Érudit's RSS Feed

Note éditoriale

Sébastien Breau and Jean Dubé

Editorial Note

Sébastien Breau and Jean Dubé

Effet des transferts de l’État sur le développement local (Bénin)

Arnaud Modeste G Dèdèhouanou, Bernard G Hounmenou and Louis Tchonkloe
In Benin, decentralization is implemented through the transfer of financial resources from the central government to local governments (LGs). However, the relationship between these transfers and local development remains underexplored in the empirical literature. This study seeks to fill this gap by examining the effect of central government transfers on local development in Beninese local governments. It highlights the differentiated impact of both conditional and unconditional transfers on local development. Methodologically, the study relies on an econometric panel data analysis covering 77 local governments over the period 2003–2022, using the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) estimation technique. The empirical results show that health-sector conditional transfers (FADeC earmarked for health) are positively associated with local development. In contrast, other transfers, particularly those earmarked for education (FADeC earmarked for education), are negatively correlated with local development. These findings reveal several important policy implications for the design and implementation of decentralization and local development policies in Benin, particularly with regard to the sectoral targeting and efficiency of resource allocation to local governments.

Le domaine culturel face aux crises financières, sanitaire et climatique en France et au Québec

Fabrice Thuriot
The cultural sector has been affected by several crises in recent years and has been hit again recently: financial crises (2007-2008, 2014-2015, 2020, 2024–2025 in part), the COVID-19 health crisis (2020–22), and climate crises (for several years with preventive measures, but only recently with corrective measures). Like other sectors, it is affected nationally and regionally, but with particular severity due to its fragile and optional nature. It is often considered first in budgetary choices, as well as non-essential and even dangerous in the fight against the pandemic due to its activities requiring people to be outside their homes and negatively impacting the climate in ecological terms (travel, energy, materials, etc.). The aim of this contribution is to clarify the logic behind the cultural sector’s responses to these crises in France and Quebec

Gouvernance partenariale entre État, compagnie minière et communautés locales en Guinée : systémique des politiques publiques dans la région bauxitique de Boké

Idiatou Bah and Mario Carrier, professeur titulaire
Using Vincent Lemieux’s (2009) systemic public policy model combined with the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), this article seeks to understand the reasons and factors explaining the difficulties faced by the Compagnie de Bauxite de Guinée (CBG) in developing a partnership-based governance system capable of generating sustainable local benefits in Boké. Based on a qualitative and empirical approach, the study highlights the evolution of the multinational company’s partnership governance in response to a changing and evolving environment. It also reveals the ambiguity of CBG’s behavior toward emerging public policies related to corporate social responsibility and local content requirements. Finally, the article emphasizes the need to assess the company’s capacity to adapt to this evolving environment through a reassessment of its activities, its collaboration with stakeholders, and the sustainability of its development objectives. Situated within the field of public policy in regional and development studies, the article ultimately sheds light on the dynamics of State–company–community relations within Guinea’s bauxite sector in the context of extractive industry reforms aimed at promoting sustainable development.

La précarité énergétique au Québec : une problématique à reconnaître pour une transition juste et équitable

Sophie Kutuka, Mylène Riva, Laurianne Debanné, Sébastien Breau, Caroline Adam and Runa R. Das
In Québec, despite having some of the lowest electricity rates in North America, many households experience energy poverty, meaning they struggle to afford or access the residential energy services required to meet their needs. To enhance understanding of energy poverty and to inform a just and equitable energy and climate transition, this study pursues three objectives: (1) to quantify the extent of energy poverty in Québec; (2) to identify factors associated with energy poverty; and (3) to examine its association with health and well-being among the adult Québec population. Pooled and weighted data from the 2018 and 2021 cycles of the Canadian Housing Survey were analyzed. Depending on the measurement approach, between 9% and 16% of Québec households experience energy poverty. Energy poverty is more prevalent among renters, older adults, individuals living alone, those with lower income and education levels, and those residing in housing requiring major repairs. Results from regression models adjusted for potential confounders indicate that energy poverty is significantly associated with poorer general and mental health, and with lower life satisfaction. Addressing the energy needs of households whose well-being is compromised by inadequate access to energy services is essential to support the development and implementation of policies and programs that effectively reach those most in need.

Examining the Relationship Between Rental Housing Assistance Type and Characteristics of Neighbourhood Satisfaction in Canada

Laurence Simard, Xavier Leloup, Ph.D., Catherine Leviten-Reid, Ph.D., Kristen Desjarlais-deKlerk, Ph.D., Nazeem Muhajarine, Ph.D. and Pablo Mendez, Ph.D.
This paper analyzes the Canada Housing Survey (CHS) first-wave data (2018) to examine the relationship between various aspects of neighbourhood satisfaction and rental housing type (e.g., government, co-operative, not-for-profit [NFP], and private) inherited from past Canadian housing policies. Using partial proportional odds models, we consider feeling of safety, resource accessibility, and community/neighbourhood satisfaction. This approach allows for nuanced interpretations beyond purely objective measures, encompassing factors like service adequacy, personal characteristics, and neighbourhood issues. CHS data reveal lower neighbourhood satisfaction among renters, with public housing showing lower satisfaction and lower feelings of safety compared to other housing types. Co-operative and NFP housing appear to offer less favourable options for tenants occupying a subsidized unit in terms of access to services responding to their needs. Finally, a predominance of personal characteristics appeared in the modelling, which we believe demonstrates persistent inequality in Canada linked with urban design and housing access for historically marginalized groups.