OMBUD 2009

The Ombudsman of Ontario investigated a complaint regarding a closed meeting held by the Township of Baldwin council on July 14, 2008.

The investigation revealed that the council contravened the open meeting requirements of the Municipal Act, 2001 by failing to provide advance public notice of the issues to be discussed, passing an inadequate resolution to go in camera, and improperly discussing and voting on a gravel tender during the closed session.

The Ombudsman recommended several amendments to the township's procedure by-law and meeting practices to ensure compliance with the Act, which the township promptly agreed to implement.

The Ombudsman investigated a complaint regarding a closed session held by a municipal council to discuss a 'property matter' related to a residential development proposal.

The Ombudsman found that while discussing a potential land purchase in closed session is permitted under the Municipal Act, 2001, the council's resolution authorizing the session was overly vague.

Furthermore, the council improperly discussed other matters, including conditions for the development proposal, which do not fall under any statutory exception for closed meetings.

The Ombudsman made several recommendations to improve the municipality's compliance with open meeting requirements.

The Ombudsman investigated a complaint regarding a special meeting held by the council of the Township of Nipissing on April 25, 2008.

The meeting was conducted via sequential telephone calls to approve an invoice for a new fire truck.

The Ombudsman found that the telephone calls constituted a meeting under the Municipal Act, 2001, and that the council failed to provide public notice or open the meeting to the public.

The Ombudsman concluded that the meeting was improperly closed and recommended that the council cease conducting telephone meetings that exclude the public.