Three Levels of Government

In Canada, there are three levels of government: Federal, Provincial, and Municipal with specific responsibilities each. Each level of government plays a crucial role in ensuring the well-being and functioning of Canadian society.

Federal Government: Government of Canada

The federal government has the power to “make laws for the peace, order, and good government of Canada.” It handles subjects such as foreign policy, national defense, income taxes, and national parks. 

Other areas under federal jurisdiction include citizenship and immigration, employment insurance, and telecommunications.

Canada Post, the Bank of Canada, and the census also fall within federal responsibilities.

Provincial Government: Government of Alberta

Provincial governments are responsible for issues explicitly outlined in Canada’s written constitution (the Constitution Act, 1867). They manage schools, colleges and universities; oversee hospitals and long-term care; maintain highways and provincial parks; regulate natural resources and environment; and administer the legal system in Alberta.

Municipal Government: City of Medicine Hat

Municipalities handle services within their local boundaries. Their powers are determined by the provincial government, in this case Alberta's Municipal Government Act.

Federal
  • Aboriginal Lands and Rights
  • Citizenship and Immigration
  • Criminal Law
  • Competition
  • Copyright
  • Employment Insurance
  • Foreign Policy
  • Income Taxes
  • Money and Banking (Bank of Canada)
  • National Defence/Military
  • National parks
  • Telecommunications and broadcasting (internet, phones and TV)
  • Trade and Commerce
  • Canada Post Office
  • Census
Provincial
  • Administration of Justice
  • Education (including colleges and universities)
  • Healthcare (primarily)
  • Long-Term Care
  • Highways
  • Hospitals
  • Labour standards
  • Natural Resources and Environment
  • Prisons
  • Property and Civil Rights in Alberta
  • Provincial parks
  • Sales tax
  • Social Services
  • Transportation

 

Municipal
  • Public Transit
  • Garbage Collection and Recycling
  • Fire Services
  • Building Permits
  • Parks and Recreation
  • Police Services
  • Property Taxes/Assessments
  • Roads/Sidewalks
  • Water and Sewage Management

Medicine Hat is unique compared to many other municipalities since we are granted the ability to own and operate our own electricity and natural gas utilities.

Overlapping responsibilities

Sometimes, responsibilities overlap between the different levels of government, known as areas of concurrent jurisdiction. This is most common between Federal and Provincial governments. In certain areas, such as taxation, agriculture, public health, old age pensions, and natural resource extraction, both levels of government can pass laws, though if there is a conflict, the dispute may be settled through the justice ​system.​