Closed Meetings

Local governments in Ontario must be transparent and accountable. According to Section 239 the Municipal Act, the Township of Scugog's Council, local boards and their committees are permitted to have closed meetings for the following reasons:

• Security of property of the municipality or local board
• Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees
• Proposed or pending acquisitions or dispositions of land by the municipality or local board
• Labour relations or employee negotiations
• Litigation or potential litigation
• Advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege
• Consideration of a request under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
• A matter in respect of which a council, board, committee or other body may hold a closed meeting under another Act
• Educational or training sessions

Council, a local board or a committee must pass a resolution at a public meeting before any closed meeting can take place. The resolution must let the public know that a closed meeting is being held and explain the general nature of the meeting.

Contact the Municipal Clerk at 905-985-7346 ext. 119 for more information about closed meeting rules.

Complaints

If a person believes that a meeting of Council or a Local Board was unlawfully closed to the public, a request for an investigation may be submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario who can be reached at:
· Website: ombudsman.on.ca
· In person, by appointment 1-800-263-1830
· E-mail to info@ombudsman.on.ca
· Fax to (416) 586-3485
· Mail to:

     Office of the Ontario Ombudsman
     483 Bay Street
     10th Floor, South Tower,
     Toronto, ON
     M5G 2C9

Learn more about the Investigation Request Process Policy.