Provincial and Municipal Governments

Provincial Government Structure

Differences between Federal and Provincial governments The Provincial government is headed by a Premier instead of a Prime Minister. The Premier of British Columbia is Premier Gordon Campbell Provinces have a Lieutenant Governor who represents the monarchy(Queen) instead of a Governor General. The Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia is Steven L. Point

Provincial Government Structure The Provincial Government has the same structure as the federal government except that the legislative branch only has one house-- the Legislative Assembly The Provincial government does not have a Senate to review legislation like the Federal government

The Legislative Assembly The Legislative Assembly is also referred to as the Provincial Parliament Buildings which are located in the Provincial capital city of Victoria Politicians elected into the Provincial Legislative Assembly are called Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA’s)

Provincial Government The Provincial government is responsible for the a variety of services and resources Some of these include: civil rights, property, administration of justice, natural resources and the environment, education and healthcare.

The Government of British Columbia To learn more about the British Columbia’s Provincial government we can visit their website at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/govt/lieutenant_governor_legislature.html

Municipal Government Structure

Burnaby Municipal Government Structure

Municipal Governments The Municipal governments are established in accordance with the Local Government Act Municipal governments are headed by a Mayor and selection of Councilors The Mayor and Councilors are directly elected by the public in Municipal elections Municipal elections are held once every three to four years on the same day

Aboriginal Self-Government It is only in recent years that the First Nations people of British Columbia have been granted the right to govern themselves The landmark Nisga’a Treaty paved the way for First Nations people to regain the right to govern themselves as they traditionally had done before the arrival of the Europeans Aboriginal self-government is usually headed by a tribal Chief and supported by band councils or elders when it comes to decision making and negotiating