The Ombudsman reviewed a closed meeting held by council for the Township of Georgian Bay to discuss a shoreline structure that did not meet the requirements of the zoning by-law. The meeting was closed under the litigation or potential litigation exception. The municipality had received verbal threats of legal action from neighbouring land owners if the municipality did not enforce the zoning by-law. The Ombudsman found that the discussion fit within the litigation or potential litigation exception since legal action was a reasonable prospect.
Township of Georgian Bay, January 19, 2017
Read the ReportThe Ombudsman reviewed a closed meeting held by council for the Township of Georgian Bay to discuss a shoreline structure that did not meet the requirements of the township’s zoning by-law. The meeting was closed under the litigation or potential litigation exception. During the meeting, council voted to pass a resolution regarding the shoreline structure. The Ombudsman found that the vote was not for a procedural matter or a direction to staff, and was therefore improper.