Local Government Program at Western University

11/09/2021

Wishing our 2020 & 2021 LGP Award Winners and Graduates a big congratulations! Best of luck as you move forward!

10/26/2021

It’s that time of year again! Applications for the MPA and the on-campus and online GDPA streams are now open. For more information visit: https://localgovernment.uwo.ca. Join us for a virtual info session on Friday, November 12th from 1-2pm. Please rsvp [email protected].

10/12/2021

Local Government Alumni Conference - Inspired by Community, Supported by Connections

No more talk of tough times. Let’s talk about what’s making local government innovative, resilient, and responsive! Our connections to our community – and each other – are propelling us forward as we seek out new ways to do the work of local government.

This year, as always, we have a fantastic lineup of industry experts to tackle the hottest topics in local government. Topics include:

• Keynote Speaker: Ashleigh Weeden, Rural Futurist
• 2022 Municipal Elections: Opportunities and Constraints
• 2022 Municipal Election Engagement
• Connecting with Your Community
• Connecting with Your Professional Peers
• City of Toronto and the Better Local Government Act

Click here to view the full lineup of speakers.

Although the 2021 conference will once again be virtual, we are aiming to host some small, local events the night before if COVID-19 restrictions allow.

Remember, this conference is not just for LGP alumni. Anyone working, or interested, in local government is welcome to attend. Please spread the word to colleagues in your organizations.

Local Government Alumni Conference - Inspired by Community, Supported by Connections Friday, November 5, 2021 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Zoom Webinar

10/07/2021

Western University, in vibrant London, Ontario, delivers an academic and student experience second to none.

10/06/2021

Western University’s Centre for Urban Policy and Local Governance is pleased to announce the launch of a new report by Professor Emeritus Andrew Sancton entitled Reassessing the Case for Development Charges in Canadian Municipalities.

We invite you to attend an on-line event to discuss the report and its implications on Monday, October 18 at 2pm. Prof. Sancton will briefly present his ideas, after which he will discuss them with the Centre’s Distinguished Research Practitioner John Fleming, who served for many years as the City of London’s chief planner.
To receive a secure link to attend this on-line event, please register here:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/launch-event-reassessing-the-case-for-development-charges-tickets-184893069147

On the basis that “growth should pay for growth,” municipalities levy development charges to cover the cost of new infrastructure. They are paid by property developers on completion of projects and most agree that they are passed on to new home buyers. They have been widely criticized for driving up housing prices in hot housing markets such as the Greater Toronto Area and Metro Vancouver. Indeed, development charges add as much as $90,000 to the cost of a new house in some parts of the GTA, adding to the housing unaffordability crisis.

In this report, Andrew Sancton outlines the history of development charges and shows that arguments commonly made in their favour rely on faulty assumptions. He goes on to examine how growth-related infrastructure is financed in other jurisdictions, including Quebec, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, indicating that other approaches exist. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/urbancentre-reports/8/

“Growth should pay for growth.” This slogan—the common justification for development charges—is rarely challenged in municipal circles. The principle that those who cause new urban growth should pay for the infrastructure associated with it has generally been taken for granted, at least for ...

03/21/2018

The Local Governance Seminar Series with Andrew Sancton has started.

Tune in live now!

"Towns without Municipal Governments: Representing Ontario 'Population Centres' on the World Wide Web" - Dr. Andrew Sancton

11/02/2017

Hey Alumni, last day to register for this year's conference is MONDAY! Link in bio.

10/06/2017

REMINDER: early bird pricing for the annual alumni conference ends Tuesday, October 10th!

10/02/2017

*but first* read the article by conference co-chairs Melissa Elizabeth and Spencer Sandor in Municipal World about the importance of education in local government.

09/30/2017

Registration for the 2017 Alumni conference is OPEN- check out the webpage for our amazing list of speakers and topics celebrating the program's 25th anniversary:

Inspiring and connecting more than a quarter of a million Western alumni who share a lifelong commitment, pride and passion for Western University.

03/31/2017

Our Local Governance Seminar Series for March 31, 2017 has started!

Prof. Carol Agocs joins us to talk about “Competing Models of Local Governance: A Toronto Case”

Please join us in person or join the livestream: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fJbqL2I8Jzo

02/06/2017

The next Local Governance Seminar Series is Friday, February 10, 2017 from 12:00pm-1:30pm in Room 4255 SSC.

Prof. Benoy Jacob joins us to talk about “Urban Leadership in the Era of Bottom up Federalism”

Please join us in person or join the livestream:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=600S2DkrHaU

Urban Leadership in the Era of Bottom up Federalism On February 10th, 2017 the next edition of the Local Governance Seminar Series will feature Professor Ben...