Year: 1980
Summary: Evaluates the impact of cost-saving innovations in Canadian municipalities, as well as factors which led to the success or failure of those innovations. Examines five case studies.
Year: 1979
Summary: Productivity and quality of working life are mutually reinforcing. This report examines experiences in both public and private sectors in the United States and Canada
Summary: Identifies various cost-saving innovations in municipalities in Canada, as well as other countries. Documents efforts at the local level to save money through the use of innovative management and/or technological changes.
Summary: Summarizes a seminar which explores the relationship between local government and the media, and public access to government-held information. Emphasis is placed on the importance of freedom of information in democratic societies.
Year: 1976
Summary: Analysis of how provincial budget cuts affected social services in Ontario municipalities and the lack of sufficient information to account for spending on these issues.
Summary: Examines the news media in Metro Toronto, and the extent to which it serves the public and influences decision-makers on municipal matters.
Summary: The roles, authority and limitations on municipal auditors in Ontario, including jurisdictional scan and political challenges.
Summary: Folder and programme from Bureau of Municipal Research Spring 1976 Conference on the media and local government. Discussion topics include the media's role and responsibilities in covering local government, local events, and how to improve the quality of local government news reporting.
Year: 1974
Summary: Study of citizen participation, with a focus on on citizen groups whose chief concern is local government decisions about the physical environment.
Year: 1972
Summary: Argues that the Harbourfront division of authority is archaic and in need of review in order to ensure that the population benefits from the waterfront.
Summary: Argues that many notices sent to city residents as though informing them of their rights and of planned action are in fact not clear, not helpful, and do not supply sufficient information.
Year: 1971
Summary: Examines the advantages and pitfalls of holding a referendum over development issues, using a case study from Kitchener as an example.
Year: 1970
Summary: Reviews causes of neighbourhood-city conflict, and examines how ratepayers and resident associations in the city interact with elected representatives. Argues for increased participation of neighbourhood groups in local policy making.
Year: 1968
Summary: Analysis of requests and approvals of conference attendance for city council members in light of public criticism of attending these conferences at the city's expense.
Year: 1960
Summary: Objection to the North York decision to appoint a board of control in light of too heavy a workload - the Bureau claims that an executive Committee would be enough and that a Board of Control takes away too much power from elected officials.
Year: 1950
Summary: A public address by Dr. W. A. Mackintosh about what the government should and shouldn't be doing in terms of responsibilities for services and infringement on the personal and economic freedoms of the residents.
Summary: Analysis of the use of the referendum in Canada.
Summary: Identifies structural implications of municipal reform and re-defining of municipalities in Ontario.
Year: 1949
Summary: Advocates for "full and frank treatment" of important civic business in order to keep the public engaged.
Year: 1947
Summary: Suggests the ability of citizens to influence government at the local level. Emphasizes the importance of active local representative instiutions.
Summary: Pointing to the legitimacy and authority problems that arise from the council members' hope to establish a municipal corporation.
Year: 1945
Summary: Text of lectures on the topic of importance of local government for democracy. Lecturers include Harold A. Innis, Professor J.A. Corry, and Horace L. Brittain.
Year: 1940
Summary: Suggests that city service departments should be coordinated under one commissioner, responsible to council - reducing the work of departmental purchasing, streamlining accounting, and making the use of personnel more economical.
Summary: Outlines the Bureau's mission statement, highlights press clippings, lists sample publications and outlines how to support the Bureau by becoming a subscriber.
Year: 1939
Summary: Highlights the need for increased efficiency in running the city's matters at wartime. Suggests a lack of planning for the future is wasteful, that council sessions frequently waste time, and are too dominated by the Board of Control. Suggests that candidates who run for city council are not of sufficient calibre, and that increasing term limits would remedy this issue.
Year: 1936
Summary: Outlines the Bureau's mission statement and achievements from 1914-1936. Brief summary of the Bureau's influence on policy as well as praise from Bureau publication subscribers.
Year: 1935
Summary: Outlines the structure of the city corporation. Highlights the need for more accountability and better efficiency and the important of more public engagement in the city's affairs.
Year: 1934
Summary: Need for accountability and more transparency in reporting on deficits.
Summary: Argues that city workers' salaries can be reduced in light of the increase on purchasing power with the Great Depression
Year: 1932
Summary: A reference guide to Toronto. Details local government, municipal services and community activities. Meant to inform local residents, as well as attract visitors and industry to the city of Toronto.