Larder Lake, Town of

The Ombudsman reviewed a meeting held by the Planning Committee for the Town of Larder Lake. The Ombudsman recommended that the town amend its procedure by-law to address the open meeting practices of committees and to require public notice of all meetings.

The Ombudsman reviewed a closed meeting held by council for the Town of Larder Lake that relied on the litigation or potential litigation exception to discuss legal correspondence about a building permit infraction. The legal correspondence included a threat of legal action against the municipality. Council considered taking legal action in relation to the matter and provided instructions to legal counsel in order to respond to the letter. The Ombudsman found that the discussion fit within the litigation or potential litigation exception.

The Ombudsman reviewed an emergency meeting held by council for the Town of Larder Lake. Notice of the meeting was provided to council and to an individual involved in the emergency matter but it was not provided to the public. The Ombudsman found that the procedure by-law did not require notice of emergency meetings. The Ombudsman recommended that even for urgent matters, notice of the public should be provided as soon as possible.