Public Meeting or Closed Session
The large majority of Council and Committee meetings are open to the public. The Province of Ontario regulates meetings of local Councils and is quite restrictive when specifying the reasons which allow Councils to go in Closed Session. These closed meetings are used when open discussion may jeopardize the privacy or security of certain issues which may relate to one or more of the following:
- The security of the property of the municipality.
- Personnel matters about an identifiable individual including municipal employees or Council and committee members.
- A proposed or pending acquisition of land for municipal purposes, labour relations or employee negotiations.
- Litigation or potential litigation including matters before administrative tribunals affecting the business of the municipality.
- Advice that is subject to client-solicitor privilege including communications necessary for that purpose.
- Training for Council members.
Before holding a meeting or part of a meeting that is to be closed to the public, the Council or Committee is obliged to state that the meeting will be closed to the public and the general nature of the matter(s) to be considered.
Council Meeting
Council meetings are normally held on the first and third Tuesday of each month and begin at 6:00 PM. The meetings are usually held in the Town Hall Council Chambers located on the 2nd Floor, 30 King Street East. The public is encouraged to note the meeting place which is published on the meeting agenda.
Council meetings are formal business meetings of the Town Council. Binding motions and By-laws can only be adopted during Council meetings. Council's Procedural By-law (2016-094) stipulates what items appear where on the Agenda of each regular Council and Committee of the Whole meetings, regulates the roles of members, responsibilities, and procedures during both the Council and Committee of the Whole meetings.
For further information regarding Council meetings, please call the Clerk's office at (613) 382-2149 ext. 1120.
Public Meetings
Even though all meetings of Council are open to the public unless otherwise specified, there are specific requirements under various Provincial regulations which dictate that Town Council must advertise and hold a public meeting to receive input on various matters. The most common public meetings are associated with land use planning regulations. Council welcomes both written and verbal submissions from people who may be affected by proposals being presented to Council for consideration and will be provided with an opportunity at the beginning of each regular meeting of Council - please note comments or concerns being orally expressed must be relevant to reports on the Agenda for that meeting.
Council Delegations
Members of the public wishing to make a presentation to Council for consideration can do so by being placed on the meeting's agenda as a deputation. Individuals wishing to be included on the agenda must complete the mandated form and submit it to the Clerk's Office. The Clerk will then notify the requester of the date and time when the appointment has been scheduled. The appropriate policy and application form are available under the Council Meeting section of this website.
For further information regarding the process of being included on the Council agenda please call the Clerk's office at (613) 382-2149 ext. 1120.
Council Decisions
Anyone wishing to obtain a copy of a decision made by Council may do so by contacting the Clerk's Office at Town Hall, 30 King Street East - 613-382-2149 Ext. 1120, or at clerk@gananoque.ca. Council Agendas and Minutes which contain decisions are also available on this website.
