Delegated powers are the legal authorities that provincial governments confer upon municipalities, enabling local governments to govern their communities. Unlike the federal and provincial governments, which derive powers directly from the Constitution, municipalities are created by provincial legislation and possess only those powers explicitly granted to them. These delegated powers typically include authority over local roads, water and sewage services, land use planning, local taxation, parks and recreation, and bylaw creation and enforcement. The scope of delegated powers varies by province—some grant broad "natural person powers" allowing municipalities flexibility, while others specify authorities more narrowly. Understanding delegated powers matters because municipalities cannot act beyond their delegated authority; actions exceeding their powers can be legally challenged and invalidated.