The elected council is the governing body of the municipality. Elected officials make decisions by passing resolutions or enacting bylaws. Bylaws are the laws of the municipality.

Council establishes policies about what essential core services to provide, how those services will be delivered and at what levels.

Resources

To help you understand the powers and responsibilities of elected council and municipal staff in Saskatchewan, please watch the videos below which references these documents:

• The Cities Act
• The Municipalities Act
• The Northern Municipalities Act, 2010
• Fact sheet: Governance and Accountability of Council

You must be eligible to run as a candidate in your municipality. Eligibility requirements can be found under Election Procedures for Municipalities.

If elected as a member of council, you will have the opportunity to help shape the future of your municipality. To maintain the public’s trust and confidence in their local government, both candidates and elected officials must complete a public disclosure statement. (Read the Municipal Public Disclosure Guide and review sample public disclosure statement forms.)

Public disclosure statements assure the public that, when you are elected to office, council’s decisions are made in the best interests of the municipality. Elected officials are also required to:

• Submit an Oath or Affirmation of Office before carrying out any power, duty or function of council; and
• Abide by the municipality’s Code of Ethics and Council Procedures bylaws. View examples by visiting Bylaw Samples.