What Are Municipalities?

We often associate municipalities with our municipal councils and the people who serve as elected officials on those councils.  Municipalities also provide essential, local services such as road maintenance, water and sewer services, and garbage collection.  Municipalities share the characteristics of having land and boundaries, providing residents with ways to make decisions about local issues, and being a focus for community activities. 

There are other forms of local governments, such as health care authorities and education boards, but the department of Municipal Affairs provides resources and expertise to municipalities and boards and associations that support municipalities. 

The provincial legislation which governs the activities of the municipalities is the Municipal Government Act.  Section 3 states that the purposes of municipalities are:

• To provide good government.
• To provide services, facilities or other things that, in the opinion of council, are necessary or desirable for all or a part of the municipality.
• To develop safe and viable communities.

Introductory Information

To read more about municipalities and the responsibilities of municipal officials, please check these pages:

• The development of local government in Alberta
• Finance and Decision-making in Local Government
• Finding your municipality (map program)
• Municipal Officials Search (finding your local councillor)
• Municipal Profiles (contains detailed information about municipalities)
• The Provision of programs and services through municipalities
• Roles and responsibilities of municipal officials
  • Key responsibilities described in the Municipal Government Act
• The Department of Municipal Affairs
• The Minister of Municipal Affairs
• Types of municipalities in Alberta
  • Urban Municipal Governments
  • Specialized Municipalities
  • Rural Municipal Government