The Ombudsman reviewed a closed meeting held by council for the Township of North Huron to discuss fire personnel issues. This occurred during an ongoing dispute between the firefighters and the township. While in closed session, council discussed a legal opinion related to the fire department personnel. After council discussed this legal advice, approximately 40 firefighters entered the closed session and, through two representatives, spoke with council about various shared concerns. These concerns included comments about identified individuals and the department’s work environment. The Ombudsman found that the discussion fit within the labour relations or employee negotiations exception because council discussed the firefighters’ general work environment during an ongoing employment dispute.
Township of North Huron - January 9, 2018
Township of Black River-Matheson - “Location, Location, Location” - January 9, 2015
The Ombudsman reviewed a closed meeting held by council for the Township of Black River-Matheson to discuss an ongoing labour dispute with its unionized employees, relying on the labour relations or employee negotiations exception. The Ombudsman found that council’s discussions fit within the labour relations or employee negotiations exception.