Minden Hills, Township of

The Ombudsman reviewed the applicability of the exception for advice subject to solicitor-client privilege to the portions of four closed meetings held by Council for the Township of Minden Hills on October 14, November 11,  and December 9, 2021 and January 27, 2022. At these meetings, Council for Minden Hills discussed legal advice obtained from the Township’s solicitors. The Ombudsman found that these discussions fit within the exception for advice subject to solicitor-client privilege.

The Ombudsman reviewed the applicability of the exception for potential litigation  to portions of two closed meetings held by Council for the Township of Minden Hills on January 27, 2022 and March 10, 2022. At the January 27, 2022 meeting, staff communicated legal advice to council pertaining to a matter that was to be before a tribunal. Accordingly, the Ombudsman found that the discussion fit within the exception for litigation or potential litigation. With respect to the March 10, 2022 meeting, Council received staff advice that litigation would be required to resolve a planning application dispute. Council’s in camera discussion fit within this exception because the prospect of litigation was more than merely speculative.

The Ombudsman reviewed the applicability of the exception for personal matters to a portion of a closed meeting held by Council for the Township of Minden Hills on November 25, 2021. The Ombudsman found that Council reviewed and discussed specific personal information about individual applicants for a working group, including the suitability of the applicants. Accordingly, the Ombudsman found that Council’s discussion fit within the exception to the open meeting rules for discussions about personal matters about an identifiable individual.