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Exploring Mechanisms of Value
The articles shared here reflect an ongoing effort to connect research with practice. As a finance researcher, entrepreneur, and active political agent, I view these topics not as isolated curiosities but as mechanisms that collectively shape how we understand value — in markets, institutions, and communities. Each piece explores how social, administrative, or behavioral factors influence the broader systems in which financial decisions occur. Whether in management, public administration, or policy, anyone working within these environments can draw insight from understanding how these mechanisms interact and contribute to the creation — or erosion — of value.
A Tariff, an Ad, and a Century of Complacency
When Donald Trump announced that he would raise "the tariff on Canada" by 10 percent "over and above what they are paying now," Ottawa’s response was instant: surprise, frustration, and confusion.The spark this time? An Ontario government ad quoting Ronald Reagan’s...
Communications-keeping it clean
When Communications Go Sideways When communication breaks down, it’s rarely because the facts are wrong — it’s because the tone, framing, or intent becomes defensive. In municipal or inter-organizational contexts, this can happen when a message tries to prove who was...
Small Communities, Big Responsibilities
Small towns often appear quiet on the surface, but beneath that calm lies a constant balance between care and capacity. In places like North Hatley, governance isn’t abstract — it’s personal. Each decision touches familiar faces, familiar streets, and the shared...
The Courage to Simplify
Academics — myself included — sometimes hide behind complexity. We dress ideas in dense language, not always out of pride, but often out of insecurity. Complexity can feel comforting; it creates distance and gives the illusion of control. The same is true in...
What We Measure, We Value
At our family Thanksgiving, we go around the table and say what we’re thankful for. We measure that grace, in a way — we pause, we notice, we give it form. Then we carry that awareness forward into the year that follows. In a community, the same principle applies....
Discovering What Good Governance Can Look Like
Summary Since it’s publication, I have been reading through Quebec’s “Referential of Competencies for Public Service Leaders.” This framework was designed to help public servants navigate change and lead with coherence. What struck me most is how much of it applies...
The Architecture of Stability: Why Complex Financial Systems Depend on Structure
In the study of finance, complexity is often treated as a problem — a source of uncertainty, fragility, and systemic risk. Yet complexity itself is not the enemy. It is the natural state of any adaptive system composed of interdependent actors, feedback mechanisms,...
Our Finances at a Glance — Toward a Citizen Dashboard
Most residents want to understand where their tax dollars go, but municipal documents are often long, technical, and hard to navigate. A Citizen Dashboard makes that information visual, direct, and accessible — turning data into understanding. When citizens can see...
Clarity Before Complexity — How to Communicate Council Decisions More Effectively
Municipal decisions affect every resident, yet too often, citizens only hear about them through dense minutes or fragmented social media posts. True accountability begins when information is shared in a way that people can easily understand, verify, and discuss. Clear...
Understanding Municipal Debt — What Every Citizen Should Know
Debt can sound like a frightening word, but in municipal finance, it is not always a bad thing. When used wisely, borrowing allows a community to build for the future without placing the entire cost on today's taxpayers. Understanding how and why a municipality...
How Municipal Budgets Work — Plain and Simple
Every town, no matter its size, runs on a budget. Yet for many citizens, municipal finances can feel like an indecipherable mix of numbers, codes, and reports. The truth is simpler: a budget is the story of how a community sets priorities and manages its shared...
Accountability: The Cornerstone of Trust and Good Governance
Summary: Accountability is not just about holding people responsible—it is about building trust, ensuring transparency, and aligning actions with shared values. Whether in government, business, or education, accountability is the framework that converts authority into...
Flexibility in the Managerial Role
Flexibility in the Managerial Role Good administration requires judgment. Managers operate within a spectrum: at times, flexibility and understanding are essential; at other times, rigidity and adherence to rules are non-negotiable. The art of management lies...
Communications
Clear Communication Builds Strong Communities Clear communication is not a luxury in public life—it’s the foundation for trust, participation, and good decision-making. When people understand not just what is being said but also why it matters, they feel...
Why Good Governance Matters
Why Good Governance Matters When people hear the word governance, it can sound like something abstract or only relevant to big institutions. In reality, governance is about something very simple: how decisions are made, and how those making them stay...