Roles & Responsibilities

Understanding who does what in government can be tricky—especially when services overlap. Here's a breakdown of how different levels of government operate and how they affect day-to-day life in Brooks.

Municipal Government

Municipal governments, like the City of Brooks, are responsible for establishing local bylaws and delivering services that directly impact the community. While municipal governments can include cities, towns, counties, and villages, Brooks is a city that provides essential services such as:

• Fire protection
• Road maintenance and snow removal
• Parks and green space upkeep
• Garbage and recycling collection
• Water and sewer services

These services are funded primarily through property taxes, user fees, and contributions from developers. Municipalities also advocate for funding from higher levels of government to support local needs.

Provincial Government

The Government of Alberta makes decisions that impact the entire province. This includes areas like:

• Education
• Health care and hospitals
• Provincial highways and transportation
• Affordable housing and homeless supports
• Provincial taxes
• Child welfare and age of majority laws

If you have concerns about any of these issues, your local MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) is your go-to representative.

Federal Government

The Government of Canada oversees services and policies that affect the whole country. Some examples include:

• National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces
• The postal service
• Immigration and citizenship
• Passports
• Federal taxes and employment insurance
• Indigenous affairs

Your Member of Parliament (MP) represents Brooks and surrounding areas at the federal level.

So, who handles what?

Some responsibilities are easy to assign—National Defence, for example, is clearly federal. But others, like housing, addictions, or mental health supports, may involve both the provincial and federal governments. In many cases, municipalities like Brooks end up on the front lines of service delivery, especially when funding from other levels falls short.

How is it all funded?

To deliver services, municipalities rely on a mix of funding:

• Municipal property taxes
• Provincial and federal government grants
• Developer levies
• User fees (like facility rentals or utility charges)

When other levels of government reduce funding or shift responsibility, Municipalities often step in to fill the gap—despite having fewer financial resources. That’s why the City of Brooks advocates for strong support from both provincial and federal governments.

Residents are encouraged to contact their MP or MLA if they have concerns about programs or funding that impact local services.