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1. Analyze the structure and functions of local governments in Alberta by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:
(a) How are representatives chosen to form a local government (i.e., electoral process)?
(a) How are representatives chosen to form a local government (i.e., electoral process)?
- We vote using a secret ballot
- In Calgary we elect Councillors who represent each of the 14 Wards in Calgary
- Panorama Hills is part of Ward 3. Our Councillor is Jim Stevenson.
- The head of our government is a Mayor
- Mayor Nenshi is the current Mayor
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Steps in an election:
- must be a Canadian citizen and reside in the area they are running in
- be nominated by the minimum number of voters in their district
** a candidate is still eligible to vote in the election
telephone calls
talking to candidates who knock on their door
- An election is called
- Candidates ensure they meet the required criteria
- must be a Canadian citizen and reside in the area they are running in
- be nominated by the minimum number of voters in their district
** a candidate is still eligible to vote in the election
- A candidate's name is placed on the official ballot
- Candidates organize a campaign committee
telephone calls
- Citizens share ideas and opinions
talking to candidates who knock on their door
- Candidates make speeches, participate in debates
- Voting Day!
- All voters must bring their IDs to the polling station
- An election official checks all IDs to ensure individuals are registered/eligible to vote
- Each voter is given a ballot with all of the candidates names (listed alphabetically)
- Voters go into a voting booth and individually mark their choice with an "X"
- Once finished, voters place their ballot into a ballot box
- Results are counted and the winner is announced
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(b) What are the responsibilities of local governments (i.e., bylaws, taxes, services)?
- There are many responsibilities of Calgary's municipal government:
- Collect city taxes (which pay for the responsibilities listed below)
- Police, Fire & EMS services
- Public Transportation (buses & C-Train)
- Recreation Services (Leisure Centers, skating rinks, city golf courses etc...)
- Public Libraries
- Waste Management (landfills, garbage collection, blue bin recycling)
- Water & Sewage
- Calgary Airport
- Pet licenses & animal control
- City roads (this does not include highways)
(c) How are local governments structured differently in rural and urban settings?
(d) What role is played by school boards (i.e., public, separate, Francophone) within local communities?
- Smaller towns will likely have a smaller government with fewer councillors, since fewer people live in the area
- First Nations areas typically elect a Chief, rather than a Mayor
- Smaller towns will collect a much smaller amount of property taxes, which means they have fewer services to offer
- Rural areas may have fewer responsibilities (ie: they may not have a public transit system, if they are a smaller town or their fire department might be a volunteer department, rather than a constantly staffed one)
(d) What role is played by school boards (i.e., public, separate, Francophone) within local communities?
- There are three different types of school boards:
- Public School Boards (which is what CNGS is part of) - responsible for schools that are available to any member of the public
- Separate School Boards - usually for students of Roman Catholic faith. Families must have a religious tie to the Christian faith in order to attend a separate school.
- Francophone School Boards - responsible for the education of Francophone students in the French language. These can be either Catholic or public (both exist in Calgary). This school board was created to meet Francophone rights as an official language minority group in Alberta.