Lecture 2 - Institutions: Local Government History

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What is the main difference between the "Baldwin Act" model of municipal governance and the "Vancouver Model"?

  • "Vancouver Model" municipalities are generally more autonomous compared to those governed by the "Baldwin Act" model.
  • "Baldwin Act Model" dictates a more centralized model of governance while "Vancouver Model" allows for greater local autonomy.
  • "Baldwin Act Model" governs the majority of municipalities in a province while the "Vancouver Model" has a province specific law. (correct)
  • "Vancouver Model" prioritizes democratic institutions autonomy while the "Baldwin Act" model emphasizes policy autonomy.

Which of these examples demonstrate the concept of 'Municipal Autonomy'?

  • Province is exercising power, not the city.
  • City council decides on how to use funding, not the autonomy to obtain it.
  • This demonstrates the role of the mayor, not autonomy of the city.
  • This shows policy autonomy, city making its own rules ( as specified in the content). (correct)

What is the primary dimension of autonomy that municipal leaders prioritize most, according to the content?

  • Democratic Institutions Autonomy
  • Policy Autonomy (correct)
  • Governance Autonomy
  • Fiscal Autonomy

How does the content describe the relationship between municipal governments and the provincial governments?

<p>Municipal governments are considered &quot;creatures of the province&quot; and have a limited scope of autonomy. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of a municipality that has "weak" mayor powers?

<p>The mayor primarily acts as a spokesperson for the municipality and has limited formal power over the council. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of the "dimensions of local authority" described in the content?

<p>The level of control a municipality has over its funding and policy decisions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following examples illustrates the concept of "fiscal autonomy"?

<p>A city council developing a new tax on hotel rooms to generate additional revenue for city services. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of a province reducing the number of wards in a municipality?

<p>Reduced political influence of local interest groups in the municipality. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of creating a water commission as described in the content?

<p>To hire experts to run water independently (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes a potential consequence of fragmentation of authority?

<p>Challenges in coordinating multi-level governance (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'counterfactual' refer to in causal inference?

<p>A hypothetical scenario differing from actual events (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a core piece of causal inference?

<p>Effect size calculation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of using randomization in experiments for causal inference?

<p>It creates conditions for ceteris paribus analysis (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of municipal elections, what is meant by 'average treatment effect'?

<p>The average difference in vote share between treated and control groups (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one historical reason local governments were viewed as dangerous in the early colonial period?

<p>They were appointed by the Crown. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential effect of electing more women in policy outcomes?

<p>Widened scope of policy discussions and priorities (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is implied about the role of councillors with respect to ward boundaries?

<p>Councillors should not be the ones determining boundaries directly (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which significant change occurred in the political landscape of the USA by the 1830s regarding local governments?

<p>Greater liberty was allowed for local governance. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines a municipality as a 'corporation' in law?

<p>It has the capacity to sue and be sued. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key legal powers that municipalities have as corporations?

<p>Power to issue rules and regulations binding on members. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Since 1867, what has been the constitutional responsibility of provincial governments in relation to municipalities?

<p>They oversee the governance of municipalities. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence of the introduction of the Baldwin Act model for municipal governance?

<p>It defined how municipalities could operate as corporations. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant feature distinguishes municipal corporations from other types of organizations?

<p>They have perpetual succession. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary difference in municipal governance between the Baldwin Act model and the Vancouver model?

<p>The Vancouver model permits more local autonomy. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary feature of the Strong Mayor concept in Canada?

<p>Focus on provincial priorities like housing (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which power does the Mayor NOT possess in relation to council decisions?

<p>Dismiss council members at will (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In terms of service delivery, how does a city typically provide some services?

<p>Through in-house departments and special boards (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of advisory boards and commissions in municipal governance?

<p>To provide a non-political perspective and incorporate diverse voices (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the relationship between the Mayor and council is accurate?

<p>The Mayor has the ability to create council committees with legislative approval. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What limitation does a Mayor face in the context of municipal governance in Canada?

<p>They cannot create or manage city infrastructure projects unilaterally. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the municipal governance framework address fragmentation of authority?

<p>Through multi-level governance and the establishment of various boards (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does the Minister play in relation to the Mayor’s authority?

<p>The Minister can add priorities that enable the Mayor to act under legislative approval. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Municipal Government

Local governments responsible for governing specific communities or cities.

Historical Development of Municipalities

The evolution of local governments from colonial rule to independent governance.

Municipality as a Corporation

A municipality operates legally like a corporation with certain rights and responsibilities.

Perpetual Succession

The ability of a corporation to continue existing despite changes in ownership.

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Capacity to Sue and Be Sued

A corporation can initiate or be involved in legal proceedings.

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Common Seal

A unique emblem that a corporation uses to validate documents.

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Power to Issue Bylaws

Local governments have authority to create regulations that members must follow.

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Baldwin Act Model

An approach to municipal governance emphasizing local autonomy post-1867.

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Baldwin Act

Legislation from 1848 defining municipal governance in Ontario.

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Municipal Autonomy

The ability of municipal governments to act independently.

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Fiscal Autonomy

Flexibility for municipalities to determine their revenue sources.

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Policy Autonomy

Scope of law-making power for municipalities in policy areas.

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Democratic Institutions Autonomy

Extent of municipal control over its democratic structure.

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Weak Mayor System

A governance system where the mayor has limited power relative to councils.

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Municipal Revenue Sources

Various taxes through which municipalities generate funds.

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Dimensions of Local Authority

Various factors influencing local government control and power.

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Strong Mayor

A mayor with enhanced powers to influence council decisions and provincial priorities.

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Council-Administration Relationship

The dynamic between city council and the administration, affecting policy execution.

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ABCs

Agencies, boards, and commissions that manage specific city functions or services.

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Service Delivery Models

Different methods used for providing municipal services, including in-house or outsourced.

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Budget Initiation

The process by which the mayor can start the budget cycle and prioritize spending.

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Veto Powers

The authority of the mayor to reject specific council decisions, typically regarding provincial priorities.

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Ward Boundary Conditions

Regulations that prevent councillors from determining boundary lines of their wards.

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Community Representation

Incorporating diverse voices in non-political municipal bodies for advisory purposes.

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Enmax Board

Board of Directors appointed by the City of Calgary, which is the sole shareholder.

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Multi-level Governance

A system where different levels of government share authority over policy areas.

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Counterfactual

Consideration of what would happen under alternative scenarios.

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Causal Inference

The process of determining the cause-and-effect relationship between variables.

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Randomized Controlled Trial

An experiment where participants are randomly assigned to different groups to analyze effects.

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Average Treatment Effect

The difference in outcomes between a group receiving treatment and a control group.

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Policy Outcomes

Results or effects that follow from the implementation of a policy.

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Door-Knocking Experiment

A research method to assess the effect of personal outreach on election outcomes.

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Study Notes

Lecture 2 - Institutions

  • Focus: Municipal government, institutional approaches, and participation in urban areas.
  • Unit test #1 in two weeks.
  • American revolution's impact on local government. Colonial administrators were appointed by the Crown.
  • Colonies revolutionized to gain independence. (Causes included a feeling of under-representation from the lack of involvement with colonial administrators).
  • Late 1700s, incorporating local administration was not essential for Loyal British subjects to be effectively represented.
  • By 1830s, politics in the USA allowed for more freedom, particularly for loyal British subjects.
  • Durham report required local governance to be established in Montreal and Quebec.
  • Result: Cities received permission to incorporate as local governments in 1840s-1850s.

Legacies of Historical Development

  • Corporation in law: a perpetual succession, capacity to sue/be sued, ability to own land were crucial components of the corporation.
  • Historical documents allow for efficient corporate activity by providing corporation with unique legal standing and identity.

Municipal "Autonomy" and "Creatures of the Province"

  • Municipal governments have the power to act independently within their provincial statues (framework).
  • Fiscal Autonomy: Flexibility of cities to decide their funding sources (e.g., property taxes).
  • Policy autonomy: areas for creating laws, regulating things like height limitations or animals.
  • Democracy institutions autonomy (subset): Local governments govern their own.
  • Example: Property Taxes (heavy reliance on property taxes), taxes on sales (ex: hotels, billboards).

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