Communes of Placentia
The communes of Placentia are the second-level administrative divisions of the Kingdom of Placentia. Placentia is a unitary state with a central government based in Saint-Pierre, although the Parliament of Placentia has enacted limited powers for the administration and self-governance of each commune. All Placentian communes are governed by a common council with their own elected officials. Each commune is further subdivided into parishes, which serve no administrative function but have statistical and surveying uses.
| Commune | |
|---|---|
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| Category | Municipality |
| Location |
 Placentia |
| Number | 8 (as of 2022) |
| Subdivisions | Parishes |
In Placentia, the communes are informally grouped into the three main islands in which the communes are situated in: Saint-Pierre, Miquelon-Langlade, and Brunette. The communes are named after the primary settlement within its borders and include smaller settlements and populated places.
History
Historically, Placentia consisted of only two communes: Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. As Placentia developed and its population expanded, additional settlements were founded, necessitating the empowerment of local governance in communes. In 1925, the Parliament of Placentia passed a binding resolution that recognized the local authority of communal governments, and designated a number of responsibilities and powers to them. It also established four communes: Saint-Pierre, L'lle-aux-Marins, Miquelon, and Langlade. Three additional communes were created in 1963: Brossard and Mirande (the former separating from Saint-Pierre and the latter separating from Miquelon). The final two communes were created in 1978: Cap Blanc and Mercer, both of which were administered as a part of Saint-Pierre.
List of communes
| # | Commune | Island | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Saint-Pierre | Saint-Pierre Island | 12,287 |
| 2. | Miquelon | Miquelon-Langlade | 4,244 |
| 3. | Brossard | Saint-Pierre Island | 2,803 |
| 4. | Langlade | Langlade Island | 1,667 |
| 5. | L'lle-aux-Marins | Île aux Marins | 604 |
| 6. | Cap Blanc | Saint-Pierre Island | 234 |
| 7. | Mirande | Grande-Miquelon | 143 |
| 8. | Mercer | Brunette Island | 104 |
Governance
Common Council
Each commune is chiefly governed by a Common Council. The Common Council is a deliberative and legislative body which consists of five members who are elected for a two-year period by the residents of the commune. Common Councils are led by a mayor who chairs common council meetings and serves as the first among equals. Common Councils have the power to enact local ordinances, set the communal budget, provide local services, and keep vital records.
Roads Committee
The Roads Committee is the primary civilian law enforcement in each commune. They provide both policing services and road services. The maintenance, repair, and supervision of roads, paths, trails, and transportation signs are the responsible of the Roads Committee. In addition, vehicle registration and licensing is handled by the Roads Committee. Each Roads Committee is headed by an elected committee chief and assisted by two deputies. The Roads Committee consists of both voluntary, unpaid officers and professional, paid officers. The former do not have the authority to make arrests (although they may assist and they may also leave citations) while the latter have full policing powers granted by Parliament.