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: #139396 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-06
• Original language: English
• 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

Customer Reviews

Worth a read for any Saskatchewan resident
Mackinnon does a good job describing the situation that Saskatchewan was in during the 1990's when the NDP came to power. She also provides a good historical summary of how that situation came to be. I know that this book has been somewhat derided by many on the left of the political spectrum. After reading the book, I don't think that it was given a fair assessment by many people on the left who criticized MacKinnon's take on things; or the way in which Romanow and his cabinet/caucus governed. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that Mackinnon was fair and balanced (not to be confused with Fox News' idea of fair and balanced) in her assessment of various situations that she discussed in the book; from the mistakes of Blakeney to the mistakes of Devine and some of Romanow's government members as well. I've rarely read a political book that as objective as this one; most political books are clearly partisan and tend to make excuses for people or use spin-doctoring to give the situations a more palatable taste.

Interesting to note is that the book also goes a long way to helping one understand Janice Mackinnon better. I met Janice on a few occasions but never had the opportunity to have a real conversation with her. I know many people thought that she came across as arrogant and perhaps a little out of tough. Having read her book, I feel that I understand her better as a person and I find that very interesting.

This book would be interesting to any Saskatchewan resident, political junkie or anyone under 40 who needs a better understanding of the political changes our country has seen in the past few decades.

A fair and balanced look at her time in Government
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.

A view from the inner circle : an insider's report.
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.