IROQUOIS FALLS - Iroquois Falls is committed to upholding the best practices laid out in a recent ombudsman report about a closed meeting a couple of years ago, says the mayor.
Iroquois Falls Mayor Tory Delaurier provided a statement to TimminsToday about the Ontario Ombudsman Report released on Sept. 13.
“We appreciate the review presented to better serve our community and I am confident the recommendations provided have been in place following the date of the report,” he said.
The report found Iroquois Falls council had reason to go in-camera at a 2022 meeting, but didn't follow the required process to go into the closed session.
The complaint was about a closed meeting on Nov. 28, 2022, to discuss a letter from a resident. The complainant alleged the town did not follow the open meeting rules outlined in the Municipal Act.
All council meetings must be open to the public, unless it meets one of the criteria in the Municipal Act to go in-camera for a session not open to the public.
There are 11 permitted reasons to go into a closed meeting, with the main ones being for a personal matter about an identifiable person, real estate, and litigation or potential litigation.
The role of Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé includes investigating complaints related to administrative fairness, transparency and adherence to laws governing public meetings. Integrity commissioners focus specifically on ethical conduct and conflict of interest among elected officials.
Dubé determined that council's discussion of a resident's letter was justified under the exception for personal matters. The resolution to enter closed session lacked the necessary detail, though.
The Municipal Act requires councils to provide a general description of the matters discussed in closed sessions.
In this case, council’s vague wording referenced only “personal matters” and failed to meet that requirement, Dubé highlighted in his report.
Dubé urged Iroquois Falls to enhance its adherence to open meeting laws, emphasizing that even discussions involving sensitive topics should include sufficient context to uphold public trust.
“In future, council should ensure that it provides an appropriate level of informative detail in its resolutions to move into closed session,” he wrote.
The full report can be found here.
