The local government of Toronto, Mississauga and Markham

Although Canada operates as a constitutional monarchy, local and municipal governments are quite similar to those of the United States. Often, even Canadian citizens overlook the importance of municipal government, as proven by voter turnout for local elections. "Nonetheless, municipal governments have a crucial impact on the lives of their residents: the elected administrative officials of the cities, town, counties, and districts of Canada are responsible for determining policies and delivering vital services to their residents" (Krause and Wagenberg 1995, 411).

Similar to the United States, local governments vary in structure for each city, town, village, or township. "The head of the local government is usually a mayor, reeve, warden, or overseer. Other council members are called controllers, aldermen, or councillors. Municipal governments direct such activities as road repair, water supply, and police and fire protection. They gain much of their revenue from property taxes" (World Book Encyclopedia, s.v. "Canada"). This paper will explore the municipal governments of Toronto and two of its suburbs, Mississauga and Markham, in Ontario, Canada.

Toronto:

Toronto, with a population of around 2.5 million people, has the largest government of these three cities. Toronto, however, was not always this large. In fact, it was not until January 2, 1998 that "six municipalities and their 2.4m people were amalgamated into an enlarged Toronto" ("Toronto Enlarged" 1998, p38). Due to its scale and controversy, this issue will be explored further in the future.

As the government stands at the present time, the most important part of the city's government is the city council. "Toronto City Council is comprised of the Mayor and 44 City Councillors, one representing each of the city's wards. The council is the main governing and legislative body for the city" (Members of Toronto City Council 2003 - 2006).

The council works through several types of committees in order to pass legislation. The primary committees are standing committees in the areas of: policy and finance, administration, planning and transportation, economic development and parks, works, and community service. "Each standing committee has a clear set of responsibilities, as set out in the City's Procedural By-law. They have distinct mandates in areas of public service delivery and corporate operations, including: monitoring current program delivery, service levels and emerging issues, recommending policy and program changes, and providing a forum for public participation and for detailed discussion of the City's decision-making" (Toronto Council Committee Structure). Four additional committees (the Community Council, the Striking Committee, the Nominating Committee, and the Audit Committee) and the Board of Health also report to the City Council on many issues. All responsibilities are set out by the Council's Procedural By-laws.

While the City Council of Toronto seems large, it is necessary for a city if such a large population. The structure of municipal government, albeit similar, differs for each city in Canada.

Mississauga

While Mississauga, Ontario is not nearly as large as Toronto, this city is acknowledged to be the sixth largest city in Canada with a population of almost 625,000. Although the governmental structure is not nearly the size of Toronto's, this city also operates under a council system. "The governing body of the City if Mississauga is City Council. It consists of the Mayor and Councillors, one from each of the City's nine wards. Members of Council are elected by residents to a three-year term of office" (How Council Works).

In addition to regular Council meetings, there are many committees that the Council representatives are appointed to, including the Accessibility Advisory Committee, the Heritage Advisory Committee, the Safe Driving Committee, the Cycling Advisory Committee, and many others. Furthermore, citizens are often appointed by the council to participate in some of the numerous committees.

While there is little specific information on the exact structure of Mississauga's government, it is clear that much of the work is done through the many committees and departments that make up the government. These committees and departments make recommendations to the Council, who then pass, amend, or reject any proposed legislation.

Markham

According to the City's website, Markham, formed in 1971, has a population of almost 220,000 citizens, almost as large as that of Mississauga (Planning & Urban Design - Population Statistics).

Similar to both Toronto and Mississauga, the primary governing body consists of a mayor and city council members. "Municipal, or local government, is responsible for handling the affairs of the local area, and mak[ing] laws and provid[ing] services for its own municipality. Services can include: fire and emergency services, garbage collection, local roads and sidewalks, snow plowing, operation of libraries, maintenance of parks and recreation facilities, planning of new neighbourhoods, building regulations, and more....It is Council's job to make decisions about municipal services, and to use the money it collects from its taxpayers as wisely as possible" (All about Markham Municipal Government). However, unlike the other cities discussed, the council not only consists of the mayor and eight councillors who represent the City's eight wards, but also has four additional regional councillors. All terms are for three years. The Mayor and Regional Councillors are elected city wide, while the citizens of each ward elect a Councillor as representative.

Markham also works under a committee system. There are four standing committees: Community Services and Environment Committee, Development Services Committee, Finance and Administrative Committee, and the Transportation Committee. In addition to the four standing committees, there are numerous advisory committees, some of which include: Main Street Markham Committee, Canada Day Committee, and the Markham Public Library Board.

There are several ways in which issues are brought to the council for consideration. "Usually, matters come before the council in three basic ways: members of council bring issues that concern them to council's attention; the Tow staff identify problems and ask council to consider them; [and] individuals, businesses or institutions can ask council t consider a matter that affects them" (All about Markham Municipal Government).

While the governments all seem similar in these three cities, the governments are clearly tailored to best fit the needs of each citizen. Even their own citizens often overlook these governments, while they work to bring much needed services to the citizens they reside over.

Bibliograhpy

"All About Markham Municipal Government." City of Markham website, accessed 13 Feb. 2004; available from http://www.markham.ca/markham/channels/council/govt.htm

"How Council Works." City of Mississauga website, accessed 13 Feb. 2004; available from http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/cityhall/howcouncilworks

Krause, Robert M. and R.H. Wagenberg. Introductory Readings in Canadian Government and Politics. 2nd ed. Mississauga, Ontario: Copp Clark, 1995.

"Members of Toronto City Council 2003 - 2006." City of Toronto website, accessed 9 Feb. 2004; available from http://app.toronto.ca/im/council/councillors.jsp

"Planning & Urban Design - Population Statistics." City of Markham website, accessed 13 Feb. 2004; available from http://www.markham.ca/markham/channels/planning/hisforepopgthest.htm

"Toronto Council Committee Structure." City of Toronto website, accessed 9 Feb. 2004; available from http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/council/structure.htm

"Toronto Enlarged." Economist, 3 Jan. 1998, 38.

World Book Encyclopedia, 2002 ed.