Alberta's Ministry of Municipal Affairs oversees the relationship between the provincial government and Alberta's municipalities (cities, towns, villages, and counties). The ministry provides grants and funding programs to municipalities, sets rules governing how local governments operate, and can intervene when municipalities face governance problems. It also handles provincial programs related to housing, emergency management, and land-use planning. Since municipalities are legally 'creatures of the province' with only powers granted by provincial legislation, this ministry significantly influences how local governments function and what resources they have available.