Environmental health metanarratives: all analysis of policy making in Ontario, Canada

This paper provides a narrative analysis of a policy document, issued by th e Ontario Premier's Council on Health, Well-Being and Social Justice, entit led "Our Environment, Our Health". It begins by outlining the background fo r the production of the document and establishing the nature of narrative a nalysis. The intention of this method is to reveal dominant and suppressed ideas through identifying narrative, non-stories and counter-stories. It th en goes on to provide an analysis of the overall policy piece and its const ituent parts, healthy ecosystems, healthy communities and healthy workplace s. The document's power is seen not only in its authorship but also in demo nstrating the moral basis of individual responsibility to achieve collectiv e targets and to undertake collection action. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd . All rights reserved.