HAMSON – Five minutes to a better understanding of our governments

By NICHOLAS HAMSON
Guest Columnist

ONE OF THE BIGGEST misconceptions I have noticed is not that people dislike government. It is that many people simply do not know which part of government is responsible for the issue they are trying to solve.

That is completely understandable.

Canada’s system of government is layered. We have municipal, provincial, and federal governments, each with different responsibilities. Most people do not spend their free time learning how those responsibilities are divided, and frankly, I would not expect them to.

But understanding those differences can save a great deal of frustration.

Take a road, for example. If there is a pothole on a residential street, your municipality is likely responsible. If the issue is on a provincial highway, that responsibility usually falls to the Province. A passport, on the other hand, is handled by the federal government. Healthcare is largely administered by the Province, while local recreation facilities, zoning, and water services are typically municipal responsibilities.

The point is not to memorize every responsibility.

The point is to understand that each level of government has its own role.

I have also learned that people often expect elected officials to have far more authority than they actually do.

A city councillor cannot change federal immigration policy. A Member of Parliament cannot direct a municipality on zoning decisions. Likewise, a provincial MLA cannot simply change legislation with one conversation or one vote.

Government simply does not work that way.

Every decision, whether it involves legislation, taxation, infrastructure, or public services, moves through a process. That process often includes research, consultation, debate, committee work, budgeting, and ultimately a decision. It can sometimes feel slow, but those steps exist for a reason.

Another part of government that is often misunderstood is the role of opposition.

Whether it is at the municipal, provincial, or federal level, being in opposition is different from being in government. Governments introduce legislation, develop budgets, and implement policy. Opposition members do not have the same authority, but that does not mean they have no role.

They question government decisions, raise concerns from the communities they represent, propose alternatives, and hold governments accountable for the choices they make. That oversight is an essential part of our democratic system, even when people disagree with the positions being taken.

Understanding that distinction helps explain why an elected representative may not always be able to deliver an immediate solution. Sometimes their role is to advocate, raise awareness, or bring an issue forward rather than make the final decision themselves.

I think this is where expectations and reality sometimes collide.

People naturally want answers, and they want them quickly. That is understandable when an issue affects your family, your business, or your community. But government is rarely as simple as making a phone call or sending an email. Meaningful change often requires time, cooperation between different levels of government, and a process that ensures decisions are carefully considered.

That does not mean people should stop asking questions.

In fact, I would argue the opposite.

The more we understand how our governments work, the better equipped we are to ask the right questions, contact the right people, and understand the decisions shaping our communities.

It does not require hours of research. Take five minutes out of your day to find out who represents you at city hall, in the British Columbia Legislature, and in Parliament. Look at what each level of government is responsible for and learn how to contact the appropriate office when an issue arises.

Understanding your government will not solve every problem, and elected officials will not always be able to provide the answer you want. However, knowing who is responsible, what authority they have, and where their limitations begin can save time and reduce frustration.

Five minutes may not seem like much, but it can give you a clearer understanding of who makes the decisions affecting your everyday life and how you can make your concerns heard.

Nicholas Hamson is a third-year communications student at Thompson Rivers University, focusing on public relations. He has experience working in political communications at both the provincial and campaign levels and currently works for the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. His interests include public engagement, media, and helping people better understand how politics works.