Suchergebnisse

This research provides insight into the current state-of-the-art of auto-idle and auto shutdown technologies in construction equipment, current idling policies and legislation for the off-road sector in Canada and the United States, and the potential reduction in GHG emissions if the use of these technologies were widely deployed. ; Peer reviewed: No ; NRC publication: Yes

Is there evidence of a principal‐agent problem in the municipal bond industry? Do public managers, either on their own or through private sector agents, act to increase their own utility at the expense of the public? This article examines municipal bond decisions in the context of principal‐agent theory based on data collected through a random sample survey of municipal bond issuers. Principal‐agent theory is not well developed in the public sector. In the municipal bond industry, however, we have evidence that it helps explain the actions of public managers and elected officials, in particular for pay to play and the importance of interest rates vis‐à‐vis relationships. These actions carry potential costs to citizens.

Political scientists usually assume that physical environment helps determine political behavior. They would not, for example, expect a homogeneous political culture in a country sharply divided by mountains. Also, extreme variations in physical environment, such as droughts and floods, have been traditionally considered bad omens for governments. However, very little empirical research has been done on the relationship between natural disasters and attitudes toward government for three reasons. First, political activity seems more determined by social environment than physical. Also, since the individual is influenced by a greater number of social factors than physical factors, the former are more accessible for study and comparison. Finally, it is especially difficult to examine the effect of natural disasters, for they are rather uncommon and unpredictable. This research gap is unfortunate, since such catastrophes place great stress upon the social framework and thus test the adaptive capabilities of the political system.

During FY2020-2021, a literature review of 54 documents was completed to examine Canada's winter road network, identify parameters that affect winter road safety, models that assess the impact of climate change on winter roads, and identify standards for climate risk assessment related to northern infrastructure. A framework to review and assess the climate risk and vulnerability of winter roads in Canada was developed. This framework is intended to evolve over time. The foundation of the framework is based on published scientific methods, field data from winter road operations, as well as stakeholder observation, experience and concerns. A case study of the current iteration of the framework was performed on the James Bay Winter Road in Northern Ontario. Consultations with winter road stakeholders within the federal and provincial governments were completed to better understand the unique challenges and perspectives of each stakeholder. An initial review of relevant and available data for the project was completed, and the gaps in data identified. ; Peer reviewed: No ; NRC publication: Yes