Understanding Policies & Bylaws
Council makes many decisions by adopting bylaws and policies that guide how the municipality operates.
Although the terms are sometimes used together, bylaws and policies serve different purposes. Understanding the difference can help residents better follow Council decisions and municipal governance.
This guide explains the types of bylaws and policies you may see on Council agendas and what to look for when reviewing them.
1. Bylaws
A bylaw is a law passed by Council under authority granted by provincial legislation, primarily the Municipal Government Act.
Bylaws establish legal rules for the municipality and may address topics such as governance, taxation, planning, public safety, roads, utilities, and municipal services.
What to look for:
Review the purpose of the bylaw, the authority under which it is being adopted, what changes are proposed, who may be affected, and when the bylaw will take effect.
2. Bylaw Readings
Most bylaws must go through a formal process before they can be adopted by Council.
This process generally includes first reading, an opportunity for further review or public hearing where required by legislation, second reading, and third reading. A bylaw is usually adopted after third reading unless provincial legislation provides otherwise.
Important to know:
First reading does not approve a bylaw. It begins the formal process that allows Council to consider the proposed bylaw. Changes may still be made before the bylaw receives final approval.
What to look for:
Review what stage the bylaw has reached, whether amendments have been proposed, whether a public hearing is required, and whether the bylaw has received final approval.
3. Policies
A policy provides guidance on how the municipality will carry out specific responsibilities or make certain types of decisions.
Unlike a bylaw, a policy is not a law. Policies help promote consistency, transparency, and accountability in municipal operations and decision-making.
Policies may address topics such as purchasing, financial management, public participation, employee practices, asset management, or other administrative and governance matters.
Important to know:
Policies guide how the municipality operates but cannot override provincial legislation or municipal bylaws.
What to look for:
Review the purpose of the policy, who it applies to, the responsibilities it establishes, whether it replaces an existing policy, and the date it takes effect.
4. Policy Reviews and Updates
Council periodically reviews existing policies to ensure they remain current, effective, and consistent with legislation, municipal priorities, and changing operational needs.
Policies may be amended, replaced, or repealed as circumstances change.
Important to know:
Policies are intended to evolve over time. Regular reviews help ensure they continue to meet the needs of the municipality and reflect current practices.
What to look for:
Review the reason for the proposed changes, what sections are being amended, whether the policy replaces an earlier version, and how the changes may affect municipal operations or residents.
5. Repealing Bylaws
From time to time, Council may repeal a bylaw that is no longer needed or replace it with a new bylaw.
Repealing a bylaw removes it from force. In many cases, a new bylaw is adopted at the same time to reflect updated legislation, municipal practices, or changing community needs.
Important to know:
Repealing a bylaw does not automatically reverse actions that were legally taken while the bylaw was in effect. The new bylaw or applicable legislation will determine how future matters are handled.
What to look for:
Review why the bylaw is being repealed, whether it is being replaced by a new bylaw, what changes are being introduced, and when the repeal and replacement will take effect.
6. Procedural Bylaws
Every municipality has a procedural bylaw that establishes the rules for how Council meetings are conducted.
A procedural bylaw outlines matters such as meeting procedures, agendas, motions, voting, public participation, and other requirements for conducting Council business.
Important to know:
A procedural bylaw helps ensure Council meetings are conducted in a fair, consistent, and orderly manner. It governs the meeting process rather than the decisions Council makes.
What to look for:
Review the rules for meeting procedures, how motions are handled, voting requirements, public participation, agenda changes, and any updates being proposed to the bylaw.
7. Regulatory Bylaws
Some bylaws establish rules that regulate activities within the municipality.
These bylaws may address topics such as traffic, animal control, noise, nuisance complaints, fire services, utilities, parks, or other matters that Council has the authority to regulate under provincial legislation.
Important to know:
Regulatory bylaws establish legally enforceable rules. Residents are expected to comply with these bylaws, and enforcement may be carried out by Community Peace Officers, municipal enforcement staff, or other authorized officials, depending on the bylaw.
What to look for:
Review who the bylaw applies to, the activities being regulated, any exemptions, enforcement provisions, penalties for non-compliance, and when the bylaw comes into effect.
8. Governance Bylaws
Some bylaws establish how the municipality is governed and how Council carries out its responsibilities.
These bylaws may address matters such as Council procedures, committee structures, remuneration, borrowing, utility services, or other governance and administrative functions authorized by provincial legislation.
Important to know:
Governance bylaws help establish the framework for how the municipality operates. They focus on municipal administration and decision-making rather than regulating the activities of residents.
What to look for:
Review the purpose of the bylaw, the authority it provides, who is responsible for carrying it out, whether existing governance practices are changing, and how the bylaw may affect Council operations or municipal administration.
9. Temporary and Amending Bylaws
Council may adopt bylaws that amend an existing bylaw or apply only to a specific situation or period of time.
An amending bylaw changes part of an existing bylaw without replacing the entire document. A temporary bylaw may be used when Council wishes to address a short-term need, where permitted by legislation.
Important to know:
When reviewing a proposed amending bylaw, it is often helpful to read both the amendment and the original bylaw to fully understand the changes being proposed.
What to look for:
Review exactly what sections are being changed, whether the amendment adds, removes, or revises existing provisions, when the changes take effect, and whether any temporary provisions include an expiry date.
10. Following Policies & Bylaws
Policies and bylaws help establish how the municipality is governed, how services are delivered, and what rules apply within the community.
Council agendas often include new bylaws, amendments to existing bylaws, new policies, or revisions to current policies. Reviewing these documents can help residents understand why changes are being proposed and how they may affect municipal operations or the community.
When reviewing policies and bylaws, consider:
What is the purpose of the proposed bylaw or policy?
Is it creating something new, amending an existing document, or repealing one?
What authority allows Council to adopt it?
Who will be affected?
Are there financial, operational, or legal implications?
Does the proposal require a public hearing or additional readings before it can be adopted?
When will the changes take effect?
Understanding policies and bylaws can help residents follow Council decisions and better understand how municipal rules and governance evolve over time.