Title

A Matter of Size: An Investigation Into How the Size of Municipality Impacts What It Values in a Municipal Association

Author

Neale Carbert, Western University

Date of Award

7-1-2015

Degree Type

Major Research Paper

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration

Program

Political Science

Supervisor

Young, Robert

Geographical Areas

Ontario

Abstract

This paper examines whether municipalities of different sizes behave in municipal associations in different ways and, more specifically, it investigates how municipalities in Ontario value and interact with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). The data and conclusions presented are based on a series of qualitative interviews with elected officials and city staff of a small municipality and a large municipality that both hold membership in the AMO. The findings reveal that the size of a municipality does in fact affect what it will value in a municipal association. The limited budget and capacity of small municipal governments leads them to use cost-saving services through AMO and allows them to be connected with an organization that will lobby on their behalf, while a large municipality will use the association to support their own advocacy efforts and will use networks of member municipalities to develop internal policy.

Recommended Citation

Carbert, Neale, "A Matter of Size: An Investigation Into How the Size of Municipality Impacts What It Values in a Municipal Association" (2015). MPA Major Research Papers. 140.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/lgp-mrps/140