Fact sheet 2 : The Municipal Administration: Guidance for Public Health

<jats:p>• This fact sheet is part of a collection on municipal governance in Canada, intended for public health organizations seeking to collaborate with municipalities. It presents the municipal administration—that is, the municipal staff, who are key partners given their role and positioning. • The administration influences municipal action by making recommendations to the municipal council and implementing its decisions. • The chief administrative officer (CAO) heads the administration and serves as the interface with the municipal council. • Municipal staff members are technical interlocutors and are generally more stable over time than elected officials—an advantage for ensuring continuity in collaborations. • Depending on the size of the administration, the most relevant partners may vary: project officers, municipal department heads, the CAO, or the municipal clerk. • The structure of municipal departments reflects the responsibilities exercised by the municipality, which are determined by provinces and territories. Understanding this legal framework helps identify the municipal responsibilities that can promote health and use them as levers for collaboration.</jats:p>