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This dissertation is a study of the public policy-making process, the role of ideas and relationships in this process, and their effect on social economy enterprises, in particular co-operatives. It is concerned with a central problem in all social economy organizations today: understanding the impact of public policy on funding, decision-making and strategy. The relationship between Saskatchewans co-operative Community Clinics and the provincial government is of particular interest. In spite of a seeming congruence between the goals of the Community Clinics and the government, the Clinics have not been allowed to play a significant role in reforming the delivery of health care services in the province.<p> The dissertation draws on models and concepts from the literatures on businessgovernment relations, public policy and the policy-making process, the role of ideas and ideology in public policy, the social economy and public policy, and governmentco-operative relations. A case study of the Community Clinics is elaborated through key informant interviews and supported by examination of primary and secondary literature.<p> This research shows that the Community Clinics are unique organizations and that a new understanding can be developed if the Clinics are viewed as hybrids some combination of co-operative, public, and perhaps even private organizations. The ambiguity in the relationship arises at least in part from the differing and conflicting ways that the Community Clinics have been conceptualized by the politicians, government officials, the health regions, and even the Clinics themselves. The research also shows that the dominant idea at play in the health care policy domain in Saskatchewan remains that of private medical practice, with fee-for-service remuneration, and that the conditions necessary for a major policy change with respect to the role of the Community Clinics do not exist.

This thesis is a biography of Walter Scott, first Premier of Saskatchewan. He was a populist and had a vision for the new province, the fastest growing province in the Dominion. Agricultural and educational institutions were created to serve this growing population. Walter Scott combined his ability to collect strong people around him with his talent to sense the public mood. Scott was a newspaperman, entrepreneur, land speculator, and distributor of federal Liberal patronage in the North-West before being elected to the House of Commons in 1900. By 1905, Scott became leader of the Saskatchewan Liberal Party and Premier. Contrary to currently held beliefs, this thesis argues that the four months between when Scott became Premier and the first election, the government was neither restructured nor was it rife with patronage. This was a time for campaigning. The political machine was built much later. After the 1905 election, the Scott government embarked on a program to build the new province's infrastructuresuch as the Legislative Building and the University of Saskatchewan. For Scott and his government, agriculture was the vital component in the fabric of Saskatchewan life. By including farm leadership in cabinet and creating a political climate founded on agriculture, Walter Scott built a power base that withstood the United Farmers' Movement that unseated governments in neighbouring provinces. During the First World War, which created a climate of social change in Saskatchewan, the Scott Government banned the bar and established female suffrage. This thesis also examines when Walter Scott first exhibited signs of mental illness. His health became a primary focus as he searched for a cure for depression. It will be argued that it was the battle with Rev. Murdock MacKinnon over minority rights in the school system that brought Scott's mental health to the point that he had to resign. After his death, the memory of Walter Scott faded. Yet his legacy of democracy, education and agriculture continue until today. The fruits of Walter Scott's labours continue to be harvested in Saskatchewan but few remember who planted the original seeds.

This dissertation is a study of the public policy-making process, the role of ideas and relationships in this process, and their effect on social economy enterprises, in particular co-operatives. It is concerned with a central problem in all social economy organizations today: understanding the impact of public policy on funding, decision-making and strategy. The relationship between Saskatchewans co-operative Community Clinics and the provincial government is of particular interest. In spite of a seeming congruence between the goals of the Community Clinics and the government, the Clinics have not been allowed to play a significant role in reforming the delivery of health care services in the province.<p> The dissertation draws on models and concepts from the literatures on businessgovernment relations, public policy and the policy-making process, the role of ideas and ideology in public policy, the social economy and public policy, and governmentco-operative relations. A case study of the Community Clinics is elaborated through key informant interviews and supported by examination of primary and secondary literature.<p> This research shows that the Community Clinics are unique organizations and that a new understanding can be developed if the Clinics are viewed as hybrids some combination of co-operative, public, and perhaps even private organizations. The ambiguity in the relationship arises at least in part from the differing and conflicting ways that the Community Clinics have been conceptualized by the politicians, government officials, the health regions, and even the Clinics themselves. The research also shows that the dominant idea at play in the health care policy domain in Saskatchewan remains that of private medical practice, with fee-for-service remuneration, and that the conditions necessary for a major policy change with respect to the role of the Community Clinics do not exist.

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The purpose of this thesis is to examine a new approach to planning as advocated by Ron Clark, the Director of Planning in Regina from 1976 to 1980. Compared to the traditional planning role, Clark outlined an activist orientation to planning based on the following five strategies. It was short term and issue oriented as opposed to "master" planning, policy planning versus reactive and regulatory planning, public participation rather than planning for private interests, and political intervention instead of a passive and non-controversial role. The study reviews the relevant literature to develop a theoretical perspective on the urban planner's role. The traditional approach to planning, the rational comprehensive model, is examined along with two basic reforms to this model in order to contrast the planning style advocated by Clark. Next, theoretical concerns regarding each of Clark's strategies are outlined. A case study of the inner city is the basis for analyzing the extent to which these strategies were put into practice. In addition, the formulation of Regina RSVP, a municipal development plan for the City, is examined to ascertain the extent of public input as the latter strategy was to be a major feature of planning in Regina. The study concludes that Clark was successful in introducing a new planning process to Regina. This was reflected in city council's support of Regina RSVP. Rather than being a traditional land use plan, RSVP documents presented a strategy for public planning, described major and emerging issues confronting the City, and offered policy objectives for resolving these issues. In the process, a model for the future development of Regina emerged. The case study on inner city planning clearly showed that Regina planners were successful in implementing their strategies. Planning staff and community groups identified pressing inner city problems, short term action was taken, planning was policy oriented, there was a considerable amount of community level participation, and Regina planners were activists in terms of both initiating action and lobbying for the implementation of planning goals. However, the study also found some limitations in the application of these strategies. With respect to Regina RSVP, public participation was not initiated at an early stage of the planning process. There was a lack of documented evidence on many inner city problems or research on viable growth alternatives. Lastly, the strategies of political intervention and public participation create potential role conflicts as to who should initiate planning goals. Two external constraints which reduced the effective application of these strategies also became apparent. First, policy planning at the local level is difficult due to the dominant role of the provincial government. Secondly, planners are constrained in making long term improvements as their legitimacy has been limited primarily to technical matters. Local planners are unable to make any basic changes as they have little power to influence social and economic trends. At best, they can support programs that alleviate some of their worst effects. This case study has illustrated an approach to planning that re-defined the planner's role beyond the traditionally passive and technical role critics have claimed characterize the profession. Regina planners were largely successful in implementing their strategies. Because the approach used in Regina went well beyond basic reforms to the profession, and proved to be implementable, the strategies of short term action, issue orientation, policy formation, public participation, and political intervention should be used by other urban planners in Canada. If planners want to assume a more influential role in city development, there will have to be more discussion on the practice and function of the planning profession. Planning education should also reflect a more responsible role for planners. The values and purposes of planning should be stressed over technical competency. An understanding of who and what we are planning for is more important than achieving proficiency in using planning tools. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

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No description available.