Canadian municipalities, as key players in local governance, play an essential role in the development of public policies and the creation of healthy environments. As partners of public health actors, municipalities contribute to improving the living conditions and wellbeing of local communities.
To facilitate such collaboration, the NCCPH, has made available a selection of online guides and resources that provide details about the functioning of municipal administrations across Canada, including information on their structure, the roles and responsibilities of councils, budgeting and decision-making processes, citizen participation, and intergovernmental relations, including with Indigenous communities. These resources will be helpful for public health actors and other interested parties in identifying ways to collaborate effectively with municipalities.
This work was carried out as part of a collaboration between the NCCHPP, Carole Clavier (Université du Québec à Montréal and the Groupe d’étude sur les politiques publiques et la santé des populations [GÉPPS]) and Marie-Ève Couture-Ménard (Université de Sherbrooke and the GÉPPS).
Click on a province or territory below to view a list of resources.
Alberta
Municipal guides and municipal association guides
1. Title: What every councillor needs to know. A council member’s handbook
Publication date: 2021
Author: Government of Alberta
Additional resources
1. Title: Public participation in municipal government
Publication date: Undated
Author: Municipal Affairs – Government of Alberta
Type of resource: Web page
2. Title: Governance
Publication date: 2024
Author: Association of Alberta Municipalities
Type of resource: Web page
British Columbia
Municipal guides and municipal association guides
1. Title: Local Government Fact Sheets. A Reference Guide to Local Government Planning & Operations
Publication date: 2022
Author: Union of BC Municipalities
2. Title: Procedure Bylaw Guide: For B.C.’s Local Governments
Publication date: 2022
Authors: Ministry of Municipal Affairs – Government of Alberta and Local Government Management Association of British Columbia
3. Title: Candidate’s Guide to Local Elections in B.C.
Publication date: 2022
Author: Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Government of British Columbia
Additional resources
No additional resources identified.
Manitoba
Municipal guides and municipal association guides
1. Title: Council Member’s Guide. Once Elected, What’s Expected?
Publication date: 2022
Authors: Association of Manitoba Municipalities, Manitoba Municipal Administrators, Government of Manitoba
Additional resources
No additional resources identified.
New Brunswisk
Municipal guides and municipal association guides
1. Title: A Guide to the Local Governance Act
Publication date: 2018
Author: Department of Environment and Local Government
Additional resources
1. Title: Roles, responsibilities & relationships in a local government
Publication date: 2018
Author: Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick
Type of resource: PowerPoint presentation
Newfoundland and Labrador
Municipal guides and municipal association guides
1. Title: Municipal Council HANDBOOK
Author: Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Publication date: 2021
Additional resources
1. Title: Municipal Leadership Essentials: A Guide to Good Governance
Author: Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador
Publication date: Undated
Type of resource: Web page
Northwest Territories
Municipal guides and municipal association guides
1. Title: Community Councillor Handbook
Publication date: 2009
Authors: NWT Association of Communities (NWTAC), NWT Department of Municipal and Community Affairs
Additional resources
No additional resources identified.
Nova Scotia
Municipal guides and municipal association guides
1. Title: Guide for New Municipal Councillors
Publication date: 2024
Author: Municipal Affairs and Housing – Government of Nova Scotia
Additional resources
No additional resources identified.
Nunavut
Municipal guides and municipal association guides
1. Title: Nunavut Councillors Handbook
Publication date: 2019
Author: Nunavut Municipal Training Organization
Additional resources
1. Title: Programs and Services
Publication date: Undated
Author: Nunavut Association of Municipalities
Type of resource: Web page
Ontario
Municipal guides and municipal association guides
1. Title: The Ontario municipal councillor’s guide
Publication date: 2018
Author: Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing – Government of Ontario
Additional resources
1. Title: How Local Government Works
Publication date: Undated
Author: Association of Municipalities of Ontario
Type of resource: Web page
Prince Edward Island
Municipal guides and municipal association guides
1. Title: Local Government Resource Handbook. Guide to the Municipal Government Act 2nd Edition
Publication date: 2022
Author: Government of Prince Edward Island
Additional resources
1. Title: Welcome to Municipal Government!
Publication date: 2021
Author: Government of Prince Edward Island
Type of resource: PowerPoint presentation
2. Title: Open Municipal Government Toolkit
Author: Federation of Prince Edward Island Municipalities
Publication date: Undated
Type of resource: Web page
Québec
Municipal guides and municipal association guides
1. Title: Guide d’accueil et de référence pour les élues et les élus municipaux
Publication date: 2023
Author: Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation du Québec – Gouvernement du Québec
2. Title: Outils de référence pour les nouvelles élues et les nouveaux élus municipaux
Publication date: 2023
Author: Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation du Québec – Gouvernement du Québec
Additional resources
1. Title: Lourdeur administrative et efficience
Publication date: Undated
Author: Union des Municipalités du Québec
Type of resource: Web page
Saskatchewan
Municipal guides and municipal association guides
1. Title: Municipal Administration Reference Guide
Publication date: 2023
Author: Government of Saskatchewan
2. Title: Council Member’s Handbook. For Saskatchewan Municipalities
Publication date: 2024
Author: Government of Saskatchewan
Additional resources
1. Title: Municipal Administrator Resources
Publication date: Undated
Author: Government of Saskatchewan
Type of resource: Web page/Online resource directory
2. Title: Tools, Guides and Resources for Municipalities
Publication date: Undated
Author: Government of Saskatchewan
Type of resource: Web page
3. Title: FAQS on Municipal Governance
Publication date: Undated
Author: Ministry of Government Relations – Advisory Services and Municipal Relations
Type of resource: PDF document
Yukon
Municipal guides and municipal association guides
1. Title: Summary of Land Management Authorities within Yukon Municipalities. Reference Guide for Municipal Officers and Yukon Government Lands Officers
Publication date: 2016
Author: Yukon Government, Association of Yukon Communities
Additional resources
1. Title: 20 Questions on Municipal Strategy. Companion Guide
Publication date: 2015
Author: Association of Yukon Communities
Type of resource: Online guide