Morris-Turnberry, Township of

The Ombudsman reviewed a closed meeting held by council for the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry to discuss a confidential report about fire services. The meeting was closed under the acquisition or disposition of land exception. The report included information about a potential land acquisition, including the proposed offer price for the land. The report also included information about an overall cost analysis and comparison of fire service options. The Ombudsman found that normally that type of information would not fit within the exception, however the information was presented as background to inform council’s decision on the land acquisition. Therefore, the discussion fit within the acquisition or disposition of land exception.

The Ombudsman reviewed a closed meeting held by council for the Township of Morris-Turnberry. Council for the township met in closed session to discuss firefighting options for the municipality. The meeting was closed under the security of the property exception. The Ombudsman noted that the security of the property exception is narrowly construed. Council’s discussion did not relate to any specific concerns about the security of municipal property. Therefore, the discussion did not fit within the security of the property exception.