1. Pop Quiz
Referendum
Prime Minister
House of Commons
Riding
Act

2. Structure of Government
Municipal, Provincial and Federal

3. Division of Power Canada has a federal system of government
Federal (Canada)
Provincial (ie: Ontario)
Municipal (ie: Ottawa)

4. Municipal
Set up to deliver the basic services to people with common needs in a living community
Today, about 80% of all Canadians live in urban settings, therefore the need for a municipal government is important
In the year 2000, Canada had about 5,000 municipal governments
Ontario: brought down from 815 to 445 in the 1990’s.

5. Funding
Funding to pay for municipal services is raised mainly from property tax.
taxes on houses, apartments, and businesses in the municipality.
Additional funds are received from user fees
Licenses and parking permits
On occasion, the provincial government will contribute to areas where there is a shared responsibility – The O-Train

6. Decisions…Decisions…
Municipal government councilors and mayors make decisions on matters for which they are responsible
This includes:
Creating policies and passing bylaws on issues
Planning for the future (land development)
Seeing that services are delivered (parks and recreation)

7. Decision-making process
Stage 1
Committees meet, review staff reports and public submissions, make recommendations, and prepare proposals
Members of the community may make presentations related to any item on the agenda

8. Decision-making process
Stage 2
Items to be discussed at council are outlined on an agenda (developed by the clerk)

9. Decision-making process
Stage 3
Council meeting is called
This is open to the public
Formal proposals (motions) must be supported by at least one other member before being discussed
Council members debate motions
Municipal bylaws must be considered three times before being voted on
Motions and bylaws usually pass by a simple majority vote.

10. Decision-making process
Stage 4
Bylaws are signed by the clerk and the presiding officer, numbered, and affixed with the municipal seal
Stage 5
Bylaw takes effect

11. Bylaws (Ottawa) Idling Control By-law NO. 2007 - 266
No person shall cause or permit a vehicle to idle for more than three (3) consecutive minutes in a sixty (60) minute period.
Special Events on City Streets NO
No person shall participate in a special event on a highway unless such special event is carried on under the authority of a permit issued by the General Manager pursuant to this by-law.
Zoning By-law
A municipal by-law that regulates what, where, and how specific land uses can be developed in a municipality.

12. How you can get involved
Public consultations: meetings or surveys to find out what citizens think a about particular problem or proposal.
Citizens can be appointed to sit on municipal boards, commissions, and advisory councils.
Helping out in election campaigns.
Run for elected office and vote for the candidates they prefer.
Protest.

13. Challenges for the Municipal Government
“Everyone wants money”
Increased waste
Subsidized public housing
Child care
Urban renewal
Child poverty
Crime
Homelessness

14. Provincial Government
Runs the Province (Ontario)
The political party that elects the most MPPs (Members of Provincial Parliament) forms the provincial government. Their leader becomes the Premier and he or she is the head of the government.

15. Responsible For… Education Health Provincial Police (OPP) Tourism
Energy
Transportation

16. Federal Government
The federal government is made up of people from every province in Canada. We elect these federal members of government, much as we elect our provincial ones.

17. Federal Government cont.
Our federal representatives in Ottawa are known as Members of Parliament or MPs. The political party that elects the most MPs forms the federal government. Their leader becomes our Prime Minister.

18. Responsible For…. Canadian Citizenship Foreign Relations
National Defense
First Nations
Postal Service
Transportation
Health