Municipal Closed Meeting Investigator Process
The City of Belleville is committed to ensuring that any request for an investigation under Section 239 of the Municipal Act, 2001 as amended (the Act) is dealt with in a fair, open and expeditious manner.
The municipality commits to full co-operation including the provision of all information requested by the Municipal Closed Meeting Investigator (Investigator), either written or through interviews, to assist the Investigator in his investigations.
The municipality commits to including any report received from the Investigator related to an investigation under the Act, on a public agenda and to considering such report in an open public session of Council.
Information on the Closed Meeting Investigator process is available from the City Clerk's Department, 169 Front Street, Belleville ON; or by contacting the City Clerk's Department at 613-968-6481 or through e-mail: mtmacdonald@belleville.ca.
The Closed Meeting Investigator process applies to all appointed Boards, committees and sub-committees of the municipality with the exception of the Police Services Board and the Public Library Board.
Complaint Procedure
Members of the public, including corporations, may submit a request to investigate to the Investigator relating to compliance with the Act or the Municipal Procedure By-law for meetings or part of meetings that are closed to the public.
Requesting an investigation if you believe a meeting has been improperly closed
If you believe a meeting of City Council, an applicable local board, or a committee of either has been improperly closed to the public, you may request an investigation into the matter.
To make a complaint directly to the Provincial Ombudsman:
https://www.ombudsman.on.ca/have-a-complaint/make-a-complaint
Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario | Bureau de l’Ombudsman de l’Ontario
1-800-263-1830 - Complaints Line | Ligne des plaintes
1-866-411-4211 - TTY | ATS
www.ombudsman.on.ca
Additional resource materials: