Natural person powers grant municipalities broad authority to act like a natural person or corporation would, rather than being limited to specifically listed powers. This legislative approach allows municipalities to do anything a person could legally do (make contracts, own property, borrow money) unless specifically prohibited. Natural person powers contrast with traditional municipal legislation that specified permitted activities, with anything not listed being prohibited (ultra vires). Many Canadian provinces have adopted some form of natural person powers for municipalities, reducing legal challenges to municipal actions and increasing local flexibility. However, municipalities still cannot do things specifically prohibited by provincial law.