Kawartha Lakes, City of

February 13, 202413 February 2024
The Ombudsman received a complaint that the City of Kawartha Lakes’ Short Term Rental Licensing Program Task Force may have held illegal meetings between April and June 2023, during the development of a by-law to licence, regulate, and govern short-term rental accommodation. The Ombudsman found that there was no evidence of any illegal meetings, that the relevant sections of the by-law were discussed during open session, and consequently that there was no violation of the requirements of the Municipal Act, 2001.

April 13, 202213 April 2022

The Ombudsman received a complaint about working group meetings held by the Off Road Vehicle Task Force of the City of Kawartha Lakes on February 19 and March 4, 2021. The complainant alleged that the meetings were closed to the public in contravention of the Municipal Act, 2001. The Ombudsman found that the Task Force was a committee of council and was therefore required to hold open meetings. It was determined that there was quorum and the business of the Task Force was materially advanced at both meetings. In closing these meetings to the public, the Task Force violated the requirements of the Municipal Act, 2001.

April 13, 202213 April 2022

The Ombudsman received a complaint about working group meetings held by the Off Road Vehicle Task Force of the City of Kawartha Lakes on February 19 and March 4, 2021. The complainant alleged that the meetings were closed to the public in contravention of the Municipal Act, 2001. The Ombudsman found that because the Task Force was designated as a committee of council under the municipality’s procedure by-law and was mandated to provide advice and recommendations to council, the Task Force was obligated to comply with the open meeting rules. In closing these meetings to the public, it violated the requirements of the Municipal Act, 2001.