© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com How Government Works Cities, Regions and School Boards

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Neighbourhood City Region Ontario Canada You Are Here Neighbourhood City Region Ontario Canada

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Levels of Government

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Levels of Government - Federal Queen FEDERAL Governor GeneralHouse Legislature Senate Ministries Committees Prime MinisterP.M. OfficeCabinet Executive JUDICIAL Supreme Federal

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Levels of Government Queen FEDERAL G.G. House Legislature Senate Ministries Comm. P.M. P.M.O Cabinet Executive PROVINCIAL L.G. Legislature L.A.O Ministries Comm. Premier P.O Cabinet Executive JUDICIAL Supreme Federal Provincial Municipal

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Provincial Government PROVINCIAL L.G. Legislature L.A.O Ministries Comm. Premier P.O Cabinet Executive Legislative Assembly Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) Committees

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Provincial Government PROVINCIAL L.G. Legislature L.A.O Ministries Comm. Premier P.O Cabinet Executive Premier Premiers Office Cabinet Ministries

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com How a Bill Becomes a Law

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Local Governments Provincial Ministries Education Municipal Affairs Municipalities School Boards

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com MUNICIPAL COUNCILS

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Municipal Jeopardy! MunicipalitiesSchool BoardsMash-Up!

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Municipal Jeopardy! MunicipalitiesSchool BoardsMash-Up!

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Municipal Councils SINGLE TIER GOVERNMENT REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS The powers of municipal governments are determined by the provincial government. 3 Types of Municipal Councils Regional Counties Single Tier

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Municipal Responsibilities City of Brampton Animal controlProvincial offences administration Arts and culture Parks and recreation By-law enforcementPublic transit Economic development Local roads Fire servicesTax collection Planning new community developments and enhancing existing neighbourhoods Snow removal, road and sidewalk maintenance Region of Peel Housing servicesWaste collection, recycling Police, ambulance services Waste water collection, treatment Public healthWater treatment, supply Social servicesRegional roads City of Toronto Administration of justice Hydro servicesImmigration Municipal planningEconomic developmentPublic health By-law EnforcementIndustryPublic libraries Direct taxationMunicipal institutionsPublic transit Primary, secondary education Municipal licensing (animal, building, business) Social assistance and social services Emergency medical services Arts and culture facilities, events Transportation infrastructure Emergency preparedness Municipal streets and roads Waste, recycling services EnvironmentParking Water and wastewater Fire protectionParks and recreation Policing Health carePensions, income support Housing

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Role of Municipal Council It is the role of Council, to represent the public and to consider the well-being and interests of the municipality to develop and evaluate the policies and programs of the municipality to determine which services the municipality provides to ensure that administrative policies, practices and procedures are in place to implement the decisions of council to ensure the accountability and transparency of the operations of the municipality, including the activities of the senior management of the municipality to maintain the financial integrity of the municipality and to carry out the duties assigned to it by law.

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Whos on Council? PEEL REGIONAL COUNCIL Regional Chair Mayors of Caledon, Brampton, Mississauga 11 City of Mississauga Council members 6 City of Brampton Council members 4 Town of Caledon Council members YORK REGIONAL COUNCIL Regional Chair and CEO Mayors of Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Whitchurch- Stouffville 1 Georgina Regional Council member 4 Markham Regional Council members 1 Newmarket Regional Council member 2 Richmond Hill Regional Council members 3 Vaughan Regional Council members Municipal Councils are made up of a Head of Council plus Councillors or Aldermen.

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Whos on Council? The Head of Council may be called a Warden, Chair, Reeve or Mayor. It is the role of the Head of Council, To act as the municipalitys chief executive officer To preside over council meetings (though in Toronto, a speaker is named) To provide the council with leadership and information and recommendations to the council To represent the municipality at official functions Head of Council

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Whos on Council? Councillors have a representative, policy-making and stewardship role in each municipality. Councillors Representative Role Councillors are elected by constituents to represent their views when dealing with issues at Council. Policy-Making Role Councillors are expected to provide direction for municipal policies, including administration and guidance for future decisions.

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Sample Council Meetings

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Agencies, Boards & Committees Committees can include but arent limited to: Budget committee Economic development committee Community and social services committee Property standards committee Audit committee Public works and infrastructure committee Public Health committee Agencies, boards and commissions can include but arent limited to: Police services board Public library board Transit commissions (i.e. TTC) Boards of health

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com How Decisions Get Made

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com York Region Organizational Chart

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com City of Brampton Organizational Chart

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com City of Toronto Organizational Chart

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Reading Municipal Reports History of the issue This section will include references to previous reports or decisions. Structure In reports the most recent information – usually the recommended conclusion is up front but the background discussion that makes it all make sense follows, in reverse chronological order. Introduction This section provides an overview of the issue and the purpose of the report. Recommendations Reports tend to put recommendations up front. Background This should explain the reasons for the recommendations and why the matter is an issue of importance.

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Role of Staff Staff have a lot more power in local governments and play a bigger role in decision making. Develop proposals and recommendations Support for Mayor and Councillors Staff outlast elected politicians

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com SCHOOL BOARDS

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Municipal Jeopardy! MunicipalitiesSchool BoardsMash-Up!

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com School Boards Education is a provincial government responsibility led by the Minister and Ministry of Education. Ontario's school boards operate the province's publicly-funded schools and administer the funding they receive for their schools.

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Role of School Boards Prescriptive Duties (what they must do)Permissive Duties (what they can do) Operating schools according to provincial legislation and regulation Offer pupil transportation Have a vision statement that reflects the boards philosophy and local needs and priorities Offer school libraries and resource centres Setting the boards budget within the provincial grants and accompanying regulations Operate school property as a playground, park or public skating facility Implementing curriculum according to ministry curriculum policyOffer qualified guidance teachers Developing and delivering other programs that reflect provincial policies and local priorities Offer continuing education and evening classes Hiring teachers and other staff required in their schoolsOperate cafeterias Maintaining school buildings and property with regard to student safety and in accordance with provincial legislation Offer professional development courses for teachers Monitoring their policies and the achievement of their students and, through the director of education, holding the entire system accountable for meeting provincial and board standard Offer programming in detention homes Operate child care facilities and day nurseries Offer benefits and insurance for its employees Offer insurance for pupils

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Whos part of a School Board? School Trustees School Board Trustees are locally elected representatives of the public and they are the communitys advocate for public education A Trustees job is to: participate in making decisions that benefit the whole board while representing the interests of his or her constituents, and also to communicate the views and decisions of the school board back to the constituents identify the needs and priorities of their community and turn them into practical educational opportunities for students.

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Whos part of a School Board? Student Trustees Student Trustees are elected by students and represent the interests of the student body at meetings of the Board Fully participate in meetings and have access to Board resources and opportunities Not members of the Board and are not entitled to vote Can have their voices reflected in meeting minutes

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Whos part of a School Board? Directors are responsible for: Advising the Board on operational matters Implementing Board policies Managing all areas of Board operations Developing, implementing, monitoring, finding resources for and reporting to the Board on a multi-year plan; Bringing to the Boards attention any Board violations of the Education Act or any of its policies, guidelines or regulations. Directors of Education The Director of Education is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Education Officer of the Board. All School Board staff report either directly or indirectly to the Director of Education.

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Whos part of a School Board? Superintendents (supervisory officers) Superintendents are accountable to the Director of Education for the implementation, operation, and supervision of educational programs in their schools. Superintendents are responsible for: Leading and supervising schools and programs Ensuring that performance appraisals are conducted. Working with principals and staff to ensure that schools operate according to Ministry and Board policy Holding schools accountable for student achievement

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Whos part of a School Board? School Councils School Councils advise principals on issues affecting the education programs and operation of individual schools. School Councils may advise on: Leading and supervising schools and programs Codes of student behaviour Curriculum priorities Programs/strategies to improve school performance on provincial and School Boards tests Communications with parents Community use of schools School Councils membership include: Parents/guardians of students the principal A teacher A student representative A non-teaching school staff Members from the community at large

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Board Committees Types of Board committees: Standing or permanent committees generally deal with ongoing or recurring matters, such as those specified in the legislation, and are an integral part of the Board structure. Ad hoc committees, like task forces or work groups, investigate a specific issue and report to the Board within a stated time frame. Advisory committees, established on either a short- or long-term basis, provide input into policy development or other areas where the Board would benefit from the experience and expertise of other participants.

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com

Municipal Jeopardy! MunicipalitiesSchool BoardsMash-Up!

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com The Regional Municipality of York York Regionwww.york.ca Town of Aurorawww.e-aurora.ca Town of East Gwillimburywww.eastgwillimbury.ca Town of Georginawww.georgina.ca Township of Kingwww.king.ca Town of Markhamwww.markham.ca Town of Newmarketwww.newmarket.ca Town of Richmond Hillwww.richmondhill.ca City of Vaughanwww.city.vaughan.on.ca Town of Whitchurch- Stouffville York Region District School Board York Catholic District School Board The Regional Municipality of Peel Region of Peelwww.peelregion.ca City of Bramptonwww.brampton.ca Town of Caledonwww.town.caledon.on.ca City of Mississaugawww.mississauga.ca Peel District School Board Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board City of Toronto Toronto District School Board Toronto Catholic District School Board Municipal Websites

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com MUNICIPAL BUDGETS

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Municipal Budgets Municipalities go through a process every year that determines the following years budget – what each department, division and Council will spend Unlike other levels of government, municipalities MUST balance their budgets every year Each municipality has a different budget process In some municipalities, initial budget discussions begin in the late fall with public consultations beginning early in the new year In other municipalities, the budget process starts much earlier, in the spring

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Municipal Budgets Capital Budgets Like a mortgage or car payments These are debts but they are balanced by things you own that are worth something. You can spend more than you have but need to make payments regularly, and you need enough income to cover the payments. Operating Budgets Like your food budget The operating budget pays for things that you use up and dont have afterward. If you spend more than you have, you run into deficit and eventually go broke.

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Mississaugas Budget Process

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Municipal Budget Consultations Municipalities use a variety of methods to engage residents in the budget process. Activities municipalities may use include: Budget committee deputations, and mail correspondence City/Town-wide public meetings Regional public meetings Online surveys Councillor-led public meetings Public open house

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com MAKING A DEPUTATION

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Making a deputation

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Elections Elections affect how politicians think about their jobs Politicians have to get elected every 4 years What they need to win colours what they feel they need to do while in office

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Elections They know which votes they need, which communities are swing votes They will work to appeal to those swing votes Issues that affect those groups get a lot of attention – so link your issue to their issue

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Municipal Elections Municipal elections happen once every 4 years A person is entitled to vote in a municipal election if she or he is: 18 years of age or older a Canadian citizen; and either a resident of the municipality or a property owner or tenant or the spouse or same sex partner of an owner or tenant in the municipality during a specified time just before the election On election day, voters elect representatives for their own Ward including: 1 Councillor 1 Mayor 1 School Board Trustee

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com Exercise Your issue is schools How do you get the attention of the elected official? Your issue is transit How do you get the attention of the elected official? Swing votes are seniors, newcomers

© Maytree 2014 | maytree.com How Government Works Cities, Regions and School Boards