Role of the City, Provincial & Federal Government Learning Guide

What Do Canadian Cities Do?

With three levels of government in Canada it can be hard to keep track of who does what. Below is a chart of the roles of cities, provinces and the federal government.

There are some roles that belong only to the Federal government including: money and banking, international and interprovincial/territorial trade, airlines and railways, telecommunications and broadcasting, foreign affairs and international assistance, defence and veterans affairs, border security employment insurance and criminal law.

Role of the City, Province & Federal Government learning guide brochure

Roles and Responsibilities in Canada

Federal (F), Provincial (P), Municipal (M)

	F	P	M
Aboriginal peoples
Administration of justice
Agriculture
Arts and culture facilities/events
Bylaw enforcement
Direct taxation
Economic development
Emergency medical services
Emergency preparedness
Environment
Fire protection
Health care *
Housing
Hydro services
Immigration
Indirect taxation
Industry
Municipal institutions
Municipal licensing (animal, building, business)
Municipal planning
Municipal streets and roads
Natural resources
Parking
Parks and recreation
Pensions/income support *
Policing
Post-secondary education, training and research
Primary and secondary education
Public health
Public libraries
Public transit
Social assistance and social services
Transportation infrastructure
Waste and recycling services
Water and wastewater
“our cities, our future” Addressing the fiscal imbalance in Canada’s cities today, Big City Mayors’ Caucus, June 2006

* provided by some municipalities