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Closed Meeting Investigations Why are some meetings closed to the public? Municipal councils, local boards and their committees must meet behind closed doors on occasion to deal with some matters. For example, if a municipality is being sued or if Council is considering purchasing a piece of land or if Council must deal with a labour relations issue then it is appropriate that it be able to do so at a closed meeting. The purpose of such a closed meeting is to receive information or give direction. Local government in Ontario must be transparent and accountable. To this end, the Province has set the rules for a council, local board or a committee to go into closed meeting. These rules are found in section 239 of the Municipal Act 2001, as amended. They must be strictly followed. The permitted reasons for going into a closed meeting are:
If the subject matter relates to a request under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act; The meeting is held for educating and training and no member discusses or deals with a matter in a way that materially advances the business decision-making of the council or local board. Any person or corporation may request that an investigation be undertaken respecting whether a municipality or local board or a committee of either, has complied with closed meeting rules outlined in the Municipal Act, 2001 or the applicable procedural by-law. Effective January 1, 2010, the Town will no longer contract with Local Authority Services for provision of investigation services. Requests for closed meeting investigations are to be forwarded to the Ontario Ombudsman. View the Ombudsman’s website at www.ombudsman.on.ca and click on “Make a Complaint”.
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The Town of LaSalle |
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