Learn more about each level of government
Are you familiar with the different levels of government? Do you know how they work together to deliver programs and services? The City of Vaughan operates within a two-tier municipal structure, which means there are two levels of government providing services to the Vaughan community – the local municipality (the City) and the regional municipality (York Region).
The City also works closely with its government counterparts at the provincial and federal levels. Each level of government has different roles and responsibilities to conduct daily business, deliver citizen services or respond to a declared emergency.
Learn more about each of them below.
The City of Vaughan is responsible for –
animal services
building permits
burial permits
development applications and zoning plans
fire and rescue services
municipal by-law enforcement
organic, garbage and recycling collection
park and amenity closures
parking enforcement
property standards enforcement
property tax billing
recreation and fitness services
road maintenance on local roads, such as Ansley Grove Road, Chancellor Drive, Kipling Avenue, Woodbridge Avenue and more
water and wastewater distribution
winter maintenance on local roads, such as Creditstone Road, Edgeley Boulevard, Martin Grove Road, Vaughan Mills Road and more
York Region is responsible for –
ambulance and paramedic services
court services
family and children services
housing and shelter support services
long-term care
police services
public health
public housing
regional transportation services (York Region Transit, vivaNext)
road maintenance on regional roads, such as Bathurst Street, Dufferin Street, Keele Street, Major Mackenzie Drive, Weston Road and more
social assistance services
solid waste management
water and wastewater treatment
winter maintenance for regional roads, such as Highway 7, Islington Avenue, Jane Street, Langstaff Road, Rutherford Road and more
Watch this video for a better understanding of York Region’s structure.
For a full list of regional roads, view this map.
The Province of Ontario is responsible for –
colleges and universities
education
environmental services
healthcare
hospitals
LCBO
provincial highways
schools
Vaughan Council and the City of Vaughan have no jurisdiction over what gets taught to children in their schools. In Ontario, education is governed principally by the Education Act, which sets the responsibilities of the Minister of Education and the duties of school boards, school board supervisory officers, principals, teachers, parents and students. Ontario's school boards operate and administer the province's publicly-funded schools. If you have questions, comments or concerns about school curriculums, contact your child’s school directly, your schoolboard trustee or your Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP). Here are helpful links to identify who your trustee or MPP is:
Many other provincial responsibilities are shared with the federal government. For a complete list of Ontario government ministries, visit the Government of Ontario's website.
The Government of Canada is responsible for –
access to credit
business support
Canada Child Benefit
Canada Student Loans
citizenship
employee support
Employment Insurance (EI)
foreign travel and support for Canadians abroad
income supports
income tax
national defence
The federal government is made up of a variety of departments, agencies and Crown Corporations, each with their individual roles and responsibilities. For a complete listing, visit the Government of Canada's website.
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