1. Class of February 10 – Budget Simulation Briefing Scenario: After having listened to the federal budget of Jan. 27, the Ontario Government is now planning a budget for sometime in March. It is planning a $10 billion stimulus package for the 2009-10 fiscal year. The objective of the package is to spend the $10 billion on programs that will have an immediate effect in increasing economic activity and are consistent with long-term government priorities. The objective of the simulation is to divide up the $ 10 billion among the departments represented in the simulation. The package may include programs that take advantage of matching funds offered in the federal budget.

2. Budget Simulation Roles Up to 15 teams of 2 persons to choose from 24 depts: Premier McGuinty and chief of staff Peter Wilkinson [must have] Minister of Finance Dwight Duncan and Deputy Minister Peter Wallace [must have] Minister and DM of Health and Long-Term Care [must have] Minister and DM of Education [must have] Minister and DM of Training, Colleges and Universities [must have] Minister and DM of Transportation [must have] Minister and DM of Economic Development [must have] Minister and DM of Energy and Infrastructure [must have]

3. Budget Simulation Roles Minister and DM of Environment [must have] Minister and DM of Municipal Affairs and Housing [must have] Minister and DM of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister and DM of Community and Social Services Minister and DM of Aboriginal Affairs Minister and DM of Children and Youth Services Minister and DM of Citizenship and Immigration Minister and DM of Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister and DM of Culture Minister and DM of International Trade and Investment Minister and DM of Labour Minister and DM of Natural Resources Minister and DM of Northern Development and Mines Minister and DM of Research and Innovation Minister and DM of Small Business and Consumer Services Minister and DM of Tourism

4. Resources Departmental websites: access from “Explore Government” on Ontario site (http://www.ontario.ca/en/residents/index.htm)http://www.ontario.ca/en/residents/index.htm Government priorities: 2008 Progress Report Federal budget on www.canada.ca Detailed spending by dept, Ontario Ministry of Finance, 2007-08 public accounts, vol. 1 (http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/english/budget/paccts/20 08/2007-08volume1.pdf)

5. Budget Simulation Deadline of 9 am Monday, Feb. 16 for two-person teams to apply for roles (by sending me an email). Indicate first, second, third choices. I will email people their roles on Feb. 16. Department teams to send Premier, Minister of Finance, and Prof. Borins a 5 page (max.) doubled spaced memo by end of day Friday, Feb. 27 with their proposals for new programs to be funded out of the $10 billion, showing how their programs would stimulate the economy and what their programs would cost, relationship of new programs to federal budget, to government priorities, and to your department’s current programs and budget. Memo may have appendices that are in addition to, i.e. do not count within, the 5 page limit. Appendices would be useful to justify the cost of new programs.

6. Budget Simulation Spending department memos to be reviewed by Premier and Minister of Finance over the weekend. Minister and DM of Finance prepare evaluation of proposals and recommendations to distribute at beginning of simulation on Tuesday March 3. Premier to chair meeting to discuss proposals on Tuesday, March 3. Ministers sit at cabinet table and DMs behind them. DMs may speak on factual but not policy issues, if asked by their minister. (Note: students who have not yet made presentations in class should play role of minister.) Premier and chief of staff to prepare memo recording the decisions taken and rationale, due to Prof. Borins at the end of the day Friday March 6. Professor Borins will present a debrief of the simulation in class on March 10.

7. Class of February 24 Mid-terms returned and discussed Preparation for budget exercise (question and answer) Watch The Thick of It