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A Policy Window Opens: Strategic Environmental Assessment In York Region, Ontario, Canada

Author

Listed:
  • DENIS KIRCHHOFF

    (Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L3G1, Canada)

  • DAN MCCARTHY

    (Social Innovation Generation, Department of Environment and Resources Studies, University of Waterloo, Canada)

  • DEBBE D. CRANDALL

    (Save the Oak Ridges Moraine Coalition, Canada)

  • LAURA MCDOWELL

    (Engineering Water and Wastewater Branch, Transportation and Works Department, Regional Municipality of York, Canada)

  • GRAHAM WHITELAW

    (School of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Canada)

Abstract

Government agenda setting has been a focus of research in the field of policy sciences for over two decades. The concept of a policy window is explored as a driver of governmental agenda setting. The Regional Municipality of York, Ontario, Canada was chosen as a case study for exploring the application of strategic environmental assessment at the municipal level through a policy window lens. Problem, policy and political streams converged to provide the necessary conditions for improved environmental assessment and infrastructure planning in York Region. A focusing event and the resulting crisis motivated stakeholders to identify and act on the problem. An SEA-type approach was initiated as one key response. A variety of activities were initiated by York Region including the development of a Sustainability Strategy, synchronisation of master planning, wider consideration of alternatives at the master plan level and improved public consultation. Conclusions are drawn and several recommendations are presented and discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Denis Kirchhoff & Dan Mccarthy & Debbe D. Crandall & Laura Mcdowell & Graham Whitelaw, 2010. "A Policy Window Opens: Strategic Environmental Assessment In York Region, Ontario, Canada," Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management (JEAPM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 12(03), pages 333-354.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:jeapmx:v:12:y:2010:i:03:n:s1464333210003632
    DOI: 10.1142/S1464333210003632
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pietro Caratti & Holger Dalkmann & Rodrigo Jiliberto (ed.), 2004. "Analysing Strategic Environmental Assessment," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 3149.
    2. Thomas B. Fischer, 2006. "Conference Report: "Conclusions Stream C: Linkages Between Sea And Other Assessment Or Planning Tools"," Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management (JEAPM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 8(04), pages 495-504.
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