Municipal Government 101

Why Are Municipalities Important?

Local (municipal) government is closer to the people, providing representation through elected mayors and councils who understand their communities.

Municipalities impact daily life through services like water and sewerage, emergency measures planning, fire services, parks and recreation, building development permits, nuisance or animal control bylaws, and more, depending on where you live.

What Do Municipalities Do?

Municipal authority is granted by the provincial government under the Municipal Government Act (MGA). Municipalities create bylaws to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of residents and to protect people and property.

Difference Between a Community and a Municipal Government

A community is an identity tied to your neighborhood, school, church, hobbies, or sports. A municipality is a level of government that creates bylaws and provides services to residents and businesses. A community can exist within a municipality; for example, Sherwood is a community within the City of Charlottetown.

Benefits of Living in a Municipality

Municipal governance, with elected officials and professional staff, provides organized, transparent, and accountable leadership.

• Democratically elected representatives making decisions in the best interest of residents
• Quality services tailored to the area
• Development and infrastructure improvements
• Greater availability of funding
• Professional administration with a Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)
• Organized local initiatives for economic and social development
• Engagement of residents to meet their needs
• Bylaws to govern the municipality