Amalgamation In Canada
Introduction
Amalgamation is the primary tool used by both Canadian provinces and municipalities to resolve rapid population increases and urban sprawl issues. However, it can simultaneously produce adverse economic, social and environmental consequences for the larger municipality. Amalgamation a very controversial topic, which is often promoted as the best tool to save money, promote equity, eliminate inter-municipal conflict and compete in a global market; while providing a solution to urban sprawl and fragmented municipal structure (Local Government in Canada, 2009, pg. 181). There is much debate and conflict in regards to the efficiency and effectiveness of amalgamation and the role of the provincial government. The following essay will …show more content…
Over the past two centuries, the common denominators of this change have always been driven by the needs of the local people, population growth and expansion. Rapidly population growth and density are caused by industry and people rushing to the major cities, thus causing land to become scarcer and more valuable, often driving up land speculation and causing local government boundaries and responsibilities to be blurred (L.G.C, pg. 70). Meanwhile, the rest of the rural country is experiencing slow growth rates, weak economic baselines and decreasing populations in an underdeveloped municipal government system (L.G.C, pg. 141).
These influences force the both the local and provincial government(s) to seek new innovative ways of solving issues this inequality created by the shifting dynamics of the population by working together to find unified solutions. The key purpose of amalgamation would suggest that by collectively restructuring into one larger municipality, it would generates savings, addresses urban sprawl issues, increases equity, eliminates inter-municipal conflict, increases ability to compete globally and reduces bureaucracy/staffing (L.G.C, pg. …show more content…
An indirect impact of amalgamation would be that, just because the municipality is larger, it does not necessarily make it better suited or more dedicated to solving urban sprawl issues (L.G.C, pg. 157). Often, large municipalities are simultaneously trying to address multiple social, economic and environmental issues and may not have to dedicated resources to address issues of urban sprawl until they become a contentious public issue.
Amalgamation is the primary tool used by both Canadian provinces and municipalities to resolve rapid population increases and urban sprawl issues. However, it can simultaneously produce adverse economic, social and environmental consequences for the larger municipality. Amalgamation a very controversial topic, which is often promoted as the best tool to save money, promote equity, eliminate inter-municipal conflict and compete in a global market; while providing a solution to urban sprawl and fragmented municipal structure (Local Government in Canada, 2009, pg. 181). There is much debate and conflict in regards to the efficiency and effectiveness of amalgamation and the role of the provincial government. The following essay will …show more content…
Over the past two centuries, the common denominators of this change have always been driven by the needs of the local people, population growth and expansion. Rapidly population growth and density are caused by industry and people rushing to the major cities, thus causing land to become scarcer and more valuable, often driving up land speculation and causing local government boundaries and responsibilities to be blurred (L.G.C, pg. 70). Meanwhile, the rest of the rural country is experiencing slow growth rates, weak economic baselines and decreasing populations in an underdeveloped municipal government system (L.G.C, pg. 141).
These influences force the both the local and provincial government(s) to seek new innovative ways of solving issues this inequality created by the shifting dynamics of the population by working together to find unified solutions. The key purpose of amalgamation would suggest that by collectively restructuring into one larger municipality, it would generates savings, addresses urban sprawl issues, increases equity, eliminates inter-municipal conflict, increases ability to compete globally and reduces bureaucracy/staffing (L.G.C, pg. …show more content…
An indirect impact of amalgamation would be that, just because the municipality is larger, it does not necessarily make it better suited or more dedicated to solving urban sprawl issues (L.G.C, pg. 157). Often, large municipalities are simultaneously trying to address multiple social, economic and environmental issues and may not have to dedicated resources to address issues of urban sprawl until they become a contentious public issue.