In Canada, governments follow a legal structure that lays out who does what. At the very top is the Canadian Constitution, which divides power between the federal and provincial governments. But what about cities and towns? They aren’t included in the Constitution. Instead, municipalities in Ontario exist entirely because the provincial government allows them to, through laws like the Municipal Act, 2001.
This means Ontario’s municipalities are often called “creatures of the province”—a label that highlights how much control the Province has over local governments. Whether it’s approving by-laws, deciding funding, or setting rules for land use, the Province has the final say. For residents, this explains why cities like Mississauga sometimes seem limited in what they can do. Let’s break down how this relationship works.
Most Rules Come from the Province
Municipalities in Ontario exist because the Province created them, and the Province can change or even dissolve them. For example, in 1997, the Ontario government merged six separate municipalities into what we now know as the City of Toronto. This decision was made despite pushback from residents. Likewise, in 1974, the Province merged municipalities including Streetsville and Port Credit into our City of Mississauga. Even when cities pass their own by-laws—like rules for zoning or noise levels—those by-laws must follow provincial laws. If they don’t, the Province can overrule them.
Setting the Financial Framework
Running a city is expensive, and municipalities don’t have much flexibility when it comes to raising money. Their main sources of income are property taxes, user fees (like those for parking or sports programs), and grants from the Province. However, the Province sets the rules for how municipalities can collect and spend that money. This includes the Province creating new responsibilities for municipalities or cutting sources of revenue. For example, the Province recently cut some of the fees municipalities charge developers, putting more pressure on already tight budgets.
Deciding Many Local Issues
Municipalities handle day-to-day services like roads, parks, and public transit. However, Province can step in and make big decisions about how land is used or how services are delivered. For example, the Province sets service standards for everything from road maintenance to physical accessibility to environmental protection. These standards and regulations set what municipalities are required to do. Meanwhile, Ontario prerogatives such as Ministerial Zoning Orders (MZOs) allow the Province to fast-track development projects by bypassing local planning processes.
Setting Larger Strategies
In addition to municipalities setting their own agenda and rules for governing—they also have to follow provincial priorities. This has included laws like the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, which gives mayors more authority to push through provincial goals, like building more housing, even if councils disagree. Cities also have to follow provincial plans like the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, which sets long-term goals for urban development, public transit, and environmental protection.
The Reason It Matters
Mississauga Council makes decisions about the services you use every day, from stormwater infrastructure to recreation programs. However, we don’t operate in a vacuum. Many of our powers and funding tools are set by the Province. This relationship means that when you’re advocating for change in your community, the Province is often part of the picture. Whatever the policy you care about, it’s helpful to know which parts of an issue fall to us and which to the Government of Ontario. By understanding how Ontario’s municipalities operate, you’ll have a better sense of who to hold accountable and how to push for the changes you want to see in Mississauga.
