Local Government

Election: a democratic way to select a representative

Representative: a person elected by the people to represent the people. Any Canadian citizen over the age of 18 can run for office (become a Candidate)

Steps of a Local Election:

 Nomination - Must be nominated to get name on voting ballot (papers with personal info and names of people who have nominated you are delivered to municipal offices) Name goes on voting ballot (a piece of paper used for voting that lists the names of the candidates)

 Campaigning - Gain support through campaign committees, debate, door to door knocking, leaflets and signs

 Voting: People go to polling station to vote. Person with the most amount of votes wins. Voting is a democratic way to voice your opinion

Why do we have Local Government?

Local government is created to provide services to meet some of the needs of its citizens.

• Local Government Services

•  Public Transportation

•  Fire Protection

•  Waste Disposal

•  Parks and Recreation

•  Animal Control

•  Libraries

•  Streets and Roads

•  Senior’s Facilities

•  School Boards

Taxes

 Local government collects the money for the above services through tax collection. Taxes collected from the people who own

property in the community:

• Such as houses

• Such as businesses

• Such as land

 Money collected by taxes is called revenue or income for the local government to spend on the above services.

 When the local government spends its money it is called expenditures, or expenses.

Bylaws 

 Are rules, at the local level, that specify people’s behaviour in order to help keep people safe and help community run smoothly.

Bylaws can only be enforced in areas they have been passed. People are responsible for knowing and obeying bylaws of that community and could be fined if rules are not followed.

New Bylaws or Changes to Bylaws

 Motion

•  (idea or proposal discussed and voted on at a meeting) is introduced by a councillor.

  •  A person or group can make a presentation at a council meeting

  •  People have 3 chances to speak out against it. Supporters can answer criticisms each time.

 Motion is put to a vote. If the Majority of councillors vote in favour, it will be passed and become a bylaw.

Other Types of Local Governments

School Board - is a type of local government that makes decisions about education services and programs in schools. They know the needs and values of the community and makes decisions that are appropriate to these needs.

Superintendent - is responsible for running the schools in a jurisdiction (name of area that covers all schools 

• ex. Christ the Redeemer, Calgary Catholic), hired by school board.

Trustee – voted member of the community who serves on a school board.

Types of School Boards

Public Schools – are open to all students, they may have French Immersion or bilingual programs in languages such as Chinese, Arabic or Ukrainian. They may also have special needs programs

Separate Schools – have instruction in the Roman Catholic faith as well as a wide variety of language programs.

Francophone Schools – all Francophone schools are run by Francophone school boards unless they are private. Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms gives Francophone parents in Alberta the right to have their children educated in French.

Charter Schools – are not governed by the local school board. They have the same curriculum as public schools, but with a special focus, such as science, music or athletics.

First Nation Schools – are run by First Nations bands and often focus on aspects of the First Nations culture such as language.