Provincial standards are requirements set by provincial governments establishing minimum levels of service quality, safety, or performance that municipalities must meet. Standards apply to areas like drinking water quality, wastewater treatment, building codes, fire protection, public health, accessibility, and policing. These standards ensure consistent service quality across the province, protecting residents regardless of where they live. However, meeting provincial standards costs money, and municipalities argue provinces should fund mandated standards. Standards are developed by provincial ministries, often with input from experts and stakeholders, and are typically set out in regulations, guidelines, or legislation.