Open and Closed Meetings

The most important and powerful duties and functions of a municipality must be performed and exercised by its council, and an act or proceeding of council is not valid unless it is authorized or adopted by bylaw or resolution at a council meeting. For these reasons, understanding what constitutes a meeting of council, whether a meeting should be open or closed, what may transpire at a meeting, and where and when the meeting can be held, are extremely important. This paper will explore these rules, which apply to municipalities, regional districts and the Islands Trust, as well as council committees, municipal commissions, boards of variance, parcel tax roll review panels, and other bodies set out in section 93 of the Community Charter.

Download pdf: Open and Closed Meetings