271 Sandwich St. South | Amherstburg, ON | N9V 2A5 | Tel. 519-736-0012 | Fax. 519-736-5403 | TTY. 519-736-9860
Council Meeting Information
Most meetings of Council are open to the public and meeting material is available for review on the municipal website at Town of Amherstburg/Agendas. A closed session of Council is considered “In Camera” and the agenda and proceeding are kept confidential.
Municipal governments in Ontario have to be transparent and accountable. The provincial government has set the rules for Council, local board, or a committee to go into closed meeting. These rules are found in section 239 of the Municipal Act, 2001 (add link to Act).
When can a meeting be closed to the public?
The municipality may close a meeting to consider any of the following:
- Receiving of advice that is subject to solicitorâclient privilege
- Security of the property of the municipality (or local board)
- Acquisition or disposal of land
- Considering personal information about an identifiable individual
- Labour relations or employee negotiations
- Litigation or pending litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals
- Education or training of the members, so long as no decisionâmaking is advanced
- Any other matter permitted or required by statute
A meeting or part of a meeting must be closed to the public if the subject matter in related to a request under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
An In Camera session is held when Council needs to review/discuss a confidential issue. The meeting is closed to the public so that details can be openly discussed while protecting the integrity of the subject matter.
What steps do I take if I have a concern?
If you believe that Town Council or one of its committees or boards has held a closed meeting, or entered into discussion at a closed meeting that was not in compliance with the Municipal Act, 2001 and/or the Town of Amherstburg’s Procedural By-law, you may contact the Town Clerk to see if she can answer your questions or concerns. You may also submit a request for a meeting investigation by contacting the Office of the Ombudsman at http://www.ombudsman.on.ca.
The office of the Ontario Ombudsman investigates all requests and may be contacted at:
Ombudsman Ontario
Bell Trinity Square
483 Bay Street, 10th Floor, South Tower
Toronto, On M5G 2C9
1-800-263-1830
Email at info@ombudsman.on.ca
Ombudsman Review of Closed Meeting held February 10, 2011
Ombudsman Review of Closed Meetings held in 2011
- Mayor Hurst's comments at January 9, 2012 Public Meeting
- Audio of Mayor Hurst's comments at January 9, 2012 Public Meeting
Delegation Request
For your convenience download a delegation Request form
Print and fill out the form and return to Clerks office
*requires PDF viewer software
Link to download Delegation Request Form
Link to download Guide for Delegations
