Bylaws
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Bylaws ensure the quality of life in our town, and Bruderheim Town Council is interested in providing residents with improved Bylaw services. The first step is communication - so that all residents have a good understanding of the key Bylaws serving our community.
If you have any questions about Bruderheim Bylaws, please contact the Bylaw Liaison (780-796-3731) at the Town Office, located at 5017 Queen Street. Copies of commonly requested Bylaws will soon be available on this website.
Bruderheim Bylaw FAQs
What is a Bylaw?
The "by" in Bylaw is an old Norse word that means "Town." A
Bylaw is simply a Town, or local, law.
Canadian municipalities don't have constitutional status of their
own, so they can only pass laws authorized by other levels of
government. Statutes like the Municipal Government
Act and the Traffic Safety Act delegate authority for
local Bylaws. The "whereas" clause you see at the beginning
of Bylaws usually explains where the authority for the Bylaw is
coming from.
Some Bylaws are mandatory. For example, every municipality in
Alberta must pass a Land Use Bylaw. Some Bylaws are required
only if a municipality wants to carry out a certain type of
activity. A Town doesn't have to require business licensing,
for example, but if they do, they need a Bylaw. Bylaws can
also customize provincial statutes to allow for local enforcement
or reduced fines in areas like traffic safety.
If you have any questions about Bruderheim Bylaws, please contact the Bylaw Liaison (780-796-3731) at the Town Office, located at 5017 Queen Street.
What is a Bylaw "reading"?
You may have heard of a Bylaw receiving or passing 'readings'. All proposed Bylaws must undergo three separate readings, or stages of consideration, before they can become law. This means that Council has three different opportunities to consider the pros and cons, and to vote, on a particular Bylaw. This ensures that each Bylaw is carefully considered before it is passed.
The first reading is similar to a test, to see if Council wishes to consider the issue at all. The second reading gives Council a chance to debate the issue and make amendments to the Bylaw. The third reading is the final opportunity for debate and changes.
During each reading, Council members vote on whether or not to move the proposed Bylaw to the next reading. If, by number of votes, the Bylaw fails any of the readings, it dies. Alternatively, if a Bylaw reaches the third reading and by majority of votes is carried, the Bylaw is considered passed and adopted.
Does the public have opportunity for input?
In some cases, such as for proposed Land Use Bylaws,
municipalities are required to hold a public hearing after the
first reading has passed and before the second reading is
considered. After the public hearing, Council will call for a
second reading and debate the Bylaw, propose changes, and
ultimately vote on whether or not it should pass.
Sometimes Council may consider holding a public hearing
or gain public input in other ways, even when it is not
required by legislation. This typically happens after the second
reading, after Council has had a chance to debate the issue and
determine if they need more input before continuing.
How can people find out about Bylaws being considered?
The local newspaper advertises public hearings for a minimum of two weeks before the hearing. The Lamont Leader and the Fort Record often contain news about surveys and calls for public input. Bylaws under consideration and Council agendas are posted on this website. Contact Town Council for more information about providing your input, or contact the Development/Bylaw Liaison at the Town Office at 780-796-3731.
How are policies and procedures different from Bylaws?
Bylaws are the fundamental governing documents for the Town. They clearly state the rules and regulations for a number of issues and activities related to the municipality. Policies and procedures, on the other hand, dictate the day-to-day decisions and operations for Town staff and committee and board members. Policies answer the questions WHY? and WHAT? For example, why does the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board exist? Procedures answer the question HOW? by providing the steps for implementation to turn policies into action.
Policies and procedures can be considered 'living' or 'fluid' documents, as they can change quite often in response to new issues, circumstances, needs, or concepts. Bylaws are much more 'static', as they rarely change and require Council's approval to do so. All policies and procedures, as well as the committees and actions that result from them, must be consistent with the Bylaws.