Child care, Ontario politics, and the agenda-setting process

grantor: University of TorontoThe intent of this study is to identify some of the variables that have influenced the agenda-setting process of a provincial government specific to social policy issues, by examining the dynamics that have surrounded child care policy in Ontario. A conceptual framework was proposed to aid in identifying variables and the nature of interaction among variables. The conceptual framework was proposed to illustrate the nature of the dynamics and the relationships that were revealed through the data analysis. Key-informant interview data led to revisions that more accurately reflected the influential variables and their impact on the agenda-setting process. Primary data sources included a review of newspaper articles on child care and Hansard from the Ontario legislature. Interviews with key informants also yielded unique data. Results suggest that the social policy agenda-setting process issues, can be influenced by variables such as (but not limited to) ideology, media, economics, and public opinion. Independently and collectively such variables appear to influence the feasibility, legitimacy, and support of a particular issue as well as the political leadership given to the issue. Ultimately, this has an impact on the agenda. Further investigation of the nature of the dynamics could add to our understanding of the agenda-setting process. Participants in the agenda-setting process may be able to more effectively influence the agendas of governments by focusing their efforts on those variables most likely to lead to the desired outcome in terms of the agenda.Ed.D