EXLGP 8204 - Local Government Finance

This course provides a basic understanding of public and local government finance. The course discusses the changing role and size of government, the budget process, issues relating to alternative service delivery, sources of revenue for local governments, fiscal relations among governments in Canada, and strategic financial thinking.

This course may be eligible for the Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant (CAPG), with final approval determined by CAPG administrators. Employers and applicants can review the CAPG guidelines and full details on the University of Alberta’s Continuing Education website.

Aimed at individuals interested in moving into higher level responsibilities in the local government field; our student body includes municipal government employees in planning, corporate services, economic development, operations, finance, and more.

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• 🗸 Discuss the appropriate role of municipal government in the economy and in relation to other levels of government in Canada.
• 🗸 Analyze the municipal budget process and the methods of forecasting revenue and expenditure budgets.
• 🗸 Evaluate the various sources of municipal revenue, including the role of property taxes and user charges in financing municipal services.
• 🗸 Examine the constitutional, legal, and institutional aspects of intergovernmental relations and the role of municipal government in the constitutional framework of Canada.
• 🗸 Identify alternative service delivery options for the provision of municipal services and issues relating to municipal fiscal sustainability.

• 🗸Fully online asynchronous course, accessible through CE Canvas, the University of Alberta’s eLearning management tool.
• 🗸Participate in online discussions with peers from all over Canada and expand your professional network.
• 🗸All learning materials are provided through CE Canvas.
• 🗸This is one of five core courses required for the NACLAA Level I certificate.