Canada's Frayed Social Safety Net: The Role of Municipal Government – This research paper by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities focuses on the growing municipal role in filling the holes in Canada´s fraying social safety net.

Considering Social Inclusion - Ireland's Local Government Act of 2001 places an obligation on the local authority to consider social inclusion in the design and delivery of local services and to develop local strategies to address social inclusion. Learn how the County of Galway is responding by visiting their website here.

Enabling Environment for Community Work - Communities play a vital role in promoting resilience, but the wide-ranging interventions that communities can undertake does not minimize the need for a strong core of public goods and services. This paper describes the role of governments as exemplars and investors in support of well-being. Read the paper here. (en français) [Source: Caledon Institute of Social Policy]

A State of Disrepair - When municipal councillors fret over the crumbling roads, and antiquated water and sewer lines in our towns and cities, amid pressing demands for new and better infrastructure, their first job is unquestionable: get their financial houses in order. Read this commentary here. [Source: C.D. Howe Institute]

The Municipal Franchise & Social Inclusion - Dr. Myer Siemiatycki, Professor of Politics at Ryerson University and Director of the Graduate Program in Immigration and Settlement Studies, asks: Would extending the right to vote in civic elections – or municipal council and local school board positions – significantly advance democracy, civic participation and the prospects for more responsive public policy? Read the executive summary here and the full paper here. [Source: Inclusive Cities Canada]

Human Services Strategy Key to Prosperity - Rapid growth creates major challenges for municipalities, straining both physical and human services infrastructures. Large immigrant communities and an aging population have increased demands on growth management, a term that aptly captures the wide range of activities and processes governments at all levels must address. By introducing the Human Services Planning Coalition and a region-wide human services strategy, York Region has found a way to tackle these problems. Read this article here. [Source: Canadian Government Executive]

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