Top 10 Tips for Municipal Officials
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Know and follow the Municipal Act, 2001 and your procedure by-law’s open meeting requirements.
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Make sure you have a procedure by-law that complies with the Municipal Act – every municipality and local board is required to have one.
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Give adequate advance public notice of all meetings, including the time and location of all meetings.
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Keep meetings open to the public unless closure is specifically authorized under the Municipal Act and there is a real need to exclude the public.
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Pick the right s. 239 exception before closing a meeting.
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Pass a resolution in public that includes meaningful information about the issue to be considered (not just the exception) – before closing the doors.
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Record the meeting, including all decisions, by taking minutes, and preferably also by recording audio or video.
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Stay on topic – don’t stray from the subject stated in the resolution.
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Do not hold a vote in closed session unless it is for a procedural matter or to give directions to staff or officials.
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To the extent possible, report back publicly in open session about what occurred in closed session.
Accessible PDF of the Ombudsman's "Open Meetings - Guide for Municipalities"
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