Canada Municipal Civic Engagement Guide
Municipal engagement goes beyond elections
In October 2026, municipal elections were held in British Columbia and Ontario.
Civic engagement does not end on Election Day. Over the next few years, newly elected city councils will discuss and make decisions on issues that directly affect our daily lives, including:
Housing | Transportation | Public spaces | Community services | Urban development
Using the 2026 municipal elections as a starting point, this guide will help you understand:
What municipal governments do
Who represents you at the municipal level
How to stay informed about local issues
How to submit comments and speak at public meetings
How to participate in public consultations and apply for public appointments
Voting is only one of the ways to get involved in municipal affairs.
Even if you are not eligible to vote, there are still many ways to make your voice heard and participate in local decision-making.
Why does municipal government matter to you?
Immigration and citizenship matters, which are often of particular concern to Hong Kong Canadians, fall under federal jurisdiction, while healthcare and most education policies are primarily the responsibility of provincial governments.
However, municipal governments also play an important role in providing services and making decisions that directly affect our daily lives, including:
Housing and urban planning: Land-use planning, development approvals, and certain housing and community programs
Public transportation: Buses, subways, and other local or regional public transit services
Roads and transportation: Roads, parking, traffic management, and pedestrian and cycling infrastructure
Parks and recreation: Parks, community centres, and recreational facilities
Public libraries: Public libraries and related community services
Public safety: Fire protection, emergency services, and certain local policing responsibilities
Waste and recycling: Garbage collection, recycling, and waste management
Water and wastewater: Drinking water supply, wastewater services, and drainage systems
Local businesses: Business licensing, municipal by-laws, and certain local business regulations
Property taxes: Levying property taxes to help fund local services and infrastructure
Community development: Public spaces, community planning, and local development
Municipal responsibilities and service delivery arrangements vary by province and municipality. Some services may also fall under the jurisdiction of regional or provincial governments or be provided by other public agencies.
Know your municipal representatives
Canadian municipalities use different systems to elect their city councillors. Knowing who represents you at the municipal level is an important first step towards participating in local civic affairs.
| Where you live | Who represents you? |
|---|---|
| Toronto | The Mayor + the City Councillor for your ward |
| Markham | The Mayor + the City Councillor for your ward + Regional Councillors elected citywide |
| Richmond Hill | The Mayor + the City Councillor for your ward + Regional and Local Councillors elected citywide |
| Vancouver | The Mayor + City Councillors elected citywide to represent the entire city |
| Burnaby | The Mayor + City Councillors elected citywide to represent the entire city |
| Richmond, BC | The Mayor + City Councillors elected citywide to represent the entire city |
| Calgary | The Mayor + City Councillors elected citywide to represent the entire city |
| Edmonton | The Mayor + City Councillors elected citywide to represent the entire city |
Markham and Richmond Hill are both part of York Region.
In addition to their local city councils, residents are also represented on York Regional Council by their respective mayors and regional councillors.
Different municipalities use different systems to elect councillors:
Toronto, Markham, Richmond Hill, Calgary, and Edmonton elect ward councillors to represent specific geographic areas. Vancouver, Burnaby, and Richmond, BC elect councillors at large, meaning they are elected by voters across the city and represent the city as a whole. Markham and Richmond Hill also elect regional councillors citywide.
Voting eligibility
Are you at least 18 years old?
↓
Are you a Canadian citizen?
→ Yes: Check whether you meet the municipal election voting eligibility requirements in your municipality.
→ No: You are not eligible to vote in municipal elections, but you can still participate in municipal affairs in other ways.
You can get involved in municipal affairs – even if you cannot vote!
Municipal government decisions affect our daily lives. Even if you are not eligible to vote, you can still stay informed, make your voice heard, and contribute to positive change in your community.
Stay informed
Follow the work of city councillors, learn about candidates, keep up with City Council decisions, and stay informed about local news.Discuss local issues
Talk with friends, family, and neighbours about issues affecting your community.Ask questions
Contact city councillors or candidates to learn about their positions on issues that matter to you.Participate in public events
Attend candidate forums, public consultations, town halls, or community meetings.Make your voice heard
Submit written comments to City Council committees or register to speak at committee meetings.Volunteer
Get involved with community organizations, advocacy groups, or election campaigns to support causes and issues you care about.Apply for public appointments
Eligible individuals can apply to serve on municipal boards, committees, or tribunals and participate directly in local decision-making. Some positions do not require Canadian citizenship or permanent resident (PR) status. Specific eligibility requirements vary by position and municipality.
Municipal civic participation: Canadian citizens vs. non-citizen residents
You do not need to be a Canadian citizen to participate in municipal affairs.
| Ways to participate | Canadian citizens | Permanent residents (PRs) / other non-citizen residents |
|---|---|---|
| Stay informed about municipal issues | ✓ | ✓ |
| Contact elected representatives | ✓ | ✓ |
| Participate in public consultations | ✓ | ✓ |
| Submit comments or register to speak at public meetings | ✓ | ✓ |
| Participate in community and civic organizations | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apply to serve on municipal boards or public bodies | ✓* | Subject to eligibility requirements* |
| Vote in municipal elections | ✓* | ✗ |
| Run for Mayor or City Councillor | ✓* | ✗ |
Not eligible to vote ≠ unable to participate in municipal affairs
Even without Canadian citizenship, residents can still take part in local civic affairs by staying informed, contacting elected representatives, participating in public consultations, and sharing their views on municipal issues.
Voting and running for municipal office are subject to additional eligibility requirements, including age and residency. Eligibility for municipal boards, committees, and public appointments varies by municipality and position.
Start with issues that matter to you
Getting involved in municipal affairs can begin with issues that directly affect your daily life:
Housing: Housing supply | Land use and development | Homelessness
Transportation: Public transit | Road safety | Pedestrian and cycling infrastructure
Community and culture: Community centres | Libraries | Parks | Public spaces | Cultural and heritage preservation
Environment and public services: Waste and recycling | Water and wastewater services | Urban greening | Climate adaptation and environmental initiatives
Public safety: Fire services | Emergency services | Local policing | Community safety
Local economy: Small businesses | Business licensing | Local economic development
Inclusion and accessibility: Newcomer support | Multilingual services | Accessibility | Anti-discrimination | Community engagement
Taking action
Have a municipal issue that you care about? Here are a few steps to get started:
Identify who is responsible
Find out whether the issue falls under municipal jurisdiction and which department, committee, or elected representative is responsible.Find out where things stand
Check whether public consultations are underway, the issue is on a City Council or committee agenda, or further decisions are pending.Choose how to participate
Depending on the issue and relevant procedures, you can contact elected representatives, participate in public consultations, submit written comments, or register to speak at a public meeting.Follow up on developments
Review meeting outcomes, official decisions, relevant reports, or planned next steps.
The earlier you understand how an issue is progressing, the easier it is to identify opportunities to get involved.
Different issues may fall under the jurisdiction of different levels of government. Specific responsibilities and service delivery arrangements vary by municipality and region.
Photo: Andre Furtado on Unsplash