Remembering equal opportunity: clearing the undergrowth in New Brunswick

Article Abstract:

Two decades ago, the New Brunswick government began implementing the Equal Opportunity program, a sweeping reform of provincial-municipal relations. It abolished the elected county governments, centralized some important functions at the provincial level, and instituted equalization in municipal financing. Here it is argued that the EO program had redistributive aspects which were crucial in selling it politically. The drive toward efficiency, however, was more fundamental. Centralized, uniform administration was to produce static gains and also dynamic ones, as obstacles to economic growth were eliminated. Finally, the provincial government' capacity to plan and accelerate development was enhanced, so EO had great political implications. Not only did it increase the stakes of political participation at the centre, but it also promised citizens more control over policy than had existed when neither level of government could act decisively. This internal reform had exogenous causes. New economic challenges were sensed in New Brunswick as in other provinces which essayed structural reform in order to manage them. Particularly important in New Brunswick were federal government initiatives framed as shared-cost programs, which demanded a coherent provincial response. But it took brave leadership to push reform so far, so creatively. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Administrative agencies, New Brunswick, Public administration, Government reorganizations

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An approach to studying local government autonomy: the Ontario experience

Article Abstract:

This study examines the issue of local government autonomy through the study of municipal policy-making. After a brief review of the debate over local autonomy, local government policies are grouped into four categories - developmental, allocative, redistributive and constitutional. The evidence examined derives from Ontario during the period from 1968 to 1988. Some increase in autonomy is found in the last three categories but not in that of developmental policy. The fundamental sources of municipal autonomy are found in the politicization of issues at the local level and in the behaviour of the provincial government, which may or may not see benefits to be derived from changes in local autonomy. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Local government, Ontario

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