The Regional Variation of Ontario Works: From the Perspective of Provincial-Municipal Relationship

Author

Ju Xue, Western University

Date of Award

7-1-2013

Degree Type

Major Research Paper

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration

Program

Political Science

Supervisor

Sancton, Andrew

Geographical Areas

Durham, Halton, Hamilton, London, Muskoka, Niagara, Ottawa, Sudbury, Toronto, Waterloo, Windsor, York

Abstract

This paper examines the regional variations of Ontario Works in the province using empirical studies of 12 municipalities: Durham, Halton, Hamilton, London, Muskoka, Niagara, Ottawa, Sudbury, Toronto, Waterloo, Windsor, and York. The findings reveal that the variation of Ontario Works in different municipalities is limited and the services provided to clients are similar across the entire province. Furthermore, in understanding why the provincial government still requires the involvement of municipalities in the program, despite it being consistent across Ontario, it concludes that the introduction of Ontario Works was accompanied by the province’s decentralization process and the fiscal retrenchment of provincial government in Ontario Works requires municipalities to have some autonomy.

Recommended Citation

Xue, Ju, "The Regional Variation of Ontario Works: From the Perspective of Provincial-Municipal Relationship" (2013). MPA Major Research Papers. 118.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/lgp-mrps/118