The Ombudsman found that during a special meeting of council for the Township of Black River-Matheson on February 20, 2024, council held a vote in camera that was contrary to the Municipal Act, 2001 because it was not for a procedural matter or a direction to staff, even though the subject matter of the vote fit within the exception for labour relations or employee negotiations.
The Ombudsman reviewed a closed meeting held by council for the City of Niagara Falls. The meeting was closed under the acquisition or disposition of land and the solicitor-client privilege exceptions. The Ombudsman found that the meeting fit within the cited exceptions. During the closed session, council voted to direct staff to consider the matter further when council returned to open session. The Ombudsman found that the vote was procedural in nature and was permissible.