Local governments across Western Canada are faced with a range of issues like greater service demands and resource pressures – the well known “do more with less” predicament. MNP polled municipal leaders in B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan about their top concerns and what drives (or impedes) innovation. The results were revealing.
Municipalities may tout how unique they are from one another, but they all share concerns about how to keep their communities running while balancing budgets and citizens’ expectations. Their top three concerns were:
While most local governments recognize innovation is the key to their future, the most commonly cited barrier was funding. Engaging the public and investing in their staff was seen as the most viable solutions.
Cost pressures are stimulating innovative solutions such as increased collaboration and partnerships as well as technology to meet growing citizen demands.
Inter-municipal collaboration, citizen engagement, council support, strong leadership and committed staff were cited as critical components to successful innovative initiatives.
MNP is a leading national accounting, tax and business consulting firm in Canada. We proudly serve and respond to the needs of our clients in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Through partner-led engagements, we provide a collaborative, cost-effective approach to doing business and personalized strategies to help organizations succeed across the country and around the world.
.svg)