Local and Urban Politics

E17 - Policy and Governance in Canada's Cities

Date: Jun 1 | Time: 10:30am to 12:00pm | Location: Classroom - CL 407 Room ID:15738

Chair/Président/Présidente : Elizabeth Schwartz (University of Saskatchewan)

Discussant/Commentateur/Commentatrice : Elizabeth Schwartz (University of Saskatchewan)

Robert Baldwin and Responsible Local Government in Canada: David Siegel (Brock University)
Abstract: Robert Baldwin and Responsible Local Government in Canada by David Siegel Department of Political Science Brock University Contact: dsiegel@brocku.ca Students of local government are taught about the importance of the Baldwin Act of 1849 as the genesis of responsible local government in Canada. Much is known about Robert Baldwin as a radical reformer and the role he played in pre-Confederation government in Upper Canada and the Union of 1841. However, less is known about Baldwin’s motivation in bringing forth this legislation and the circumstances surrounding its approval by the Legislature. This paper will examine the life and times of Robert Baldwin, which are well-documented, with particular emphasis on his interest in local government, which is much less-discussed beyond the obvious connection to the legislation bearing his name. Since the Baldwin Act of 1849 is considered the foundation of responsible local government across the country, a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding its passage will give us a better understanding of how local government has developed.

“Why Local Governments?” An Ongoing Debate in New Brunswick: Michelle Landry (Université de Moncton, Campus de Shippagan), Julie Guillemot (Université de Moncton, Campus de Shippagan)
Abstract: This paper will examine obstacles and resistance regarding municipalization of one third of the population living in non-incorporated communities in New Brunswick. These communities do not have a local government and are left to themselves in terms of basic management of community life and development. Services such as waste management, road maintenance and snow removal are provided by regional commissions or by the provincial government. In 2005, a regulation was adopted to allow non-incorporated communities to band together or merge with a village to convert in a “rural community”, a form of municipality that does not have to maintain roads. Since then, only 24 local referendums were organized and only 7 rural communities were established. Referendums on municipalization are a divisive experiment for many communities. The case of New Brunswick thus offers the opportunity to confront knowledge constructed upon typical local governance situations to the fear and aspirations of people who have to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of acquiring such an institution. In this paper, we will explain the historical reasons of such a territorial organization and present a descriptive data analysis of the population living in unincorporated and incorporated areas in terms of rurality and mother tongue. We will then discuss interview results conducted in 4 communities: 2 French and 2 English of which one voted in favour and the other voted against becoming a “rural community”. These results will be discussed in the light of existing literature on municipal amalgamations which outlines interesting differences and similarities.

924.Landry.Guillemot.pdf