Committee of the Whole Meetings
Committee of the Whole meetings are intended to be a less formal forum for discussing issues. During a Committee of the Whole meeting, Council reviews and gathers information on an issue and if needed, gives direction to staff or makes a recommendation that will be brought forward to a regular Council meeting in the Consent Agenda for endorsement by Council.
Regular Committee of the Whole Meetings
Regular Committee of the Whole meetings normally take place at 5:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, unless otherwise resolved by Council or the Committee of the Whole.
The annual schedule of regular Committee of the Whole meetings is published along with the schedule of regular Council meetings to the Agendas, Minutes and Video page.
Special Committee of the Whole Meetings
Special Committee of the Whole meetings, which may be called after giving at least 24 hours notice, are open to the public, unless all or part of the meeting is closed by a vote of the Committee of the Whole.
Closed Meetings
In Camera Committee of the Whole meetings are also known as ‘closed meetings’. Closed meetings are held to discuss and give direction to staff on matters pertaining to personnel, land, labour or employee negotiations, law enforcement, litigation or potential litigation and information that is prohibited from disclosure under the Freedom of Information and Protective of Privacy Act.
Where there are in-camera items for Committee of the Whole to consider, the regular Committee of the Whole meeting, which is open to the public, shall be called to order in the Large Committee Room at 4:00 p.m. Once the motion to close the meeting to the public has passed, any members of the public who are in attendance in the Large Committee Room will be required to leave. After the closed business has been completed, the regular Committee of the Whole meeting will resume in open at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Motion to Close Meeting to the Public
The Committee of the Whole is only authorized to hold in-camera meetings under the circumstances set out in Section 90 of the Community Charter.
Prior to the Committee of the Whole closing a meeting or part of a meeting to the public, it has to state, by resolution, the fact that the meeting is to be closed, and the basis in legislation under which the meeting is to be closed. The public is not allowed to attend a closed meeting.
Council Meeting Accessibility
Committee of the Whole meetings are easily accessible for the public to attend in person (Council Chambers or the Large Committee Room, or as identified on the agenda) or electronically via Webex. Please visit the Agendas, Minutes and Video page and to view the live stream.
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