Trusteeship (or official administration) occurs when a province appoints someone to oversee a municipality experiencing serious governance problems, financial distress, or dysfunction preventing effective local government. Provincial legislation typically authorizes trusteeship when municipalities cannot function properly—council paralysis, financial crisis, or governance failures may trigger intervention. Trustees or administrators may replace council authority entirely or supervise alongside elected officials depending on circumstances. Trusteeship is a significant intervention undermining local democracy, used only when other remedies fail. The goal is restoring functional governance so democratic control can resume. Trusteeship terms are typically time-limited, with elections held once stability returns. Provincial oversight of municipalities makes trusteeship possible, unlike federal-provincial relations where such intervention would be unconstitutional.