Open Meetings: Public accessibility to the decision-making process of elected officials is an important principle in local government. Division 3, Part 4 of the Community Charter augments this principle, but also recognizes the need for council to discuss certain matters in a closed meeting.
What is a Council Meeting?
The general rule that all meetings of council be open to the public is intended to be applied broadly, in keeping with the principle of openness and court decisions on the types of gatherings that are deemed to constitute a meeting. Based on some court interpretations, a council meeting is any gathering:
- to which all members of council have been invited; and
- that is a material part of council's decision-making process.
Council gatherings where all council members could be seen to be making decisions, or moving towards making decisions, would meet this two-part definition. All such gatherings should be held in accordance with the Community Charter's open meeting provisions.
Briefings by Staff
Staff briefings to further council’s understanding of an issue that do not constitute a material part of council's decision making process would not typically be considered to be a meeting of council.
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