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