Responsibilities of Governments
There are three levels of government in Canada, each with different responsibilities:
- Federal
- Provincial
- Municipal
The Federal Government controls things that affect the country as a whole, including:
- banking
- criminal law
- radio and television broadcasting
- the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
- air transportation
- national defence
- national parks
- international trade
- postal service
- oceans and fisheries
Provincial Governments control areas directly affecting the wellbeing of the province, including:
- education
- highways
- health care
- forestry and mining
- agriculture
- labour standards
Municipal Governments have powers passed on to them from the province. They are the cities, towns and rural municipalities (RMs). Through bylaws and other actions, municipalities in Saskatchewan can deal with a wide range of matters, including:
- health and safety of its citizens
- activities in or near public places
- vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic
- streets and roads
- property taxes
- utilities, such as water
- sewage and garbage disposal
- local police and fire protection
- parks and playgrounds
- building codes
- public transit
- local roadways and parking
- nuisances, such as noise, junked vehicles and litter
- store hours
- curfews
- animals and dangerous dogs