The Ombudsman reviewed a closed meeting held by council for the City of Sault Ste. Marie. The complainant alleged that council decided to purchase land while in closed session contrary to the open meeting requirements of the Municipal Act, 2001. The Ombudsman’s review found that council’s discussion related to the purchase of land. Accordingly, council’s discussion was permissible under the open meeting exception for the acquisition or disposition of land (s.239(2)(c)).
City of Sault Ste. Marie - March 2, 2021
City of Sault Ste. Marie - March 2, 2021
The Ombudsman reviewed a closed meeting held by council for the City of Sault Ste. Marie. During the meeting, council voted to direct the Mayor to continue negotiations related to the acquisition of land. The Ombudsman found that the vote was permissible as it was a direction to an officer of the municipality related to council’s in camera discussion.
City of Niagara Falls - April 14, 2020
The Ombudsman reviewed a closed meeting held by council for the City of Niagara Falls. During the meeting, council voted to direct staff and officers of the municipality. The Ombudsman found that the vote was permissible as it was a direction to staff and officers related to council’s in camera discussion.
Township of The North Shore - June 29, 2018
The Ombudsman reviewed a closed meeting held by council for the Township of the North Shore relying on the personal matters exception to discuss a vacant council seat. During the closed session, council decided by consensus to fill the vacancy by way of appointment and to direct the mayor to approach a specific individual to determine their interest in the position. Council did not formally vote on these matters. The Ombudsman found that the discussion about whether to proceed by way of appointment should not have been held in closed session, and consequently, this vote should have been in open session. The Ombudsman found that council’s decision to direct the mayor to approach a specific individual, was permissible under s.239(6) of the Municipal Act, 2001.