Closed Meetings

All Council and Committee meetings are open to the public with some exceptions.

When the subject matter of a meeting relates to a request under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the meeting or part of a meeting will be closed to the public.

A meeting or part of a meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter refers to:

• The security of property of the municipality or local board
• Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including employees
• A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land
• Labour relations or employee negotiations
• Litigation or potential litigation
• Advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege
• A matter authorized by another provincial statute
• Educating and training where no member discusses or deals with a matter in a way that materially advances the business or decision-making of the council or local board.
• Information explicitly supplied in confidence to the municipality or local board by Canada, a province or territory or a Crown agency of any of them.
• A trade secret or scientific, technical, commercial, financial or labour relations information, supplied in confidence to the municipality or local board, which, if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to prejudice significantly the competitive position or interfere significantly with the contractual or other negotiations of a person, group of persons, or organization.
• A trade secret or scientific, technical, commercial or financial information that belongs to the municipality or local board and has monetary value or potential monetary value.
• A position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board.

What steps do I take if I have a concern?

1. Contact the Clerk's Division to discuss your question or concern.
2. If you believe a meeting was closed to the public in a way that is not permitted by the Municipal Act, 2001 or Clarington's Procedural By-law, fill out the Ontario Ombudsman complaint form.