Structure of Government Municipal

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

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.  Kenora, Ontario: largest district in Ontario (153,220 square miles).

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

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)

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

Decision-making process  Stage 2  Items to be discussed at council are outlined on an agenda (developed by the clerk)  Background reports, including committee reports, items of correspondence, and other materials, are given to members.

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.

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

Bylaws (Ottawa)  Idling Control By-law NO  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.

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.

NIMBY  “Not In My Back Yard”  An acronym used to describe the feelings of residents on a particular issue that is undesirable in their neighborhood.

Challenges for the Municipal Government  “There are never enough funds”  Increased waste  Subsidized public housing  Child care  Urban renewal  Child poverty  Crime  Homelessness

Jeopardy!!! Rules: 1. MUST answer in a question 2. Do not shout out the answer seconds maximum

Head of Council

This tax is the main source of revenue for a municipality, based on the value of your house.

This acronym describes the behavior residents express when they are opposed to the development because it is undesirable in their neighborhood.

A municipal by-law that regulates what, where, and how specific land uses can be developed in a municipality

Legal, governing corporations created by the Province, with defined geographic areas, the power to tax, and an elected council

The Clerk develops this for council meetings

Northern Ontario covers this percentage of the land area of Ontario

In the 1990’s, the Ontario Government reduced these from 815 to 445

80% of Canadians live in these areas of Canada

This is the second largest province in Canada in terms of land mass

Municipal governments hold their elections every four years in the fall during this month

This northern district is the largest district in Ontario, having a size of 153,220 square miles

Meetings or surveys to find out what citizens think a about specific problem or proposal.

Final Jeopardy  This was the last time the Ottawa Senators won the Stanley Cup...

1927!!!