Wasaga Beach, Town of

The Ombudsman found that a committee’s in camera discussion on July 21, 2022 was  permissible under the exception for plans and instructions for negotiations. The committee strategized about potential courses of action, in the context of a request that required the Town’s consent.

The Ombudsman found that a committee’s in camera discussion on July 21, 2022 was permissible under the exception for advice subject to solicitor-client privilege because the committee received legal advice from lawyers with respect to the redevelopment of Town-owned property.

The Ombudsman found that a committee’s in camera discussion on July 21, 2022 was permissible under the exception for personal matters about an identifiable individual, given that personal information about an identifiable individual was discussed and that it was intertwined with discussions relating to the redevelopment of Town-owned property.

The Ombudsman found that a committee’s in camera discussion on July 21, 2022 was not permissible under the exception for security of the property of the municipality, as there was no indication that any threat to municipal property was discussed.

The Ombudsman reviewed a complaint alleging that council for the Town of Wasaga Beach improperly held a closed meeting on September 22, 2021. An invite-only ground-breaking ceremony was held at the site of a new twin-pad arena/library recreation complex. All council members were present but only certain members of the public were invited. The Ombudsman found that the ceremony was not considered a “meeting” under the Municipal Act, 2001 as there was no discussion between council members during the ceremony and therefore, no municipal business was advanced.

The Ombudsman reviewed a complaint alleging that council for the Town of Wasaga Beach improperly held a closed meeting during a ground-breaking ceremony that was not open to all members of the public on September 22, 2021. While there was a quorum of council members, the Ombudsman found that municipal business was not materially advanced as there was no discussion between council members during the ceremony and no decisions were made by council. The gathering did not meet the definition of a meeting under the Municipal Act, 2001 and is therefore not subject to the open meeting rules.