Decentralized spending and service quality at the Federal, Provincial, and Municipal Levels

3 minute read

By Samuel Wells and Sofia Chaudhry, IOG Research Interns

The IOG has undertaken two public sector research projects, both of which are nearing completion. These projects are intended to shed light on the functions of Canadian government at all levels, including how it is structured, where its funding is allocated, and how it conducts its business, which includes policy and service delivery. The IOG is excited to share its work in the coming weeks.

One of the research projects is a quantitative review of arm’s-length agencies in Canada or, as the IOG refers to them, “Distributed Governance Organizations” (DGOs). These organizations are characterized by operational and/or budgetary autonomy from an elected executive (i.e. minister), and the devolution of this authority to an appointed official or body. The term “DGO” encapsulates dozens of different types of organizations, ranging from national security agencies to hospitals and school boards. Using organizational expenditures as a proxy, the IOG has quantified the extent to which public governance in Canada is conducted through these DGOs, and compared the results to a previous internal study on data from the 2009-10 fiscal year. Below is a sample graph from the study:

The other research project that the IOG has undertaken is an analysis of the financial operations of each level of government in Canada, organized by the portfolios of responsibility that these levels have. Specifically, this report focuses on the relationship between the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the City of Toronto, identifying shortcomings within this structure that inhibit Toronto’s capacity to meet the needs of its residents. Municipal governments in Canada are by far the largest provider of public services, and their responsibilities are vast, diverse, and often a vital component to a well-functioning economy. An outline of all the services and policy functions that the City of Toronto is responsible for is demonstrated below:

Both of these research projects offer unique perspectives on public governance in Canada and can serve as a useful point of reference for government executives.

You May Also Be Interested In

IOG Featured Image
The Institute on Governance Welcomes Three New Board Members in 2024!

The IOG is excited to welcome Cassidy Caron, Janice Fischer,

Learn More
IOG Featured Image
IOG Supports Canada’s Parliamentary Internship Programme

The IOG is proud to be sponsoring the Parliamentary Internship

Learn More
IOG Featured Image
Science and Society are Inextricably Linked

For more than 75 years Canada, and other OECD member

Learn More
IOG Featured Image
The Passing of Elizabeth R

There was literally no one like her. Her Royal Majesty

Learn More
IOG Featured Image
NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO APPOINTED FOR INSTITUTE ON GOVERNANCE

Aurele Theriault, Chair of the Board of Directors of the

Learn More
IOG Featured Image
Future of Work – A Dispersed Workforce

This is our third post in our series on Future

Learn More
IOG Featured Image
We Need to Change Our Conversations on Societal Infrastructure – PART II

With contribution from IOG Fellow Dr. Sara Filbee. This article

Learn More
IOG Featured Image
Future of Work – Talent Retention & Trust

With guest contribution from David Scouler, Managing Director at CultureRx.

Learn More
IOG Featured Image
We Need to Change Our Conversations on Societal Infrastructure

With contribution from IOG Fellow Dr. Sara Filbee. We are

Learn More