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unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.
#### Bylaws & Policies
## How Policies & Bylaws Are Developed
At Cardston County, policies and bylaws are developed and reviewed through a **collaborative process** that involves:
✔️ **Council**
✔️ **Administration**
✔️ **Agricultural Services Board**
✔️ **Municipal Planning Commission**
✔️ **Other stakeholders** (when necessary)
### What Guides Policy & Bylaw Development?
Every policy and bylaw is created following a **thorough review** that considers:
* The **need for the policy**
* **Alternative approaches**
* **Relevant legislation, regulations, and procedures**
* **Input from stakeholders impacted by the policy or bylaw**
### What Can Council Pass Bylaws For?
Council can pass bylaws to:
* **Govern Council and Administration processes**
* **Regulate activities within the County**
### What You Should Know About Bylaws
Municipal bylaws are legally enforceable, just like other laws. They can:
* Be **enforced with penalties**
* Be **challenged in court**
* Must **comply with higher levels of law**, including provincial and federal laws
### How Bylaws Are Passed
To become law, every proposed bylaw must go through **three distinct readings** at Council meetings.
Council may only proceed to **third reading at the same meeting** if all Councillors present **unanimously agree**.
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## The Municipal Government Act (MGA)
The **Municipal Government Act (MGA)** provides the **legal framework** for how all municipalities in Alberta operate. It is one of Alberta's largest and most important pieces of legislation, containing:
* **18 parts**
* **More than 700 sections**
The MGA defines:
* How municipalities govern and operate
* The roles and responsibilities of Council
* How residents can **engage with and influence** municipal decisions
🔗 Learn More About the MGA and Recent Updates *(Consider linking to an external resource or Alberta Government page.)*
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## Search Our Policy & Bylaw Database
🔎 **Click here to search, view, and print policies, bylaws, and other County documents**
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## Accessing Information
### Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP)
The **FOIP Act** helps balance:
* The public's **right to know** what their government is doing
* Each person's **right to privacy** regarding personal information held by public bodies
The Act applies to:
* **Municipalities**, like Cardston County
* **Provincial government departments**
* **Universities, colleges, and school boards**
* **Other local public bodies**
### What FOIP Covers
✅ The **right to access** records held by public bodies (with narrow exceptions)
✅ Rules for how public bodies **collect, use, and disclose personal information**
✅ The right to **see personal information** about yourself
✅ The right to **request corrections** to personal information if it's inaccurate
✅ Independent reviews of disclosure decisions and privacy violations, conducted by the **Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner**
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### Transparency & Your Right to Know
Cardston County is committed to **transparency** and making public information accessible whenever possible.
If you would like to request access to records or information, please contact our office:
📞403-653-4977