Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #460020 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-06
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 1.49 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 352 pages

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