Leslyn Lewis
Constituency Office(s):
240-185 Robinson St
Simcoe, Ontario
N3Y 5L6
Telephone: 1-866-496-3400
Fax: 519-426-0003
Email: leslyn.lewis@parl.gc.ca
Website: MP
Federal and Provincial Government Contacts
Issues are best managed when everyone understands the distinct roles and responsibilities of different levels of government. For example, a Member of Parliament (MP) cannot make decisions about local zoning, just as a Mayor cannot make decisions about immigration.
On this page
Responsibilities of government
The responsibilities of federal, provincial, and municipal governments in Ontario are defined by the Constitution Act of 1867. Here’s a breakdown of their roles:
Federal Government
Canada
Main focus:
- National and international affairs
Responsibilities include:
- Airports and air travel
- Criminal law (Criminal Code)
- Currency and banking
- Defence (Canadian Armed Forces)
- Employment Insurance (EI)
- Fisheries and oceans
- Foreign affairs and international trade
- Immigration and citizenship
- Indigenous affairs
- Postal service
- Telecommunications and internet regulation
Provincial Government
Ontario
Main focus:
- Regional issues and services
Responsibilities include:
- Colleges and universities
- Education (elementary to high school)
- Healthcare (hospitals, OHIP)
- Labour laws (minimum wage, workplace safety)
- Liquor and cannabis regulation
- Natural resources and the environment
- Property and civil rights
- Provincial courts and civil law
- Social services (social assistance, disability support, policy, regulations, funding)
- Transportation (provincial highways like the 401)
Municipal Government
Norfolk County
Main focus:
- Infrastructure and local services
Responsibilities include:
- Building permits and inspections
- Garbage collection and recycling
- Libraries and community centers
- Local police and fire services
- Local roads and snow removal
- Parks and recreation
- Property taxes
- Public transit
- Social services program delivery and direct support to community members
- Water and sewage
- Zoning and land use planning
Contact Norfolk's municipal government representatives: Mayor and Councillors
How government works together
As an example, all levels of government play a role in housing.
Federal
- Provides funding through programs like the National Housing Strategy
- Supports affordable housing and homelessness initiatives across Canada
- Works with provinces and cities via Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
Provincial
- Oversees landlord-tenant laws (Residential Tenancies Act)
- Funds and regulates social and community housing
- Sets housing-related building codes and standards
Municipal (Norfolk County)
- Issues zoning by-laws and approves development projects
- Provides services to people experiencing homelessness (shelters, outreach)
- Enforces property standards
Who to contact
Member of Parliament (MP)
Elected to: House of Commons in Ottawa
Represents: A federal riding (electoral district) in Canada
Main role:
- Debates and votes on national laws
- Canada-wide issues like immigration, defence, foreign policy
- Often part of a political party (Liberal, Conservative, NDP, etc.)
Example: Contact your MP for immigration, income taxes, or national health funding
Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP)
Level: Provincial (Ontario)
Elected to: Legislative Assembly of Ontario (in Toronto)
Represents: A provincial riding
Main role:
- Debates and passes provincial laws
Ontario-specific issues like education, healthcare, highways, housing
Often part of a political party (Liberal, Conservative, NDP, etc.)
Example: Contact your MPP for OHIP, public schools, provincial disability support
Bobbi Ann Brady
Constituency Office(s):
50B Gilbertson Dr.
Simcoe, ON N3Y 4L8
Telephone: 519-428-0446
Fax: 519-428-0835
Toll free: 800-903-8629
Email: babrady-co@ola.org
Website: MPP
Mayor
Level: Municipal
Elected to: Head of a Municipal Council
Represents: The entire County
Main role:
- Leads the County council
- Sets local priorities (e.g. housing, public safety, transit)
- Acts as the public face of the County
- Doesn’t pass laws like MPs or MPPs, but helps create by-laws and County budgets
Example: Contact your Mayor for snow removal, curbside waste collection, and local infrastructure (roads, sewers)
Amy Martin
Phone: 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 1248
Email: amy.martin@norfolkcounty.ca
Councillor
Level: Municipal
Elected to: Municipal Council (along with the Mayor)
Represents: A Ward (smaller area of the County)
Main role:
- Votes on County by-laws and budgets
- Works closely with residents to resolve local concerns
- Helps shape policies around zoning, public services, parks and safety
Example: Contact your Councillor for local traffic calming, neighborhood issues, or a new housing proposal in your neighborhood
Contact Us
ServiceNorfolk
50 Colborne Street South
Simcoe, Ontario
N3Y 4H3
Phone: 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 0
