Local Government Week in Durham: Services that shape your day

Ever wonder who’s responsible for what – municipal, provincial or federal? Local Government Week is the perfect time to explore how different levels of government work together to serve you. Your municipal government handles a lot more than you might think!

From October 19 to 25, we’re celebrating Local Government Week – a time to shine a spotlight on the people, services and programs that keep Durham Region running. “This week is a meaningful opportunity to recognize the essential services and dedicated teams that keep Durham moving forward,” shares Regional Chair John Henry. In Durham Region, local government is made up of two levels: the Region (upper-tier) handles big-picture services like transit, clean water, and regional roads, while each town or city (lower-tier) takes care of things like local parks, libraries, and recreation centres. By sharing responsibilities, this partnership keeps our communities running smoothly. The infographic below breaks down the level of government responsible for essential services. 

Local Government Week isn’t just about what gets done, it’s about how it’s done. It’s a celebration of transparency, collaboration, and the dedicated teamwork that powers the Region of Durham and supports our communities every day. “Our teams play a vital role. They work behind the scenes to meaningfully shape our quality of life every single day,” says Chair Henry.

The Region of Durham delivers many of the services you rely on daily:

• Fixing roads and maintaining Regional road infrastructure.
• Garbage collection and composting.
• Delivering clean drinking water.
• Operating transit services to keep you moving.
• Delivering public health initiatives like paramedic services and other wellness programs.
• Providing social services to those in need.
• Managing emergencies and ensuring we’re prepared.
• Policing to ensure safe communities.

These services, and the dedicated teams behind them, are what make Durham Region a great place to live, work, play and invest. “I’m proud of the work we do together to build strong, safe, and connected communities,” shares Chair Henry.

Learn more with Durham 101!

Want to dive deeper into how government works? Visit durham.ca/Durham101 to:

• Explore our interactive map of Durham Region and its eight local area municipalities.
• Discover curriculum materials for Grades 5 and 10.
• Learn which level of government is responsible for the services you rely on every day.

Join the conversation

Let’s celebrate the incredible work of our local government together! Share your appreciation and stories using #LocalGovWeek and help spread the word about the importance of local leadership in our community.