1. Provincial and Municipal
Levels of Government:
Provincial and Municipal

2. Three Levels of Government
Federal
Provincial
Municipal

4. Provincial Governmnet

5. Our Provincial Government
Similar to the way that the Federal government operates
We have a executive, judicial, and legislative branch

6. British Columbia’s Legislative Branch
The legislature or the house is similar to the House of Commons.
There is a speaker who oversees proceedings and makes sure rules of parliamentary government are followed
Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) are usually aligned to a political party but could be independants
We have elections every four years on the second Tuesday in May

7. Legislative Branch Similar to in the House of Commons
The leader of the party with the most seats is called upon by the Lieutenant Governor to form the government
The party with the second most seats form the official opposition

8. Legislative Branch
A new session of the Legislative assembly must be held at least once a year
It begins with the speech from the throne  written by members of the government party and read by the LG

9. Legislative Branch: Passing Legislation (Bill to Law)
Bills are often suggested by a provincial ministry  then after cabinet reviews the bill they choose one of three options
1. Adopt the proposal as a government policy – this would only affect the day to day internal government operations
2. Cabinet can pass an order in council – usually made a result of power granted in specific statutes, they have the force of law
3. The third option is to try and make a proposal law by introducing the bill into the legislature
Bills go through the same states as in the House of commons – but there is no senate
If the LG signs it it becomes a law

10. Legislative Branch
In a committee of the whole house the MLAs consider each section of the bill in aggressive detail, voting on each section separately
Changes are made and voted on during the third reading
FINALLY it is passed (if the LG signs)

11. Powers
Because we live in a federal system there are federal powers and provincial powers

12. Provincial Powers Provinces are responsible for:
1. property and civil rights
2. Administration of justice
3. Natural Resources and the Environment
4. Education
5. Health
6. Welfare

14. Municipal Government

16. Municipal Government Mayor: elected and heads the municipal council
The council is made up of aldermen.
Aldermen are elected
Mayors and Aldermen are elected for a fixed term
Municipal councillors usually present two or three campaign themes and don’t align with one political party
Some municipalities have groups that run as councillors together on a similar platform  these are called civic parties

17. Stewart Young – Langford Mayor
Langford City Council

18. What Do They Control? Things that generally affect our daily life
Ex: garbage disposal and water supply

19. Municipal Act of BC
Sets out powers of municipal councils and regional districts
The CRD (Capital Regional District) is an example of a regional district

20. Other Acts
The Police Act, The Highway Act, The Schools Act, The Fire Services Act
Generally the Provincial law prevails if there is ever conflict

21. Municipal By-Laws
By-laws passed by municipal governments usually go through a committee stage and 3 reading process as well
These readings generally take place in the same sitting

22. Regional Districts
In areas in BC of low population and high population density
To avoid under funding in low density areas and over funding in high density areas BC created 28 regional districts in the 1960s

23. More Local Authorities
School Districts: Run the schools with a Provincially approved budget
Improvement District: Supply services such as water, fire, garbage
Library Boards: funded by Provincial government, local or regional libraries

24. Municipal Government Responsibilities
Water
Sewage
Waste Collection
Public Transit
Land use planning
Libraries
Emergency services
Animal control
Economic Development

25. The End 