5.1: Responsibility of Local Government

Bylaw - A set of rules or laws that are established in a town/city in order to regulate itself and the members in the community.

Example: animal ontrol, parking, management of public recreation areas.

economic development - Actions taken by a local government to help businesses grow, create jobs, and make the community a better place to live.

essential services - Important services that people need to live safely and comfortably, such as police, fire departments, hospitals, and clean water.

Infrastruture - The basic physical systems a community needs to function, such as roads, bridges, water pipes, power lines, and buildings.

Representative Democracy - a system of government where citizens elect representatives to make decisions and create laws on their behalf. 

taxes - Money that people and businesses pay to the government so it can provide services like schools, garbage collection, and parks.

zoning - Rules that local governments use to decide how land in a community can be used, like where homes, businesses, and parks can be built.

Local Decision-Making 

Local governments are closest to the people they serve. They make decisions based on the unique needs and priorities of their community, which might not be as visible or relevant to provincial or federal governments. One way this is done is by creating bylaws in order to govern and regulate emembers

Provide Essential Services

Local governments provide essential services like:

• Clean water and sanitation.

• Waste management.

• Public transportation.

• Snow removal and road maintenance.

• Fire and emergency services.

• Libraries, parks, and recreational facilities.

Representation

Local governments is a representative democracy. They give people a voice in decision-making through elected officials like mayors and councillors, ensuring their concerns and ideas are considered.

Community Development

They support community growth and development through:

• Zoning and land use planning.

• Economic development initiatives.

• Building local infrastructure (roads, bridges, public buildings).

Local Identity and Culture

Local governments often protect and promote local heritage, culture, and events, helping communities celebrate their unique identity.

Accountability

Because local governments operate at a smaller scale, residents can more easily hold them accountable for their actions and policies, fostering a sense of trust and involvement.

Collaboration with Higher Levels of Government

Local governments work with provincial and federal governments to implement broader policies while tailoring them to fit local circumstances.

What Are Taxes?

• Taxes are money collected from people and businesses by the government.

• Everyone in the community pays taxes to help fund services that benefit everyone.

Why Do We Pay Taxes?

• Taxes provide the money needed to run important services and programs in the community.

• Without taxes, the government wouldn’t be able to afford things like public transit, waste management, or parks.

How Local Governments Use Taxes

Local governments use taxes to fund services such as:

• Public Transit - in larger centres

  • • • Taxes help pay for buses, trains, and other transportation systems.

      • This ensures people can travel safely and affordably within the community.

• Waste Management

  • • • Taxes pay for garbage collection, recycling programs, and landfill maintenance.

      • These services keep the community clean and protect the environment.

• Parks and Recreation

  • • • Taxes fund the maintenance of parks, playgrounds, and sports fields.

      • They also help provide programs like swimming lessons or community events.

• Emergency Services

  • • • Police, fire departments, and ambulances are funded through taxes to keep the community safe.

• Roads and Infrastructure

  • • • Taxes are used to repair roads, build sidewalks, and maintain bridges.

How Are Taxes Collected?

Local governments collect taxes in different ways, such as:

• Property Taxes: Money paid by homeowners or businesses based on the value of their property.

• User Fees: Fees paid for specific services, like bus passes or garbage tags.

Why Are Taxes Important?

• Taxes make it possible for the community to have shared services that everyone can use.

• Without taxes, many essential services would not exist, and the community would not function as well.

What can you do as a Citzen?

• Learn about how your local government uses taxes.

• Share your opinions on how taxes should be spent by attending public meetings or talking to local leaders.

• Use community services responsibly to ensure they last for everyone.

• Become involved in activities or issues that you are passionate about

councillor - a person elected to local government

council - a group of elected representatives who make decisions for a local area

municipal district 

• government form in rural areas of the province

• similar to a county or a rural municipality

reeve - a local official of a municipal district

hamlet - an unincorporated community under council of a municipal district

constituents - those who live within a constituency and can elect members to represent them

constituency - a group of citizens who are entitled to elect a representative within their electoral district

Provost is found in the Municipal District of Provost. The MD does not make decisions on behalf of the people in Provost, but those who live in the outlying areas such as hamlets and villages. There is a council that consists of seven representatives, with one being the elected reeve and another person who is the deputy reeve. The council meet two times a month. 

The Town of Provost has six councillors and one mayor. The Town Council meeting is held once a month. 

The MD and the Town both work cooperatively to ensure that both people living in town and those in the rural areas have access to such services as health care, recreational programs, utilities (electricity, gas, water), safe roads. 

On your Lapbook handout with the Provincial and Local government cards, record the following a minimum of ten of the services for each level of government.

It costs millions of dollars to ensure that the people in our area are provided for.

The annual budget for both the MD and the Town must be used to cover the services listed above, as well as the wages to pay for the people who work for these government offices. 

Where does the money come from?

Transfer payments

Operating funds provided by the provincial and federal government. These fluctuate each year depending on various initiatives, public issues, and provincial mandates (pandemic, disaster relief, special programing in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions 94 Calls to Action. 

Taxes

• Income tax

• Fuel tax

• Tobacco tax

• School taxes (collected on the property tax)

If we have a federal and provincial government who can collect taxes and pay for our local services, then why do we have a local government? 

People who live in our community have a better understanding of what our local needs are. 

Having a local government gives all citizens a better opportunity to participate in the democratic process either through running for office or by taking part in town hall meetings. 

5.2: How Are Local Governments Organized