Commission on the Reform of Ontario's Public Services

Chapter 20: Intergovernmental Relations
Enhancing Efficiency in the Service Delivery Relationship
As we discuss in Chapter 8, Social Programs, municipalities play an important role in providing
programs to Ontarians. For instance, social assistance programs are delivered by
municipalities but funded mainly by provincial transfer payments. Other examples include
social housing and child care programs, which are delivered primarily by municipalities and
funded by all three levels of government.
As also discussed in that chapter, program design and delivery will need to be integrated and
aligned across different government ministries and delivery agents. And as we note in the
federal-provincial relations section of this chapter, people expect public services to be easy
to use, timely and staffed by knowledgeable people. Different levels of government will need to
work together to determine the most efficient ways to provide services for those most in need.
If service levels are to be maintained within a 0.8 per cent growth in overall program spending,
a sustained commitment to enhanced efficiency and transformation will be required from all
players, including municipalities.
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