial + municipal gov’t in Ontario
• Relationship redefined since 80s (Disentanglement Process)
• Amalgamation (merging municipalities) and Downloading (delegatng funding and management of services to municipalities)
• Amalgamation justified as lowering taxes, reducing red tape, eliminating duplication, etc., but was met with wide protests
• Result is greater responsibility but less upper level gov’t funding for municipalities
• Municipalities remain subordinate to provincial governments, but recent place-based policy cases point to a strategy that could work in Canada (“strong cities” take on more responsibilities and innovate, whereas “weaker cities” receive more guidance

Question 8

Describe the role of regional governments in the context of urban governance

Answer 8

Aterial roads, transit, policing, sewer and water systems

e.g. Halton, Peel

Question 9

Describe the role of special purpose bodies in the context of urban governance

Answer 9

Admnister key specific functions of municipalities.

Some have right to raise revenue; governing body elected by general public (e.g. TDSB)

Some not (e.g. Police Services Board, Library Services Board)