The role of the Local Governance Commission is to:
Provide advice and recommendations to the Minister of Environment and Local Government on topics related to public authorities (local governments, regional service commissions, and rural districts), such as requests for restructuring, regional infrastructure cost sharing agreements and by-law studies.
Investigate issues affecting public authorities such as alleged code of conduct and conflict of interest violations, and issuing rulings and sanctions when necessary;
Provide education, advice and information on topics related to the Local Governance Act and other related laws to both public authorities and residents; and
Complete other tasks assigned to the Local Governance Commission by the Minister of Environment and Local Government.
Duties, Functions and Powers of the Local Governance Commission:
Investigating, ruling on and imposing penalties relating to alleged code of conduct violations;
Investigating, ruling on and imposing penalties relating to alleged conflict of interest violations;
Reviewing and making recommendations to the Minister of Environment and Local Government on restructuring requests, such as incorporations of new local governments, amalgamations, annexations, and decreases in the territorial limits of local governments;
Reviewing and making recommendations to the Minister of Environment and Local Government in response to requests to alter the boundary of a regional service commission;
Reviewing and making recommendations to the Minister of Environment and Local Government on regional service commission decisions relating to cost sharing agreements for sport, recreation and cultural regional infrastructure;
Studying and making recommendations to the Minister of Environment and Local Government on whether to amend or repeal certain local government by-laws;
Appointing auditors to carry out audits of local governments, local boards and regional service commissions;
Appointing inspectors to carry out investigations of local governments, local boards and regional service commissions;
Appointing supervisors for local governments whose councils no longer have quorum;
Recommending the appointment of supervisors for local governments, in certain specific situations;
Recommending the appointment of trustees for regional service commissions; and
Examining any other topic requested by the Minister or Cabinet.
