Municipal Government Act and Regulations
The Municipal Government Act (MGA) raises the standards regarding good governance, financial accountability, administration and service delivery while providing municipalities with greater authority, flexibility and discretion. It came into effect on December 23, 2017.
What regulations are part of the MGA?
Certain requirements of the MGA are also subject to regulations.
Regulations in effect
Access to Information and Protection of Personal Information Regulation
- Regulations that govern access to information and protection of personal information.
Campaign Contributions and Election Expenses Bylaw Regulations
- Regulations that outline the required content for a municipality's mandatory bylaw for campaign contributions and election expenses.
- Regulations regarding municipal financial planning and reporting.
- Regulations regarding specific notice requirements and insurance obligations.
Municipal Election Regulations
- Regulations that govern the running and conduct of municipal elections. [Updated Municipal Election Regulations Amendments effect January 1, 2022]
- Regulations that outline the minimum content for a municipality’s mandatory procedural bylaw.
Principles, Standards and Criteria Regulations
- Regulations related to municipal restructuring and the creation of new municipalities.
- Regulations that govern the conduct of a municipal plebiscite.
- Regulations that govern the definition of a record and record keeping requirements.
Brief Overview of MGA and Regulatory Amendments
The MGA was amended effective December 4, 2020. The following is a brief list of amendment highlights:
- Municipalities can now designate a municipal office outside their boundaries if the office is shared with another municipality (see subsection 85(3));
- All members of council are now required to submit annual Code of Conduct related disclosure statements to their CAOs in addition to the inaugural disclosure statement required post election (see section 107);
- Electronic meeting requirements have been clarified for states of emergency (public health or otherwise) to confirm obligations for transparency and public access (see subsection 118.1 and section 122);
- Expectations related to the establishment of municipal controlled corporations have been clarified (see section 181.1);
- Municipal bylaw expectations related to the delivery of Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) like programs have been clarified and the municipal ability to impose first priority liens for any funds advanced under such programs has been confirmed.
If you would like to see at a glance what was change, click on the following link to the PEI Legislature for Bill no. 66 - An Act to amend the Municipal Government Act.
Why was the MGA Introduced?
The Municipalities Act came into force in 1983 and was based on legislation first drafted in the 1940s. Since the 1980s, the legislation had undergone several major reviews and had been amended on a number of occasions.
Today's municipalities require modern legislation that is consistent with the principles of democracy, good governance and service.
View "New Municipal Legislation: What's Changing" to learn more about the key areas of change for municipal governments with the original transition to the MGA.