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2.0 community governments and the lga [2011/11/08 00:07] admin |
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| - | ==== 2.0 Community Governments and the LGA ==== | + | ====== 2.0 Community Governments and the LGA ====== |
| This section provides an overview on the history of the development of municipal governments in the NWT, explains the different roles within a municipal government, describes the LGA’s role responsibilities and highlights the legislative framework that municipal governments operate within. | This section provides an overview on the history of the development of municipal governments in the NWT, explains the different roles within a municipal government, describes the LGA’s role responsibilities and highlights the legislative framework that municipal governments operate within. | ||
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| * As a member of Council, the Mayor/Chief has the same responsibilities as other Councillors. | * As a member of Council, the Mayor/Chief has the same responsibilities as other Councillors. | ||
| - | * The Mayor/Chief is responsible for chairing meetings, signing official papers, ensuring Council’s work is done in accordance with adopted bylaws, rules and policies and supervising the LGA | + | * The Mayor/Chief is responsible for chairing meetings, signing official papers, ensuring Council’s work is done in accordance with adopted bylaws, rules and policies and supervising the LGA. |
| * The Mayor/Chief also represents the community to other levels of government, hosts special visitors, attends meetings outside the community and speaks on behalf of Council. | * The Mayor/Chief also represents the community to other levels of government, hosts special visitors, attends meetings outside the community and speaks on behalf of Council. | ||
| An individual Councillor does not possess any authority to make decisions or provide instructions. As a member of Council, a Councillor has several duties to perform, including: | An individual Councillor does not possess any authority to make decisions or provide instructions. As a member of Council, a Councillor has several duties to perform, including: | ||
| - | * understand current issues and staying in touch with what people in the community want (and don’t want). | + | * understanding current issues and staying in touch with what people in the community want (and don’t want), |
| - | * represent the interests of the public (all people in the community) . | + | * representing the interests of the public (all people in the community), |
| - | * gather and consider information (reports, documents, expert advice etc). | + | * gathering and consider information (reports, documents, expert advice etc), |
| - | * take time to think about decisions and making decisions based on what has been heard and what has been learned. | + | * taking time to think about decisions and making decisions based on what has been heard and what has been learned, |
| - | * follow proper procedures in making policies, bylaws and resolutions. | + | * following proper procedures in making policies, bylaws and resolutions, |
| - | * setting policies (which are then administered by staff) | + | * setting policies (which are then administered by staff) and |
| - | * support the decisions of Council once they are made. | + | * supporting the decisions of Council once they are made. |
| The Administration is made up of the LGA and the staff that work for the municipal government. The LGA is hired by the Council to manage the day-to-day affairs of the municipal government. | The Administration is made up of the LGA and the staff that work for the municipal government. The LGA is hired by the Council to manage the day-to-day affairs of the municipal government. | ||
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| Depending on the size of the community, the number of staff working for the municipal government can range from a few people to hundreds of people. Regardless of the community, it is important to note that the staff are hired by, and report to, the LGA. It is the LGA, not the Chief, Mayor or Councillors, who is responsible for directing and managing staff. | Depending on the size of the community, the number of staff working for the municipal government can range from a few people to hundreds of people. Regardless of the community, it is important to note that the staff are hired by, and report to, the LGA. It is the LGA, not the Chief, Mayor or Councillors, who is responsible for directing and managing staff. | ||
| - | Additional information is available in the [[http://www.nwtac.com/Files/Community%20Councillor%20Handbook.pdf|Community Councillors Handbook]]. | + | Additional information is available in the [[http://www.nwtac.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2014/01/Community-Councillor-Handbook1.pdf|Community Councillors Handbook]]. |
| ==== 2.3 LGA Role and Responsibilities ==== | ==== 2.3 LGA Role and Responsibilities ==== | ||
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| Each type of community government is established by, and gets its authority from, specific legislation. The acts mentioned below and their associated regulations spell out a municipal government’s authority and how it may operate. It is essential that a Council and the LGA be familiar with the provisions of the act and regulations that apply to their community. | Each type of community government is established by, and gets its authority from, specific legislation. The acts mentioned below and their associated regulations spell out a municipal government’s authority and how it may operate. It is essential that a Council and the LGA be familiar with the provisions of the act and regulations that apply to their community. | ||
| - | * //[[http://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/pdf/ACTS/Cities_Towns_Villages.pdf|Cities, Towns and Villages Act]]// – applies to Yellowknife, Hay River, Inuvik, Fort Smith, Norman Wells and Fort Simpson. These larger municipalities have extensive powers including raising substantial revenues through municipal taxation, ability to borrow money, full bylaw authorities and ability to acquire Commissioner’s Lands and administer lands within the municipal boundary. | + | * //[[http://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/PDF/ACTS/Cities%20Towns%20and%20Villages.pdf|Cities, Towns and Villages Act]]// – applies to Yellowknife, Hay River, Inuvik, Fort Smith, Norman Wells and Fort Simpson. These larger municipalities have extensive powers including raising substantial revenues through municipal taxation, ability to borrow money, full bylaw authorities and ability to acquire Commissioner’s Lands and administer lands within the municipal boundary. |
| * //[[http://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/pdf/ACTS/Hamlets.pdf|Hamlets Act]]// – applies to smaller municipalities including Aklavik, Enterprise, Fort Liard, Fort McPherson, Fort Providence, Fort Resolution, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Tuktoyaktuk, Tulita and Ulukhaktok. Hamlets have similar powers as Cities, Towns or Villages but none are currently municipal taxing authorities. | * //[[http://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/pdf/ACTS/Hamlets.pdf|Hamlets Act]]// – applies to smaller municipalities including Aklavik, Enterprise, Fort Liard, Fort McPherson, Fort Providence, Fort Resolution, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Tuktoyaktuk, Tulita and Ulukhaktok. Hamlets have similar powers as Cities, Towns or Villages but none are currently municipal taxing authorities. | ||
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| * //[[http://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/pdf/ACTS/Tlicho_Community_Gov.pdf|Tlicho Community Government Act]]// – applies to the four Tlicho communities (Behchoko, Wekweeti, Gameti and Whati). This Act is very similar to the //Hamlets Act// but has been modified in certain ways to be consistent with the provisions of the Tlicho Agreement. | * //[[http://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/pdf/ACTS/Tlicho_Community_Gov.pdf|Tlicho Community Government Act]]// – applies to the four Tlicho communities (Behchoko, Wekweeti, Gameti and Whati). This Act is very similar to the //Hamlets Act// but has been modified in certain ways to be consistent with the provisions of the Tlicho Agreement. | ||
| - | * //[[http://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/pdf/ACTS/Charter%20Communities.pdf|Charter Communities Act]]// – applies to the communities of Deline, Fort Good Hope and Tsiigehtchic. Charter communities have similar powers as Hamlets except that the details in the charter determine the leadership. Generally, the Chief of the First Nation Council is appointed to head the community government. | + | * //[[http://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/PDF/ACTS/Charter%20Communities.pdf|Charter Communities Act]]// – applies to the communities of Deline, Fort Good Hope and Tsiigehtchic. Charter communities have similar powers as Hamlets except that the details in the charter determine the leadership. Generally, the Chief of the First Nation Council is appointed to head the community government. |
| * First Nations / Designated Authorities – these communities include Behdzi Ahda First Nation (Colville Lake), Jean Marie River First Nation, K’atlodeeche First Nation (Hay River Reserve), Ka’a’gee Tu First Nation (Kakisa), Lutsel K’e First Nation, Nahanni Butte First Nation, Sambaa K’e Dene Band (Trout Lake), Pehdzeh Ki First Nation (Wrigley) and Yellowknives Dene First Nation (Dettah). These //[[http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/I-5/ |Indian Act]]// Bands or First Nations are recognized as the primary authority in the community responsible for delivery of municipal services. Funding to deliver specific services is provided by federal or GNWT departments. Bands may borrow in areas where the federal government guarantees lending. They may also set their own election practices based on their custom practices. | * First Nations / Designated Authorities – these communities include Behdzi Ahda First Nation (Colville Lake), Jean Marie River First Nation, K’atlodeeche First Nation (Hay River Reserve), Ka’a’gee Tu First Nation (Kakisa), Lutsel K’e First Nation, Nahanni Butte First Nation, Sambaa K’e Dene Band (Trout Lake), Pehdzeh Ki First Nation (Wrigley) and Yellowknives Dene First Nation (Dettah). These //[[http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/I-5/ |Indian Act]]// Bands or First Nations are recognized as the primary authority in the community responsible for delivery of municipal services. Funding to deliver specific services is provided by federal or GNWT departments. Bands may borrow in areas where the federal government guarantees lending. They may also set their own election practices based on their custom practices. | ||
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| * //**Workers Compensation Act**// – establishes a system of compulsory, no-fault mutual insurance for workers and employers that provides for the sustainable payment of compensation to injured or diseased workers. | * //**Workers Compensation Act**// – establishes a system of compulsory, no-fault mutual insurance for workers and employers that provides for the sustainable payment of compensation to injured or diseased workers. | ||
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