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MPA Major Research Papers

From 1990 until 2023, all Western Master of Public Administration students completed a faculty-supervised Major Research Paper. Starting in 2024, students complete a Research Report that is not individually supervised.

At the time of submission, students may opt to publicly release their papers. This series contains all publicly available papers completed since 1990.

The program does not endorse the content of these papers which are the independent research of the students. The papers are owned by the authors and posted here with their permission.

If you are the author of an MPA research paper and would like to have that paper removed from this database please contact .

Major Research Papers from 2022 2022

Conditional Grants in Ontario: A Case Study of the Municipal Modernization Program, Elizabeth Reimer

“Analysing the Gap” If and What is Causing the Gap in Voter Turn Out Between National and Local Elections, Max Rubin

Accountability: A Canadian municipal examination on the impact of vehicle and equipment training programs on preventable collisions with municipal fleet assets, Jessica Ruddell

Major Research Papers from 2021 2021

An Analysis of a Canadian Framework of Police Response’s on Sexual Assaults: Victim Advocate Case Review Program, Ardiana Berisha

Recruiting Gen Z Workers to Ontario Municipalities: A Study of How Ontario Municipalities Can Improve Recruitment Strategies to Attract Gen Z Workers, Kaitlin Bos

Municipal Property Taxation in Law and Practice: A descriptive comparative study between Alberta and Ontario, Arben Buzuku

Maximizing Electoral Participation: How Accessibility and Outreach Factors Impact Electoral Participation in Online Elections, Christopher Casale

What is the Best Leadership Style to Confront Anti-Black Racism and Advance Racial Equity in Transit Organizations?, André Darmanin

The Financial and Environmental Viability of Municipally Operated Hybrid Ambulance Fleets in Ontario: Calculating the Return-on-Investment of Hybrid Ambulance Assets in Oxford County from 2017-2021, Stephen Edwards

Bracing for Impact: A Review of Ontario Municipalities’ Budgeting & Alignment to Asset Management, Jonathon Graham

Strategic Management in Ontario Regional Government: Evaluating the Factors for Successful Policy Implementation for Intensification and Infrastructure Investment, Valerie Hendry

Accountability: Understanding the effect of governance structures on land ambulance services in Ontario, connected by Consolidated Municipal Services Management (CMSM) agreements, Michael Longeway

The impact of COVID-19 on library board governance: An analysis of public library board meeting processes and participation in Canada in 2020, Sarah Macintyre

Monitoring & Evaluation Content in Municipal Official Plans: An Assessment of Plan Quality & Implementation Actions, Owen McCabe

Political Practice: The Career Mobility and Ambitions of Local Councillors, Rachel Nauta

Watching But Unseen? An Evaluation of the Transparency of the Online Presence of Integrity Commissioners in Ontario, Kirby Oudekerk

Does long term strategic planning lead to improved financial performance? A case study in Ontario municipalities, Renato Pullia

Examining Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) Policy in Ontario: A Modified Multiple Streams Framework Analysis, James Scott

Determinants of Success: the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority, Michaela Sferrazza

Alternative Revenue Generation in Ontario Municipalities: The Utilization of Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT), Hayley Watts

Aging in Place in Rural Canada: A Policy Analysis of Aging in Place Across Canada, Aleah Whalen

Major Research Papers from 2020 2020

Streamlining Information Technology Services in Local Government, Michael Ben

Corporate Structures in Transit: Comparing the Development of Intermunicipal Transit in British Columbia and Ontario and Why Ontario Should Consider Reform, Luke Charlton

Addressing Water Security Through First Nations-Municipal Cooperation, Corrine Codina

Canadian mayors respond to Tent Cities: The old bums rush or a new script for homeless populations?, Dani Coffey