Amalgamation in The Local Government in Canada - Essay Example

? Amalgamation in The Local Government in Canada The current local government in Canada is as a result of a lengthy evolution process that took place several years in the past. It has been observed that many of the existing governments in several countries were established before Confederation. Most of them posses features that although suitable at one time in history, have become increasingly inappropriate as time passed. For instance, the early municipal government in Canada was established while the country was being settled. With time, the population began to require regulations and services, which resulted to several changes within the government. Local Government in Canada The biggest issue of controversy among politicians and municipal administrators is whether or not municipals should be amalgamated into larger ones or should be left on their own devices. Municipal government refers to a local government that is created to provide services that are handled under a local control. The link between administration and policy making is supplied in municipal governments by a committee or a council. The number of committees that the municipal government creates depends on local priorities and circumstances (Emmanuel and Martin, 2010). Canada has a federal system of governance, where responsibilities are divided between national or federal government and territorial and provincial governments. This paper shall focus on amalgamation of the local government in Canada and take a position of on the benefits and costs of the amalgamation at the municipal level for the citizens, as well as the politicians and administrators who are directly affected. The division of powers evident in the Canada Government was set out in 1867 by the British North America Act (BNA Act). “One idea that all politicians of different stripes agree upon is that a bigger municipal government is better than a smaller one.” (Drollery and Robotti, 2008). Provincial governments in Canada are actively promoting municipal amalgamations with the argument that the overall costs per capita for the citizens and taxpayers are lower while at the same time, there are larger urban government units. In the late 1990’s, there was a decision to end was perceived as a duplication of services to the citizens and excess expenses of the municipalities that operated in Toronto. Studies were carried out that proved that Toronto would provide better services to its citizens while saving tax payers’ money. There were initially six municipalities, each with a single fire chief, but after the amalgamation, the result was one fire chief instead. The merger observed in Toronto had been proposed as a cost-saving measure. By the year 2000, the goal was attained when it was observed that the city had saved 136.2 million dollars per year resulting from the amalgamation. Several other municipalities were amalgamated, though with opposition from some critics. The opposition was, however, widely experienced in Toronto. Data carried out within the city showed that the majority of the citizens were against amalgamation. However, three years later, data from an interview carried out within the residents showed that majority of the citizens were satisfied with the newly amalgamated government (Emmanuel and Martin, 2010). Some of the benefits accrued to amalgamation at the municipal level for the citizens of Canada include reducing the number of officials elected and reduce duplication. Reducing the number of elected officials implies that tax payers’ money shall be put into a better use. This resulted to the government offering better services to its citizens. Cost was significantly reduced with amalgamation. At the same time, efficiency was streamlined and improved significantly. This was an advantage to the citizens since they experienced efficient services and transparent expenditure of the public money. Accountability was also improved. This is because it was evident to the citizens in what manner their money was spent. This resulted to a reduction in questioning and doubts from the citizens (Emmanuel and Martin, 2010). With respect to elimination of duplication, the newly formed city integrated management structures of the previous organizations. This resulted to a reduction of 34% in management in the already amalgamated structures. As a result of this reduction in management of structures, certain efficiencies have been achieved. One of the primary areas that have benefited from reduction of duplication is through the integration of technological systems. These systems have been supplied in all the management departments, an act that was previously impossible. However, the most noteworthy gains are only achievable through streamlining and reviewing all business processes and practices. Businesses have experienced significant developments as a result of the amalgamation, which is accompanied by huge labor relations issues. With respect to improvements in accountability, amalgamation has shrunk confusion and ambiguity surrounding the responsibilities of the government officials. There is no more confusion within the citizens on who to contact at different situations. Moreover, the issue of accountability extends to relations between Toronto as a city and the entire province. These include areas such as public health, social services, and the police. The advantages discussed above are not the only that are evident as a result of amalgamation in Canada. More goals were achieved within the city. One of the most significant impacts was that the city improved in its quality of life such as social, economic, physical, and environmental. With the reduction it tax, the money is channeled to other activities such as businesses. As a result, businesses expand and the general quality of life improves immensely. A city is in a position to embrace the marginalized within the society. These include the old, the young, the poor, and the minorities (Drollery and Robotti, 2008). This is because expense is reduced greatly with amalgamation. Therefore, all citizens can afford the quality of life offered within the city. Additionally, amalgamation results to a city in which all residents have an equal access to the municipal services at a specifically defined standard. Moreover, differences in services should be in relation to geographic considerations or explicit socio-economic considerations rather than financial capacity or historic precedent. It has often been argued that as a result of amalgamation, there exists an economic framework that is based on a market economy. Drollery and Robotti (2008) depicts that, “This argument holds that people are free to work within the market economy and benefit from the system that is dictated by the laws of supply and demand”. In this respect, the government has no effect on the location of resources. With the involvement of government in the Canada’s economy during the post war period, Canada was characterized as possessing a mixed economy rather than a purely market economy. There have, however, been tremendous changes over the past decades as far as market forces in Canada are concerned. These changes have been as a result of a swing to the right in apolitical ideology, which calls for a decreased role for the government and much to be admired in the operations of the private sector (Drollery and Robotti, 2008). Public debt problems and a growing deficit at the provincial levels and the federal government during the 1990’s have also encouraged the scaling back of government operations in the market. In addition to this, international economic development, which is associated with the global economy emphasized market forces, and led to a reduction in the government’s role in the market. Though to the common citizens amalgamation has positive impacts, to the administrators and politicians who are directly affected, the effect may be negative (Drollery and Robotti, 2008). This is because as a result of reducing the size of a municipal, several politician and administrators lose their jobs. In conclusion, it is possible for one to predict the future of Canada. As far as the municipal government reorganization in Canada is concerned, it is debatable that the citizens shall continue enjoying good services form the government. The entire economy of Canada is expected to improve immensely. References Drollery, B. and Robotti, L. (2008). The theory and practice of local government reform. New York: Edward Elgar Publishing. Emmanuel, B. and Martin, J. (2010). Local Government in a Global World: Australia and Canada in Comparative Perspective. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Read More