In addition to City Council, there are three upper-tier governments that make decisions affecting residents of the St. Catharines:
Niagara Region
The City of St. Catharines is represented at Niagara Regional Council by six councillors and the Mayor, who are elected every four years.
The Region is responsible for:
- Waste management
- Water / wastewater treatment
- Public health
- Social services
- Community housing
- Policing
Government of Ontario
Three Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) are elected to represent St. Catharines at Queen's Park in Toronto. MPPs are elected from three ridings representing portions of St. Catharines:
- St. Catharines
- Niagara Centre
- Niagara West
The provincial government is responsible for:
- Healthcare
- Education funding
- Provincial roads and highways
Government of Canada
There are three Members of Parliament (MPs) representing St. Catharines at the federal level in Ottawa. These MPs are elected from three ridings representing portions of St. Catharines:
- St. Catharines
- Niagara Centre
- Niagara West
The federal government is responsible for:
- Immigration and citizenship
- Natural resources and the environment
- International trade and commerce
- National defense and military