July 14, 2016 | James Cuddy
Key findings of a commentary from Northern Policy Institute leaves more questions than answers on the overall effect of Sudbury’s 2001 amalgamation. Many argued the amalgamation, which saw seven lower-tier communities and several other unincorporated townships form the Greater City of Sudbury, would result in more efficient service delivery, thereby reducing costs.
While findings of the report reveal the consolidation triggered a spike in some service expenditures, and lowered spending in other places, author James Cuddy found he was only able to tell half the story. A lack of data and transparency on the quality of services being provided prevented a closer look at the increase in overall efficiency.