Browse Our Research
Presentation | 2016
Funding Democracy: Participatory Budgeting in Canada
Josh Lerner
Participatory budgeting gives the public the right to propose, deliberate, and vote on a part of the city budget. Does participatory budgeting actually improve democracy, transparency, and accountability, or is it simply another consultation tool in disguise?
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Video | 2016
Funding Democracy: Participatory Budgeting in Canada
Josh Lerner
This video features Josh Lerner, Director of the Participatory Budgeting Project, in conversation with Shelley Carroll, Alex Mazer, and Peter MacLeod.
Participatory budgeting gives the public the right to propose, deliberate, and vote on a part of the city budget. Does participatory budgeting actually improve democracy, transparency, and accountability, or is it simply another consultation tool in disguise?
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Perspectives Paper | 2016
Paying for Stormwater Management: What Are the Options?
Daniella Dávila Aquije
This paper evaluates the financial tools available to fund stormwater infrastructure (property taxes, development charges or cash-in-lieu payments, grants, borrowing, and user charges), and proposes user charges as the most appropriate.
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Presentation | 2016
When Debt Meets Public Approval: Municipal Bond Elections in San Antonio, Texas
Jacqueline Peterson
Municipal bonds are one way to raise money for long-term infrastructure investments. In several U.S states, bond approvals are put to a public referendum. This presentation looks at one such case in San Antonio, Texas.
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Video | 2016
Policymaking and the City: Joe Pennachetti in Conversation with Matt Galloway
Joe Pennachetti and Matt Galloway
In this video, former Toronto City Manager Joe Pennachetti was joined in conversation with Matt Galloway, host of CBC Radio 99.1 FM’s Metro Morning. With 35 years of municipal financial management experience, Mr. Pennachetti reflected on his career in the public service and share his thoughts on the challenges of policymaking for cities.
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Presentation | 2016
Detroit Past and Present: Can Regional Governance Restart the Motown Engine?
Zachary Lewsen
This presentation looks at how demographic and industrial shifts in recent decades have impacted equity in municipal service delivery across the Metro Detroit region. Could fiscal equalization narrow the gap between Detroit and its outer suburbs? More broadly, can regional governance help restart the Motown engine?
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Presentation | 2016
Local Governments in the 21st Century: What are the Funding Options?
Enid Slack
Enid Slack presents to the Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia on March 31, 2016.
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IMFG Paper | 2016
Can Tax Increment Financing Support Transportation Infrastructure Investment?
Murtaza Haider and Liam Donaldson
This report reviews tax increment financing (TIF) and land value capture (LVC), two alternative sources of revenue to support new infrastructure and development for which municipal funds are not readily available. It simulates a 30-year TIF implementation along the Sheppard East corridor in Toronto.
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Search Research Archive
Burlington Gazette: Analysis of Strong Mayor Powers
March 30, 2026
Toronto Star: Enid Slack on the Use of Reserve Funds in Toronto’s Proposed Budget
February 10, 2026
CBC New Brunswick: Aaron Moore on Unequal Assessment Freezes
February 10, 2026
