Minding the Public Purse: The Fiscal Crisis, Political Trade-Offs, and Canada's Future [Hardcover]

Janice MacKinnon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2003

Janice MacKinnon became minister of Finance for the province of Saskatchewan in 1993, under NDP Premier Roy Romanow, just as the province became the first casualty of the debt and deficit crises that dominated both provincial and federal politics throughout the decade. "Minding the Public Purse" is a unique mixture of political memoir and policy analysis. MacKinnon reveals the dynamics of the federal-provincial finance ministers' meetings that saw the rise of Paul Martin and his radical transformation of Canada's finances.MacKinnon, Canada's first female finance minister, provides keen observations on how personalities and shared regional perspectives cut across party affiliations in the evolution of federal-provincial deliberations on managing the debt crisis. Although initially opposed to the radical cuts and downloading unilaterally imposed by the federal minister of Finance in his 1995 budget, she now argues that they were essential and analyses how they have irrevocably transformed the Canadian federation. MacKinnon provides a timely analysis of the implications of the fiscal crisis for the future of medicare and Canada's other social programs and shows why politicians must involve the Canadian public in an open and frank debate about the challenges and choices facing the nation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Janice MacKinnon helped make a sea change happen in Canadian politics and this book is a fascinating account of the real world of public life. There are still lessons to be learned, and hard choices to be made. Janice MacKinnon is one of the few social democrats who really 'gets it.' Bob Rae /// "MacKinnon provides a remarkably candid and insightful account of the financial crisis that placed Saskatchewan on the brink of bankruptcy. Her insider's account is written in clear, accessible, and even elegant prose. She gives us rare glimpses into the inner workings of government at the highest level, including the importance of personality and leadership style within the policy process, together with serious analysis." Paul Thomas, Duff Roblin Professor of Government, University of Manitoba /// "MacKinnon makes a unique contribution to Canadian history and public policy studies. Her account grabs the reader and draws them into the events that are being explained. The insights that this work offers have enormous relevance to the issues that Canadians are grappling with today. Whether voters are principally concerned with policy for First Nations, the sustainability of the health care system, or federal-provincial relations more generally, they will find MacKinnon's conclusions and suggestions for future policy development fascinating and well worth discussing." Jim Miller, Canada Research Chair, History, University of Saskatchewan

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Mcgill Queens Univ Pr; First Edition edition (April 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0773525548
• ISBN-13: 978-0773525542
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,488,599 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A view from the inner circle : an insider's report., December 18, 2003

By 

Rick H. Fowler (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Minding the Public Purse: The Fiscal Crisis, Political Trade-Offs, and Canada's Future (Hardcover)

It is the details in Janice MacKinnon's book that are spellbinding. How Saskatchewan could not meet is debt. obligations. How the previous government's Department of Social Services shredded all of its Departmental documents, so that nothing was left. The "discovery of cameras and other surveillance equipment used to spy on welfare recipients" (page 69). The financial problems with health care, and the massive firings in the civil service. We had heard the rumors, but MacKinnon's book gives us the details in black and white.

I was working for New Careers Corp. at the time the head office was moved to Kamsack. I remember how shocked everyone was. But it was only from reading MacKinnon's book that I found would that Minister Martin argued against the move. With expenses of a million for a building, and $200,000 telephone and transportation costs, it is no wonder that Janice MacKinnon moved the New Careers office back to Regina when She became Minister.

I highly recommend this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars A fair and balanced look at her time in Government, August 9, 2003

By 

Jordon Cooper "Coop" (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Minding the Public Purse: The Fiscal Crisis, Political Trade-Offs, and Canada's Future (Hardcover)

This is a great book. Not only was Janice McKinnon a leader during some of the hardest days in Saskatchewan's history, she is a great historian and story teller.

I was impressed with her non-partisan look at the Blakeney and Devine governments. She protrayed their intentions and results fairly and balanced. Her look at her own political career was enjoyable as well as she documented the struggles and tensions within the Romanow government and the challenges that she had to make in her own department. If you are a fan of Canadian history, you will want to read this amazing and fun book to read.