Police village

Last updated

A police village was a form of municipal government that was used in the province of Ontario, Canada in the early 19th century if the finances or the population of an area did not permit the creation of a village.

Contents

Formation

In the early 19th Century, the Parliament of Upper Canada established "boards of police" in municipalities that were not large enough to justify the creation of a municipal council. [1]

The creation of "police villages" was authorized in 1850 upon the passage of the Baldwin Act by the Parliament of the Province of Canada, [2] and was continued by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 1873. [3] The law relating to them remained essentially unchanged until 1965, when the ability to create new police villages was abolished. [4]

The rules governing the formation of police villages were as follows: [5]

  1. A county council, upon the petition of a sufficient number of property owners and tenants, could erect a locality into a police village, so long as it had a population of not less than 150, and an area of not more than 500 acres (200 ha).
  2. Where the locality straddled two or more counties, the council of the county that had the largest portion of the locality was the one that could establish the police village.
  3. If the area was less than 500 acres (200 ha), the council could later increase the size up to that limit.
  4. If the population later exceeded 500, upon the petition of two thirds of the owners and tenants, the area could be increased beyond that limit at the rate of 20 acres (8.1 ha) per 100 in population.
  5. If an expansion of a police village involved an extension into another county, it could not occur without the consent of the other county council.
  6. After the Ontario Municipal Board was established, such erections and expansions could not occur without its approval, and it also had direct power to erect and expand police villages if a county council has failed to act on a petition and if the locality was within one of the provisional judicial districts.

Almost all of the communities that once held that status have since been erected into villages, towns, or cities or amalgamated into other municipalities. Russell still exists as such a body. [6]

Police villages were dissolved with provincial acts creating new municipalities. In 1971, the creation of York Region resulted in the dissolution of Holland Landing, King City, Maple, Mount Albert, Nobleton, Queensville, Schomberg, Sharon, Thornhill, and Unionville as police villages. [7] The responsibilities of the police village boards were shifted to other boards or the municipality to which the police village was amalgamated. For example, the trustees of the police village of King City were deemed a commission for the King City Hydro-Electric System, which became a local board of the township of King with full transfer of all rights and obligations. [8]

Benefits of police village status

Police village status allowed a community to establish its own council to direct spending on local priorities, such as roadways, sidewalks, drainage, lighting, sanitation, fire protection, and policing.

Police villages

Former police villages by historical county in Ontario
Historical CountyPolice village (with date of creation)
Brant County
Carleton County [12]
Elgin County
Essex County [15]
Haldimand County [16]
Halton County
Hastings County
Huron County
Kent County
Lambton County
United Counties of Leeds & Grenville
Lincoln County [24]
Middlesex County
Norfolk County [16]
United Counties of Northumberland and Durham [26]
Ontario County [26]
Oxford County [28]
Peel County [30]
Perth County
United Counties of Prescott and Russell
Renfrew County
Simcoe County [32]
United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry
Victoria County
Waterloo County [36]
Welland County [24]
Wellington County
Wentworth County [38]
York County [7]
  1. ↑ Since amalgamated with Brantford
  2. ↑ Shared with Middlesex County until 1949
  3. ↑ Shared with Wellington County until 1974
  4. ↑ Incorporated as a village in 1953, then amalgamated with the Town of Ajax in 1974
  5. ↑ Dissolved in 1968, on the erection of the Town of Mississauga
  6. ↑ established as a village in January 1911; erected into a town in May 1917 ( An Act to incorporate the Town of Mimico , S.O. 1917, c. 77 ); amalgamated into the Borough of Etobicoke in January 1967 ( The Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto Amendment Act, 1966 , S.O. 1966, c. 96, s. 14 )

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regional Municipality of York</span> Regional municipality in Ontario, Canada

The Regional Municipality of York, also called York Region, is a regional municipality in Southern Ontario, Canada, between Lake Simcoe and Toronto. The region was established after the passing of then Bill 102, An Act to Establish The Regional Municipality of York, in 1970. It replaced the former York County in 1971, and is part of the Greater Toronto Area and the inner ring of the Golden Horseshoe. The regional government is headquartered in Newmarket.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria County, Ontario</span> Historical county in Ontario, Canada

The County of Victoria, or Victoria County, was a county in the Canadian province of Ontario. It was formed in 1854 as The United Counties of Peterborough and Victoria, and separated from Peterborough in 1863. In 2001, the county was dissolved and reformed as the city of Kawartha Lakes. Though first opened to settlement in 1821, the area that was encompassed by Victoria County has a history of Indian occupation, first by the Hurons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halton Hills</span> Town in Ontario, Canada

Halton Hills is a town in the Regional Municipality of Halton, located in the northwestern end of the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada with a population of 62,951 (2021).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wellington County, Ontario</span> County in Ontario, Canada

Wellington County is a county located in Southwestern Ontario, Canada and is part of the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The county, made up of two towns and five townships, is predominantly rural in nature. However many of the residents in the southern part of the county commute to urban areas such as Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo, Brampton, Mississauga, Toronto and Hamilton for employment. The northern part of the county is made up of mainly rural farming communities, except for a few larger towns such as Mount Forest and Arthur. According to the 2021 census, the population of the county was 241,026.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">County of Brant</span> City in Ontario, Canada

The County of Brant is a single-tier municipality in the Canadian province of Ontario. Although it retains the word "county" in its name, the municipality is a single-tier municipal government and has no upper tier. The County of Brant has service offices in Burford, Paris, Oakland, Onondaga and St. George. The largest population centre is Paris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acton, Ontario</span> Rural area in Ontario, Canada

Acton is a community located in the town of Halton Hills, in Halton Region, Ontario, Canada. At the northern end of the Region, it is on the outer edge of the Greater Toronto Area and is one of two of the primary population centres of the Town; the other is Georgetown. From 1842 until 1986, the town was a major centre for the tanning and leather goods industry. In the early years, it was often referred to as "Leathertown".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hastings County</span> County in Ontario, Canada

Hastings County is located in the province of Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it is located on the border of Eastern Ontario and Central Ontario. Hastings County is the second-largest county in Ontario, after Renfrew County, and its county seat is Belleville, which is independent of Hastings County. Hastings County has trademarked the moniker "Cheese Capital of Canada".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regional Municipality of Halton</span> Regional municipality in Ontario, Canada

The Regional Municipality of Halton, or Halton Region, is a regional municipality in Ontario, Canada, located in the Golden Horseshoe of Southern Ontario. It comprises the city of Burlington and the towns of Oakville, Milton, and Halton Hills. Policing in the Region is provided by the Halton Regional Police Service. The regional council's headquarters are located in Oakville. Burlington, Oakville, and Milton are largely urban and suburban, while Halton Hills is more rural.

A regional municipality is a type of Canadian municipal government similar to and at the same municipal government level as a county, although the specific structure and servicing responsibilities may vary from place to place. Regional municipalities were formed in highly populated areas where it was considered more efficient to provide certain services, such as water, emergency services, and waste management over an area encompassing more than one local municipality. For this reason, regions may be involved in providing services to residents and businesses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simcoe County</span> County in Ontario, Canada

Simcoe County is located in the central portion of Southern Ontario, Canada. The county is just north of the Greater Toronto Area, stretching from the shores of Lake Simcoe in the east to Georgian Bay in the west. Simcoe County forms part of the Greater Golden Horseshoe area, a densely populated and industrialized region, centred on the Greater Toronto Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grey County</span> County in Ontario, Canada

Grey County is a county of the Canadian province of Ontario. The county seat is in Owen Sound. It is located in the subregion of Southern Ontario named Southwestern Ontario. Grey County is also a part of the Georgian Triangle. At the time of the Canada 2016 Census the population of the county was 93,830.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carleton County, Ontario</span> Former county in Ontario, Canada

Carleton County is the name of a former county in Ontario, Canada. In 1969, it was superseded by the Regional Municipality of Ottawa–Carleton. In 2001, the Regional Municipality and its eleven local municipalities were replaced by the current city of Ottawa.

Halton County is a former county in the Canadian province of Ontario, with an area of 92,342 hectares. It is also one of the oldest counties in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halton Catholic District School Board</span> School board in Ontario, Canada

The Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) serves over 37,000 students at its 46 elementary schools, 9 secondary schools and 3 continuing education facilities. The HCDSB serves the communities of Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton, and Oakville, with the main Board office located in Burlington, Ontario, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halton District School Board</span>

The Halton District School Board serves public school students throughout Halton Region, including the municipalities of Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville. Its administration area is to the southwest of the city of Toronto. In 2006-2007, it served almost 50,000 students, excluding those in adult, alternative, and Community Education programs.

Esquesing Township was a municipality within the historic Halton County in Ontario, Canada. It is today a geographic township in the town of Halton Hills in the Regional Municipality of Halton.

References

  1. ↑ as in the case of Brockville: An Act to establish a Police in the Town of Brockville, in the District of Johnstown , S.U.C. 1832, c. 17
  2. ↑ An Act to provide, by one general law, for the erection of Municipal Corporations, and the establishment of Regulations of Police, in and for the several Counties, Cities, Towns, Townships and Villages in Upper-Canada , S.Prov.C. 1849, c. 81, s. 42
  3. ↑ An Act respecting Municipal Institutions in the Province of Ontario , S.O. 1873, c. 48, s. 477
  4. ↑ The Municipal Amendment Act, 1965 , S.O. 1965, c. 77, s. 34
  5. ↑ The Municipal Act , R.S.O. 1960, c. 249, s. 487-490
  6. ↑ "2014 Municipal Elections - Official Results" (PDF). Township of Russell.
  7. 1 2 The Regional Municipality of York Act, 1970 , S.O. 1970, c. 50, s. 2(2)
  8. ↑ The Regional Municipality of York Act, 1970 , S.O. 1970, c. 50, s. 178(3)
  9. ↑ Marton, Michael-Allan (April 13, 2010). "Burford businessman worked to improve community". Brantford Expositor .
  10. ↑ The Police Village of St. George Act, 1980 , S.O. 1980, c. 45
  11. ↑ Ibbotson, Heather (October 4, 2014). "Flashback Oct. 4". Brantford Expositor .
  12. ↑ The Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton Amendment Act, 1973 (No. 2) , S.O. 1973, c. 138, s. 3
  13. ↑ An Act respecting the Township of South Dorchester , S.O. 1948, c. 125
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Districts and Sub-districts: Census of Canada, 1911, Ontario". Library and Archives Canada . Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  15. ↑ "Summary of the Municipal History of the County of Essex (1792 - 1923)". countyofessex.on.ca. County of Essex. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  16. 1 2 The Regional Municipality of Haldimand-Norfolk Act, 1973 , S.O. 1973, c. 96, s. 2(2)
  17. ↑ as acknowledged in An Act respecting the United Fuel Investments, Limited, the Town of Oakville, the Townships of Trafalgar and Nelson, Burlington Beach Commission and the Police Village of Bronte , S.O. 1929, c. 135
  18. ↑ The Regional Municipality of Halton Act, 1973 , S.O. 1973, c. 70, s. 2(2)
  19. ↑ withdrawn from Halton under The Regional Municipality of Halton Amendment Act, 1973 , S.O. 1973, c. 162, s. 1
  20. ↑ "Order of the Commission made under the Municipal Act: Town of Clinton, Township of Goderich, Township of Hullett" (PDF). Ontario Gazette. 133 (9): 332–335. February 26, 2000. ISSN   0030-2937., at s. 9
  21. 1 2 3 "Order of the Commission made under the Municipal Act: Township of Stephen, Town of Exeter, Township of Usborne, County of Huron" (PDF). Ontario Gazette. 133 (9): 336–342. February 26, 2000. ISSN   0030-2937., at s. 7
  22. ↑ "Order of the Commission made under the Municipal Act: United Counties of Leeds and Grenville" (PDF). Ontario Gazette. 133 (29): 1328–1329. July 15, 2000. ISSN   0030-2937., at s. 8
  23. ↑ "Order of the Commission made under the Municipal Act: Village of Cardinal, Township of Edwardsburgh" (PDF). Ontario Gazette. 133 (9): 325–327. February 26, 2000. ISSN   0030-2937., at s. 7
  24. 1 2 The Regional Municipality of Niagara Act, 1968-69 , S.O. 1968-69, c. 106, s. 2(2)
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 "Districts and Sub-districts: Census of Canada, 1921, Ontario". Library and Archives Canada . Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  26. 1 2 The Regional Municipality of Durham Act, 1973 , S.O. 1973, c. 78, s. 2(2)
  27. ↑ "Will Dissolve Village Status". Stouffville Tribune. June 15, 1967. p. 1.
  28. ↑ The County of Oxford Act, 1974 , S.O. 1974, c. 57, s. 2(2)
  29. ↑ noted in An Act to incorporate the Town of Tillsonburg and to define the limits thereof , S.O. 1871-72, c. 41
  30. ↑ The Regional Municipality of Peel Act, 1973 , S.O. 1973, c. 60, s. 2(2)
  31. ↑ "Caledon". The Canadian Encyclopedia . Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  32. ↑ County of Simcoe Act, 1993 , S.O. 1993, c. 33, s. 53(1)
  33. ↑ "Police Villages" (PDF). Kinmount Gazette. 6 (9): 14. July 2014.
  34. ↑ "Order of the Commission made under the Municipal Act: County of Victoria" (PDF). Ontario Gazette. 133 (19): 892–898. May 6, 2000. ISSN   0030-2937., at s. 10
  35. ↑ "Order of the Commission made under the Municipal Act: County of Victoria" (PDF). Ontario Gazette. 133 (27): 1227–1229. July 1, 2000. ISSN   0030-2937.
  36. ↑ The Regional Municipality of Waterloo Act, 1972 , S.O. 1972, c. 105, s. 2(2)
  37. ↑ as acknowledged in An Act to detach Certain Lands from the Police Village of Crystal Beach , S.O. 1918, c. 57
  38. ↑ The Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth Act, 1973 , S.O. 1973, c. 74, s. 2(2)
  39. ↑ Canadian Engineer. Vol. 63. Monetary Times Print Company. 1932. p. 42.
  40. ↑ McClure Gillham, Elizabeth (1975). Early settlements of King Township, Ontario. E. G. Gillham. ISBN   0969049862.
  41. ↑ An Act to erect the Police Village of Kingsdale , S.O. 1916, c. 75 , later repealed by The Township of North York Act, 1924 , S.O. 1924, c. 139
  42. ↑ Love, Jean Catharine; Sawdon, Herbert H. (1928). "Schomberg and its school (S.S. No. 14, King)". Ryerson Press . Retrieved 10 September 2017.[ permanent dead link ]

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.