Municipal Councils must conduct business only at meetings that are open to the public with limited exceptions where a closed meeting may occur.
Members of the public have the right to complain if they feel the Municipality held a closed meeting that did not follow the rules/exemptions listed in the Municipal Act, 2001, Section 239.2 (1).
In St. Thomas, the Ontario Ombudsman is the Closed Meeting Investigator. If any complaints are received by the public about closed meetings, the Closed Meeting Investigator duties will include:
- Conducting an investigation when a complaint is received about a meeting or part of a meeting that is closed to the public
- Determine whether the meeting complied with the Municipal Act/Municipal Procedure By-Law
- Report the Results of the investigation
HOW TO SUBMIT A COMPLAINT:
Any Corporation or member of the public can submit a complaint to the investigator about a meeting or part of a meeting that is closed to the public. Complaints are always confidential. To submit a complaint follow these steps:
1, to submit a complaint, please click on the following link: https://www.ombudsman.on.ca/have-a-complaint/make-a-complaint/complaint-form-general
2. For more information regarding the Complaint process, please click on the following link: https://www.ombudsman.on.ca/have-a-complaint
3. Complete the form including ALL information fields. Provide as much information as possible. If you do not complete the form the investigator will not accept it.
Complaints should be forwarded directly to the Ombudsman's Office and not through City staff.