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32 results (showing 1-30)

  • Subject: Accountability
  • Subject: Authority
  • Subject: Democracy
  • Subject: Legitimacy
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The Public Interest And The Right To Know

Year: 1979

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.

Restraint Without Hardship: How Do We Know?

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.

The Role Of The Municipal Auditor In Ontario

Year: 1976

Summary: The roles, authority and limitations on municipal auditors in Ontario, including jurisdictional scan and political challenges.

On The Waterfront

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.

Municipal Gobbledegook

Year: 1972

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.

Redevelopment By Referendum

Year: 1971

Summary: Examines the advantages and pitfalls of holding a referendum over development issues, using a case study from Kitchener as an example.

The Scope Of Conference Attendance By City Of Toronto Officials

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.

BMR News Brief: North York May Need An Executive Committee But NOT A Board Of Control

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.

Government And Business

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.

Open Letter: Government By The People

Year: 1950

Summary: Analysis of the use of the referendum in Canada.

Open Letter: Abandon This Plan!

Year: 1950

Summary: Identifies structural implications of municipal reform and re-defining of municipalities in Ontario.

Open Letter: When Should Public Bodies Meet In Private?

Year: 1949

Summary: Advocates for "full and frank treatment" of important civic business in order to keep the public engaged.

Monthly Letter The Development Of Citizenship

Year: 1947

Summary: Suggests the ability of citizens to influence government at the local level. Emphasizes the importance of active local representative instiutions.

Monthly Letter To Men And Women: Why A City Corporation

Year: 1947

Summary: Pointing to the legitimacy and authority problems that arise from the council members' hope to establish a municipal corporation.

The Importance Of Local Government In A Democracy

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.

Civic Departmentalization Story No. 1

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.

In Peace In War Story Number 1. Does The Form Of Civic Organization Make Any Difference?

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.

The Municipal Corporation Of Toronto (Part 1.)

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.

Civic Reporting

Year: 1934

Summary: Need for accountability and more transparency in reporting on deficits.

Dollar Income And Real Income Are Not The Same Thing

Year: 1934

Summary: Argues that city workers' salaries can be reduced in light of the increase on purchasing power with the Great Depression

Municipal Reporting Story No.1

Year: 1930

Summary: Highlights the importance of municipal financial reporting for both policy-makers and citizens. Traces the development of municipal financial reporting in Toronto over the decades. Stresses a need for annual report on civic expenditures to be made available to the general public.

Business Is Business Story No. 2

Year: 1929

Summary: A detailed description of the organizational structure of the municipal government. Highlights the need for city planning and centralized purchasing for better efficiency.

Business Is Business

Year: 1929

Summary: Municipal corporations must run more efficiently, more like businesses and with a central organization.

Open Letter

Year: 1926

Summary: Highlights the need for careful review of all civic services to ensure efficiency before reaching decisions about salaries and benefits for city workers.

Second Open Letter To The Taxpayers Of Toronto Re The Danger Of Patronage In The Civic Service

Year: 1925

Summary: An open letter highlighting a specific case of patronage and possible misconduct in city appointments - in which the Control Board attempted to appoint a man and his wife to city positions without listing their qualifications for the positions.

The City's Credit

Year: 1925

Summary: Urges citizen vigilance in monitoring expenditures which may put the city's credit as risk, which could in turn increase taxation. Reminds citizens to vote, and to keep credit and expenditure issues in mind when voting.

Open Letter To The Citizens And Taxpayers Re The Danger Of Patronage In The Civic Service

Year: 1925

Summary: In this publication, the Bureau argues that vacant positions in the civic service must be filled based on merit and not patronage or politics.

Most People Do Not Go To The Physician Until They Are Actually Ill.

Year: 1925

Summary: Comparative analysis and recommendations for curing the illness of the Toronto municipal system, including changing term length, abolishing the ward system, reducing city council size, increasing efficiency.

Effective Voting Story No. 4 - The Hare System Of Proportional Representation Or The Transferable Vote

Year: 1919

Summary: Describes the theory of proportional representation, how it works in practice, characteristics, main objections, where this method of voting is used, and if it could be applied in Toronto.

If Accounts Are Worth Keeping, They Are Worth Keeping Well

Year: 1916

Summary: Accurate accounting practices will provide a basis for effective vigilance in public schools. Based on the City Auditor's Report on Public School Accounting.

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