As a lower tier municipality of York Region, the City of Vaughan provides animal services, building permits, cultural services, economic development, fire and rescue services, garbage and recycling, property tax billing, recreation and fitness services, snow removal and salting, and zoning plans examination. 

Local government services are funded primarily by property taxes, user fees or other non-tax revenue. The City also receives funding for some services from the provincial and federal governments from parking fines, for example, and some funding still comes from the provincial government.

​ Region of York (upper tier) provides: Assistance for businesses Court services Family and children services Forestry Garbage and recycling Housing Long-term care Paramedics Planning Police services Public health Regional roads Social assistance Transportation Public transit (YRT/ Viva) Wastewater treatment Water (drinking) supply to lower tier municipalities City of Vaughan (lower tier) provides: Animal services Building permits By-law and enforcement City operating and capital budget Economic development Fire and rescue services Parks, forestry and horticulture maintenance (City) Property tax billing and assessment Protocol services Public records and licenses Recreation and fitness services Snow removal and salting Traffic and road signs and signals (City) Urban design Waste collection Wastewater collection and stormwater management Water (drinking) distribution and infrastructure Zoning plans examination

The Government of Canada (federal level) is responsible for issues that affect all Canadians such as national defence, foreign policy and citizenship. It is made up of a variety of departments, agencies and Crown Corporations, each with their own individual roles and responsibilities. For a complete listing  of departments and agencies, visit the Government of Canada's website.

The House of Commons in Ottawa has three Members of Parliament (MPs) representing Vaughan.

Advocacy partners 

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)

AMO is a non-profit organization representing municipal and regional governments in Ontario. AMO works in partnership with Ontario’s 444 municipalities to achieve shared goals and meet common challenges. Visit AMO's website. 

Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)  

FCM represents more than 2,000 of Canada’s municipalities with a mission to bring local priorities to the national agenda. Together we’ve secured historic federal investments in infrastructure, housing, rural broadband and more. FCM continues working with Canadian cities to shape Canada’s COVID-19 response and help drive Canada’s recovery. Visit FCM's website.