Municipal councils, local boards and their committees must meet behind closed doors on occasion to deal with some matters. The purpose of a closed meeting is to receive information or give direction. Local government in Ontario must be transparent and accountable. The Province has set the rules for Council, its local boards and committees to go into a closed meeting. These rules are found in section 239 of the Municipal Act.
Any person or corporation are able to request that an investigation be undertaken respecting whether a municipality or local board, or a committee of either, has complied with closed meeting rules outlined in the Municipal Act or the City's Procedural By-Law.
Complaint Procedure & Instruction
The City has engaged the services of Aird & Berlis LLP as the Municipal Closed Meeting Investigator and has authorized them to conduct complaint investigations regarding meetings or part of meetings that are closed to the public. The Investigator will determine compliance with the Municipal Act or the applicable procedural by-law regarding closed meetings and will report on the results of investigations.
View the City’s Municipal Closed Session Investigation Policy for more information.
- All complaints must be recorded on the Municipal Investigation Complaint Form (or acceptable format noted in the Policy).
- The Form must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked “Private and Confidential” and “Complaint under Section 239 of the Municipal Act”.
- The envelope must be addressed to the City Clerk, 5th Floor – 200 McIntyre Street East, North Bay, ON P1B 8V6
You can access the form by viewing the City’s Municipal Closed Session Investigation Policy
If you are unable to print, copies of the form are available in the Clerk’s Office located on the 5th floor at City Hall during regular business hours.
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