The Municipal Minute
As Canadians celebrate the 159th anniversary of Confederation, it’s worth remembering that municipalities don’t receive their powers directly from the Constitution in the same way that the federal and provincial governments do. Instead, municipalities receive their authority from provincial legislation enacted under the Constitution.
Civic Decoder
Municipalities are sometimes described as “creatures of the province.” (Organizations such as the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) often use the expression, as on page 5 of this AMO document.)
That’s a legal expression—not a phrase found in the Constitution. It simply means municipalities exist because provincial governments create them through legislation. Unlike the federal and provincial governments, whose powers come directly from the Constitution, municipalities receive their authority from provincial law.
Community Connection
With the municipal election taking place in October, it’s a good time to remember that local decisions shape our daily lives. Every eligible voter has the opportunity to help choose the people they believe will best represent their interests on Town Council.
Unless you’re paying close attention, I understand that systems of government at any level can feel removed from day-to-day life, but consider this:
An Innisfil resident recently purchased eggs from a grocery store in town without noticing the label. He was surprised when he realized they were from the United States (U.S.), as he has been very intentional about purchasing Canadian-made products since President Trump levied tariffs on Canada.
Neither he nor his family could believe that a grocery store in Innisfil would carry U.S. eggs — especially since there are numerous local farms that sell not just Canadian eggs, but those produced right here in town. They were returned to the store, and the store’s employees were just as surprised as he was that U.S. eggs came from their store. Management explained that they don’t know where each product comes from; employees simply select the product they need to order by pressing a button—in this case, 18-count cartons of eggs.
The experience also raised questions for me. If Ontario produces millions of eggs each year—and communities like Innisfil are home to local egg producers—why are some grocery stores receiving eggs from the United States? Is it a supply issue, a distribution decision, a pricing decision, or something else?
Personally, I believe local farmers deserve our support whenever possible. If Canadian eggs are readily available, I think it’s worth asking why some grocery stores are receiving eggs from across the border.
Feel free to comment below, reach out to me via email (amber@ambergreen.ca), or share your thoughts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or LinkedIn.
So, which branch of government is responsible for managing international trade?
The federal government. (Specifically, section 91 of the Constitution Act, 1867)
Since municipal and provincial governments are not involved in setting Canada’s international trade policies that influence what we find in our grocery stores, “shop local” takes on a whole new meaning.
What to Watch
Tomorrow, AmberGreen.ca will be posting an explainer article about Strong Mayor Powers, which came into effect in Innisfil on October 31, 2023.
Canada Day celebrates the country, but many of the issues that affect us daily happen locally — on our roads, in our neighbourhoods, at council tables, and even in the choices we make at the grocery store.
Happy Canada Day, Innisfil. 🇨🇦
Found this helpful?
I believe informed communities make better decisions.
If this article helped you better understand a local issue, consider supporting my work through Buy Me a Coffee.
Thank you for helping make independent local journalism and civic education possible.
© 2026 Amber Green (AmberGreen.ca). All rights reserved.