Welcome to class!
Muni Uni is North Cowichan’s online learning centre, aimed at helping adults (and kids) strengthen their knowledge about local governments and how they work.
Muni Uni is an ongoing year-round educational campus. Monthly subjects will provide a transparent and high-level overview on wide-ranging topics such as elections and voting, annual budget planning, business planning, property taxes, infrastructure renewal/asset management, how much things cost, what level of government does what, and more.
Muni Uni students will be encouraged to check in each month and learn about the topic, then take a short “exam” to show what was learned.
Class participants will also have a chance to win prizes!
Current topic: Who does what?
What is the government, and what exactly does it do? While some of that conversation might be best left for the dark corners of the world wide web, most of what government does is intended to serve the public.
This is especially true for local governments like North Cowichan. Your town, city, or district municipality (which is different from a regional district) provides services and programs you count on every single day – local roads, sewers, tap water, garbage collection, parks, and planning. Did you flush your toilet today? Thank your local government (unless you are on a septic system). Did your garbage and recycling get collected this week? Thank local government. Did your neighbour have to check whether they could turn their garage into a business, build another house, or subdivide their property? Thank local government. Depending on which neighbour you are, of course, you may or may not be feeling particularly thankful.
Knowing which level of government does what is more useful than you might think. It can help you figure out who to call when you have a question or problem and, just as importantly, who has the authority to do something about it. Not everything that happens in your community is a local government responsibility. Sometimes, the issue belongs in another level of government’s wheelhouse.
We have a list of some of the core services each level of government provides on our website.
Review the list of who does what, then take the final exam for your chance to show what you know and to win great prizes!
