Who decides what: Canada.

A take-home sheet for people at the session. Other countries: United States · United Kingdom · Australia.

Moraph for Good · Voice

Who decides what: Canada

Handout · moraph.org/commons/sessions/voice/who-decides-what

Government comes in layers, and each one handles different things. This sheet helps you work out who decides an issue where you live, and how to check.

The layers

National government handles matters for the whole country.
Many countries also have states, provinces or regions.
Local councils run the services you see every day, sometimes in more than one tier.
Special bodies may run schools, water, transport or libraries.

Who does what

Elected members set policy and approve budgets.
Staff run services and can explain how things work now.
To change something, contact elected members. To understand something, start with staff.

Finding out who decides

Start with your local government’s website.
Ask: who decides this, and when will it next be discussed?
Ask in writing and keep the reply.

Voting

For registration, deadlines and polling places, use only your official election office.
Don’t rely on messages, posts or calls for voting information.

In Canada

Three levels. Canada has federal, provincial or territorial, and municipal (local) governments. First Nations band chiefs and councillors have major responsibilities on reserves, including housing, schools and other services.
Federal. Elected members are Members of Parliament (MPs). Responsibilities include national defence, foreign policy, citizenship and criminal justice, with some areas such as immigration, agriculture and the environment shared with the provinces.
Provincial and territorial. Elected members are called MLAs, MNAs, MPPs or MHAs depending on the province. Responsibilities include education, health care, natural resources and highways.
Municipal. A council, usually a mayor or reeve and councillors, passes by-laws for the local community. Municipalities are normally responsible for things like planning, streets and roads, garbage, snow removal, firefighting and emergency services, recreation facilities and public transit.
Find your MP. The House of Commons website has a search to find your Member of Parliament.
Voting questions. Elections Canada runs federal elections. Provincial, territorial and municipal elections have different rules, so check with the election authority for that level.

Official places to check:

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/discover-canada/read-online/federal-elections.html
House of Commons of Canada: www.ourcommons.ca/members/en
Elections Canada: www.elections.ca/home.aspx

General information, not advice about your own situation. Checked 19 October 2026. If an official source says something different, it is right. Free to copy and adapt. moraph.org/commons/sessions/voice/who-decides-what