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Power and Purpose:Canadian Municipal Law in Transition

Author

Listed:
  • Zack Taylor

    (University of Western Ontario)

  • Alec Dobson

    (Western University)

Abstract

This overview of municipal law in Canada’s 10 provinces identifies similarities and variations among and within provinces in the articulation of municipal purposes and the provincial-municipal relationship, municipal powers and jurisdiction, the organization of municipal institutions, and finance. The paper also comments on asymmetrical arrangements for large cities, commonly referred to as city charters. Far from being static, Canadian municipal law is in a period of transition. The legal scope of municipal authority has expanded over the past 25 years as most provinces have revised their general municipal acts and adopted special laws for major cities. While the overall trend has been toward more permissive authority and the recognition of municipalities as democratic, accountable, and responsible governments, there are significant variations across the provinces, and some have gone further than others in expanding the legal authority of municipalities. We conclude that the practical potential of this wave of legislative reform remains unknown and perhaps unrealized, and requires further research.

Suggested Citation

  • Zack Taylor & Alec Dobson, 2020. "Power and Purpose:Canadian Municipal Law in Transition," IMFG Papers 47, University of Toronto, Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance.
    • Handle: RePEc:mfg:wpaper:47
    as

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    File URL: https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/bitstream/1807/99780/1/IMFG_Paper_No47_Power_and_Purpose_Taylor_Dobson.pdf
    File Function: First version, 2020
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Agrawal, Sandeep & Gretzinger, Cody & Lowerre, Andrew, 2022. "Trends, motivations, and land use outcomes of municipal annexation: A case of Alberta, Canada," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Municipal governance;

    JEL classification:

    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • H70 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - General

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