Councillor and alderman are terms for elected members of municipal council. 'Alderman' is an older term used historically and still in some municipalities, though 'councillor' is now more common and gender-neutral. These elected officials represent their constituents on council, participate in governance decisions, and serve as the connection between residents and municipal government. Whether called councillors or aldermen, their role involves attending meetings, voting on bylaws and budgets, serving on committees, and helping constituents navigate municipal services. The shift from alderman to councillor reflects broader changes in language and governance, though the essential representative function remains the same.