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Government Contacts
Issues are best managed when everyone understands the distinct roles and responsibilities of different levels of government. For example, a Member of Parliament (MP) cannot make decisions about local zoning, just as a Mayor cannot make decisions about immigration.
On this page
Video: Levels of government
Responsibilities of government
The responsibilities of federal, provincial, and municipal governments in Ontario are defined by the Constitution Act of 1867. Here’s a breakdown of their roles:
Federal Government
Canada
Main focus:
- National and international affairs
Responsibilities include:
- Airports and air travel
- Criminal law (Criminal Code)
- Currency and banking
- Defence (Canadian Armed Forces)
- Employment Insurance (EI)
- Fisheries and oceans
- Foreign affairs and international trade
- Immigration and citizenship
- Indigenous affairs
- Postal service
- Telecommunications and internet regulation
Provincial Government
Ontario
Main focus:
- Regional issues and services
Responsibilities include:
- Colleges and universities
- Education (elementary to high school)
- Healthcare (hospitals, OHIP)
- Labour laws (minimum wage, workplace safety)
- Liquor and cannabis regulation
- Natural resources and the environment
- Property and civil rights
- Provincial courts and civil law
- Social services (social assistance, disability support, policy, regulations, funding)
- Transportation (provincial highways like the 401)
Municipal Government
Norfolk County
Main focus:
- Infrastructure and local services
Responsibilities include:
- Building permits and inspections
- Garbage collection and recycling
- Libraries and community centers
- Local police and fire services
- Local roads and snow removal
- Parks and recreation
- Property taxes
- Public transit
- Social services program delivery and direct support to community members
- Water and sewage
- Zoning and land use planning
Contact Norfolk's municipal government representatives: Mayor and Councillors
How government works together
As an example, all levels of government play a role in housing.
Federal
- Provides funding through programs like the National Housing Strategy
- Supports affordable housing and homelessness initiatives across Canada
- Works with provinces and cities via Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
Provincial
- Oversees landlord-tenant laws (Residential Tenancies Act)
- Funds and regulates social and community housing
- Sets housing-related building codes and standards
Municipal (Norfolk County)
- Issues zoning by-laws and approves development projects
- Provides services to people experiencing homelessness (shelters, outreach)
- Enforces property standards
Who to contact
Member of Parliament (MP)
Elected to: House of Commons in Ottawa
Represents: A federal riding (electoral district) in Canada
Main role:
- Debates and votes on national laws
- Canada-wide issues like immigration, defence, foreign policy
- Often part of a political party (Liberal, Conservative, NDP, etc.)
Example: Contact your MP for immigration, income taxes, or national health funding
Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP)
Level: Provincial (Ontario)
Elected to: Legislative Assembly of Ontario (in Toronto)
Represents: A provincial riding
Main role:
- Debates and passes provincial laws
Ontario-specific issues like education, healthcare, highways, housing
Often part of a political party (Liberal, Conservative, NDP, etc.)
Example: Contact your MPP for OHIP, public schools, provincial disability support
Mayor
Level: Municipal
Elected to: Head of a Municipal Council
Represents: The entire County
Main role:
- Leads the County council
- Sets local priorities (e.g. housing, public safety, transit)
- Acts as the public face of the County
- Doesn’t pass laws like MPs or MPPs, but helps create by-laws and County budgets
Example: Contact your Mayor for snow removal, curbside waste collection, and local infrastructure (roads, sewers)
Councillor
Level: Municipal
Elected to: Municipal Council (along with the Mayor)
Represents: A Ward (smaller area of the County)
Main role:
- Votes on County by-laws and budgets
- Works closely with residents to resolve local concerns
- Helps shape policies around zoning, public services, parks and safety
Example: Contact your Councillor for local traffic calming, neighborhood issues, or a new housing proposal in your neighborhood
