Social Studies 6 Unit V: Local Government

What is a local government?  Local Government: legislative and executive group that is responsible for governing a village, town, county, or city.  The leader of the local government (the executive branch) is called the MAYOR.  The legislative branch is called the Town Council and members are called Councillors. The mayor is usually part of the council too.  The members of the council are elected by the townspeople.  Local Government: legislative and executive group that is responsible for governing a village, town, county, or city.  The leader of the local government (the executive branch) is called the MAYOR.  The legislative branch is called the Town Council and members are called Councillors. The mayor is usually part of the council too.  The members of the council are elected by the townspeople.

What are the Responsibilities of Local Governments?  Local gov’ts are responsible for the following things:  Policing and fire department  Garbage disposal and recycling  Parks and recreation  Traffic, roads, snow plowing.  Public transportation (buses, LRT)  Different areas of responsibility are studied by Advisory committees who are made up of councilors, civil servants and concerned citizens.  Local gov’ts are responsible for the following things:  Policing and fire department  Garbage disposal and recycling  Parks and recreation  Traffic, roads, snow plowing.  Public transportation (buses, LRT)  Different areas of responsibility are studied by Advisory committees who are made up of councilors, civil servants and concerned citizens.

What are bylaws?  Bylaws are laws passed by city council. They affect only the citizens in that town.  Bylaws can affect things like speed limits, lawn care, noise levels, curfews, business hours, etc, where someone can and can’t smoke.  Bylaws are not considered ‘true’ laws.  Bylaws are laws passed by city council. They affect only the citizens in that town.  Bylaws can affect things like speed limits, lawn care, noise levels, curfews, business hours, etc, where someone can and can’t smoke.  Bylaws are not considered ‘true’ laws.

How Do Local Governments Pay for their services?  Two ways:  1. Tax money given to them from provincial and federal governments. (This has shrunk in recent years)  2. Property taxes raised by local government itself. Property tax is a tax on any houses, condos, or businesses you own. If you rent, you don’t have to pay.  Two ways:  1. Tax money given to them from provincial and federal governments. (This has shrunk in recent years)  2. Property taxes raised by local government itself. Property tax is a tax on any houses, condos, or businesses you own. If you rent, you don’t have to pay.

What is the City Manager?  The City Manager is the head worker for the city government.  They take the bylaws and services created by city council and work with the proper government department to make it happen.  Anyone who works for the government is called a civil servant. The city manager is the head civil servant. Technically, a teacher is a civil servant.  Civil servants are workers so they’re hired, not elected.  The City Manager is the head worker for the city government.  They take the bylaws and services created by city council and work with the proper government department to make it happen.  Anyone who works for the government is called a civil servant. The city manager is the head civil servant. Technically, a teacher is a civil servant.  Civil servants are workers so they’re hired, not elected.

Example of Civil Servants in Action  For example if a no smoking bylaw is passed. The city manager and business department might design a brochure and deliver to bar owners telling them about the new bylaw. They might also hire bylaw officers to supervise businesses and hand out tickets if they don’t follow the bylaw.

Differences between City and Rural Local Governments  Rural governments are often responsible for counties and the nearby ‘country’  The leader of a rural government is called a Reeve, not a mayor.  Native Canadian reserves are also governed by their own version of a local government.  Rural governments are often responsible for counties and the nearby ‘country’  The leader of a rural government is called a Reeve, not a mayor.  Native Canadian reserves are also governed by their own version of a local government.