Municipal Capacity
Municipalities play an important role in providing local services across PEI. Municipalities are facing increasingly complex responsibilities and expectations from their residents and from provincial and federal governments. In many areas, there is limited capacity to meet expectations. Services are being provided at different levels, standards and costs across PEI and are used by municipal residents and non-residents alike.
All communities are facing challenges such as population shifts, infrastructure demands, environmental concerns and climate change impacts.
- There are opportunities for communities to work together to create stronger municipalities to address challenges and build capacity to respond.
How can living in a municipality benefit me?
Local governments provides people with a local voice and the means to promote local initiatives and priorities that are important to the people in that area.
The municipal governing structure of elected officials and professional staff provides organized, transparent, and accountable leadership.
- Democratically elected representatives making decisions in the best interest of residents in the area.
- Quality services to the area
- Development and infrastructure
- Potentially greater availability of funding
- Professional administration with a Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)
- Organized local initiatives for economic and social development
- Engagement of residents to provide for their needs
- Bylaws to govern the municipality
What services can municipalities provide?
On PEI, municipal governments must provide: administration, fire protection, emergency management, and land use planning.
Below are some of the services municipalities may provide:
- Fire services
- Land-use planning, zoning, sub-division, and development permits
- Emergency management (E.g. warming centres for weather events and power outages)
- Public utilities (water, sewer, energy)
- Recreational services (rinks, centres, halls, programming, active transportation, etc.)
- Libraries
- Policing and enforcement services
- Sidewalks, streets and lighting
- Public transit
- And more.
Municipalities collect taxes and user fees to enable them to provide services.
Why should I pay for municipal services I do not use?
Many services that benefit a wider area are used by residents and non-residents of municipalities, such as: parks, rinks, trails, land use planning, emergency planning, libraries or community halls.
Services, such as land use planning and emergency planning, are provided to protect broader public interests such as health and safety, water quality and protection of resource land or natural areas.
All municipalities must ensure their residents receive fire protection. Some municipalities own their fire departments while others purchase fire services from private companies or another municipality.
Where can I get more information about property taxes in PEI?
Visit Property Taxes and Charges for more detailed information about property tax and assessment.
What is the difference between a community and a municipal government?
Community is an identity that could be connected to the neighbourhood or area you live in, where you go to school or church, your hobbies or what sports you participate in. Municipalities are a level of government that can include your communities. Municipality is level of government or governing body that creates bylaws and provides services to residents and businesses. A community can be within a municipality; for example, Sherwood is a community within the City of Charlottetown.
How can I find out about my municipality?
Some municipalities have a website to keep residents informed. In other areas, you may have to contact the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for specific questions or concerns.