Preface

T he perspective taken in this book is somewhat at odds with the conventional textbook portrayal of Canadian local politics.Emphasis here is not placed primarily on the largest cities with the densest population concentrations.Rather, these cities share equal time with small and mid-sized places scattered across the country.Attention is given to physical factors that, while frequently overlooked in political studies, are relevant to any study of influence and power between, and within, communities.This work also examines the fluid and interdependent relationships between many governments, organizations, and interests as well as their cultural, communications, and physical contexts.The aim is to highlight the ways in which such interactions might affect local decision-making processes.This text does not confine itself solely to the study of how governments alone operate and make political decisions; rather, it addresses how politics is influenced by the broader system of governance, including both formal and informal players.The following chapters consider a variety of political factors and actors that shape local communities.Different conceptual lenses are employed -from the conventional, institutionally focused analyses to broader, holistic perspectives.By tackling the project in this way, we can discuss the many ways in which power and influence are brought to bear on political decision making as well as consider who benefits.The book is divided into five parts, each dealing with a different conceptual lens or perspective through which one might examine the question of local governance.Part 1, "Local Democracy, a Contested Notion," considers the ideological underpinnings of local institutions and changing notions about what constitutes local democracy.It also discusses the varying ways in which different political actors use the term local democracy to advance their own particular perspectives about how a democratic society should operate.Finally, this section explores the relative ability of different societal groups to actively participate in local governance.Part 2, "Shifting Responsibilities: Intergovernmental Relations," outlines the historic and contemporary relationships between the different orders of government in Canada's federal system.Most notably, it details the attempts of local governments to achieve sufficient influence and resources from the provincial and federal governments in order to respond to growing citizen demands and pressures.

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