From time-to-time - and in accordance with rules defined in Ontario's Municipal Act - Council and certain municipal boards or committees may have closed meetings to receive information or give direction on specific topics. Local government in Ontario must be transparent and accountable. The Province has set the rules for a council, local board or a committee to go into a 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:
- The security of property of the municipality or local board;
- Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including employees;
- A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land;
- Labour relations or employee negotiations;
- Advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege;
- A matter authorized by another provincial statute;
- If the subject matter relates to a request under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act;
- If the subject matter relates to an ongoing investigation by the Ombudsman or Municipal Ombudsman.
- 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 or decision-making of the council or local board.
Council appointed the Ombudsman Ontario as the Township's Closed Meeting Investigator. Any person has the right to request an investigation as to whether the municipality, local board or committee complied with the closed meeting rules established by the Province or the Procedural By-law of the municipality or local board.
Questions about closed meetings can be directed to the Chief Administrative Officer.
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