Government services in Canada are provided by distinct levels of government. Depending on where you live, there may be three or four levels responsible for delivering programs and services.
In Middlesex Centre, these levels include:
- Federal government (Canada)
- Provincial government (Ontario)
- County government (Middlesex County)
- Municipal government (Middlesex Centre)
Understanding which level of government is responsible for a service can help you find information, access programs, and get support more quickly.
- Federal Government (Canada)
The federal government is responsible for national programs, policies, and services that affect people across Canada.
The federal government is led by the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Residents are represented locally by a Member of Parliament (MP), who is elected to represent the area in the House of Commons.
Federal services
Services provided by the federal government include:
- Airports
- Borders and passports
- Criminal law
- Employment Insurance (EI)
- Fisheries, oceans, and national parks
- Foreign affairs
- Immigration
- Income tax
- Military and national defence
- Money and banking
- Postal service
For more information, visit the Government of Canada website.
- Provincial Government (Ontario)
The provincial government is responsible for services and programs that affect people across Ontario.
The province is led by the Premier of Ontario and Cabinet. Residents are represented locally by a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP), who is elected to represent the area in Ontario's Legislative Assembly (‘Queen’s Park’).
Provincial services
Services provided by the provincial government include:
- Birth and death certificates
- Driver's licences
- Elementary and secondary education
- Colleges and universities
- Health care, hospitals, and health cards
- Liquor regulation and the LCBO
- Marriage certificates
- Natural resources
- Provincial highways
- Recycling system oversight
- Sales tax administration
- Social assistance programs
For more information, visit the Government of Ontario website.
- County Government (Middlesex County)
Middlesex County provides services that support residents across eight local municipalities, including Middlesex Centre.
County Council is made up of the mayors and deputy mayors from the lower-tier municipalities. The Warden serves as the head of County Council and is elected annually by County Council members.
County services
Services provided by Middlesex County include:
- Affordable housing
- Child care system planning
- County roads and bridges
- County-wide land use planning
- Economic development and tourism
- Emergency management
- Homelessness services
- Library services
- Long-term care homes
- Middlesex County Forests
- Paramedic services
- Provincial offences court services
- Social services
- Transit
For more information, visit the Middlesex County website.
- Municipal Government (Middlesex Centre)
Middlesex Centre is responsible for delivering local services directly to residents. The municipality also manages community programs, infrastructure, by-laws, and planning matters.
Middlesex Centre is governed by an elected Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Council. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor also serve on Middlesex County Council.
Municipal services
Services provided by Middlesex Centre include:
- Animal control
- Building permits
- Business and marriage licences
- By-law enforcement
- Cemeteries
- Fire and emergency services
- Local roads, bridges, and sidewalks
- Municipal elections
- Parking enforcement
- Planning, zoning, and development applications
- Police services (through the Ontario Provincial Police)
- Property tax administration
- Recreation facilities, parks, and programs
- Waste collection and recycling services
- Water and wastewater services
You can learn more about these services by exploring our website or searching for a specific service (click the magnifying glass at the top of the page).
- Other Local Government Agencies
Several other local government agencies and special purpose provide services to residents.
Education (through local school boards)
- Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) – English Public Schools
- London District Catholic School Board (LDCSB) – English Catholic Schools
- Conseil scolaire Viamonde – French Public Schools
- Conseil scolaire catholique Providence – French Catholic Schools
Public health services
Conservation planning and stewardship (through conservation authorities):
- Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority Board (ABCA)
- Kettle Creek Conservation Authority Board (KCCA)
- Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority Board (LTVCA)
- St. Clair Region Conservation Authority Board (SCRCA)
- Upper Thames River Conservation Authority Board (UTRCA)
As of February 1, 2027, Ontario conservation authorities are being amalgamated into regional bodies. Those serving Middlesex Centre residents:
- Western Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority (WLERCA)
- Eastern Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority (ELERCA)
- Lake Huron Regional Conservation Authority (LHRCA)