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The Ombudsman found that council for the Township of Springwater’s discussions regarding a rainbow crosswalk project and an employment matter related to the local public library fit within the exception for personal matters about an identifiable individual. A discussion concerning a completed hiring process for a staff position did not fit within the exception for labour relations and employee negotiations, but a portion did fit within the exception for personal matters. Since the remainder of that discussion could not be parsed, the Ombudsman determined that council did not contravene the Municipal Act, 2001 at its special council meeting.
The Ombudsman received a complaint regarding a closed meeting held on April 29, 2019. Council for the Township of Springwater closed the meeting to the public to discuss a legal letter. The complaint alleged that council’s discussion during that closed session did not fit within the closed meeting exception for litigation or potential litigation found in the Municipal Act, 2001. The Office’s review determined that council considered litigation or potential litigation against a named individual during the closed session. The review also determined that council discussed personal matters about an identifiable individual, another exception in the Act.