Cardston County develops and reviews its policies and bylaws in a collaborative process including Council, Administration, Agricultural Services Board, Municipal Planning Commission, and, where required, other stakeholders.
Our policies and bylaws are developed after a thorough review of the policy needs, alternative policy positions, applicable regulatory, legislative, and procedural requirements and consultations with stakeholders impacted by the policies and bylaws being proposed.
Council may pass bylaws to govern the affairs of Council and Administration or bylaws that govern within the municipality generally. Municipal bylaws are no different than any other law of the land and can be enforced with penalties, challenged in court and must comply with higher levels of law.
Every proposed bylaw must have three distinct and separate readings. A proposed bylaw must not have more than two readings at a Council Meeting unless the Councillors present unanimously agree to consider third reading.
Municipal Government Act
The Municipal Government Act is the legislative framework in which all municipalities and municipal entities across the Province of Alberta operate. The current MGA is one of Alberta’s largest pieces of legislation, containing 18 parts and more than 700 sections. The MGA provides the governance model for cities, towns, villages, municipal districts, specialized municipalities and other forms of local government. It lays the foundation for how municipalities operate, how municipal Councils function and how citizens can work with their municipalities.
Policy and Bylaw Database
Click here to search, navigate and print documents such as our policies, bylaws and other documents.
Accessing Information
The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act aims to strike a balance between the public’s right to know and the individual’s right to privacy, as these rights relate to information held by public bodies in Alberta. The Act covers all provincial government departments, agencies, boards and commissions. The Act also covers what are referred to as local public bodies, including municipalities, universities, colleges, school boards and others. The Act covers the following five areas:
- The public has a right of access to records held by public bodies, subject to narrow and specific exceptions. This right of access is the cornerstone of openness and accountability of public bodies.
- Personal information is protected by rules that public bodies must follow when collecting, using and disclosing personal information.
- Individuals have the right to see personal information about themselves. This is a broad right of access with few exceptions.
- Individuals have the right to request correction of their personal information if it is not accurate.
- The Act provides for an independent review of decisions about disclosure of information and possible violations of individual privacy. The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner conducts these reviews.
Cardston County endeavors to be as transparent with information as possible. If you are interested in accessing information, please contact our office.