The Municipal Government Act (MGA) is Alberta's primary legislation establishing the legal framework for municipal government in the province. The MGA defines municipal structures and powers, council procedures, financial requirements, land use planning rules, assessment and taxation, and provincial-municipal relationships. Other provinces have equivalent legislation under various names like Municipal Act, Cities and Towns Act, or Local Government Act. The MGA determines what Alberta municipalities can and cannot do, how they must operate, and how the province oversees local government. Major MGA reviews periodically update the legislation to address emerging issues and modernize local government authority.