Development equity has been a significant concern for many people globally. Although fairness is intuitively used in development debates, its meaning is not understood by most local and national governments. The importance of development equity is recognized, but in rare cases are policies prioritizing the achievement explored. Development inequality is a cause for some parts of Haut-Saint-Laurent lagging behind. However, the municipality can find solutions to tackling the inequity. Herewith are the core priorities that will help to address equity in Haut-Saint-Laurent.
Universal Public Services
To treat Haut-Saint-Laurent residents equally, the municipality must ensure that essential public services get to every person. As such, access to basic public services like education and health care should be a priority of the county government. Equity in public services can be achieved by ensuring equal and timely delivery to all parts of Haut-Saint-Laurent. Improving and strengthening institutions can be an ideal way of delivering to all people.
Providing More Resources to the Disadvantaged Groups
Unlike in most parts where the marginalized and disadvantaged groups get a small share, the areas should get more development resources to bridge the gap. Therefore, the expenditure of the municipality should favour underprivileged groups.
Social Protection
Everyone is entitled to social protection. Therefore, the government should ensure residents don’t drop below the minimum levels of wellbeing. In case people lack social security, unmet needs can create a cycle of disadvantaged groups. Therefore helping the poor with essential bills like health insurance and basic income grants is an excellent way of achieving social protection.
Redistribution
Channelling back the revenue to a disadvantaged area is an excellent way of ensuring development equity is achieved. Besides, the municipality can lower taxes to underprivileged regions. The significant fiscal gap between the established and the disadvantaged can be bridged through more funding to such places.