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Cobalt, Town of

Town of Cobalt - February 25, 2026

Read the Report
committee
committee (definition)

The Ombudsman found that the Town of Cobalt’s Budget Advisory Group fit the definition of a committee in the Municipal Act, 2001, and is therefore subject to the open meeting requirements. The Town had relied on a consultant’s advice that the Budget Advisory Group could be excluded from the open meeting requirements if the Town named the body an “advisory group” rather than a “committee” and if staff determined the body’s membership.  The Ombudsman noted that how the membership of a committee or body is formed or changing the name are not relevant considerations when determining whether a committee or body fits the definition of committee in the Act.

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The Ontario Ombudsman’s work takes place on traditional Indigenous territories across the province we now call Ontario, and we are thankful to be able to work and live on this land. 

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