Fields of Governance: Policy Making in Canadian Municipalities

A study of the structure, dynamics, and quality of Canadian emergency management.

Exploring the conflict-ridden intergovernmental relations regarding federal land uses.

How cities use image-building to define themselves to the world.

A rare glimpse into the world of public policy making in Canada's major cities.

The majority of Aboriginal people in Canada - First Nations, Inuit, and Métis - live in urban areas. Public policy making concerning urban Aboriginal people is, however, complex, complicated by geographic variation, and varies greatly in both quality and quantity from municipality to municipality. The responsibilities of different levels of government are hotly debated, and there is competition between Aboriginal organizations. In Urban Aboriginal Policy Making in Canadian Municipalities leading authorities interview both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal leaders, report on research done in a large variety of municipalities, and assess the quality of urban Aboriginal policy in Canada.

Canada has, by most accounts, one of the most successful immigration programs in the world, a function of the policies, programs, and services that assist newcomers. Immigrant settlement is a crucial policy field that involves governments, communities, and a range of social forces. Constitutionally, immigration matters are an area of shared jurisdiction, but the federal government has long been the dominant player. Provinces and municipalities, however, are now pushing for an expanded policy role, increased resources, and governance arrangements that recognize the important part they play in immigrant settlement.