OMBUD 2017

The Ombudsman investigated a complaint alleging that the City of Greater Sudbury council held illegal closed meetings to discuss an independent report regarding a transit ticket kiosk and to vote on writing off an uncollectible account.

The Ombudsman found that the closed meetings were permitted under the personal matters and solicitor-client privilege exceptions of the Municipal Act.

Furthermore, the evidence did not support the allegation that council voted on the uncollectible account during a closed session.

The Ombudsman investigated a complaint that the Township of Georgian Bay council held illegal closed meetings to discuss a shoreline structure that violated a zoning by-law.

The Ombudsman found that the council properly relied on the litigation or potential litigation exception under the Municipal Act to close the meetings, given threats of legal action.

However, the council contravened the Act by passing a substantive resolution during the closed session, rather than a procedural vote or direction to staff.