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Audio record for council finds favour
were too many others had either poor re- cords with scanty details about the topics discussed behind closed doors while sev- eral councils had no record at all of their in-camera sessions and also resented at- tempts by his office to investigate com- plaints about their activities. “Some are shockingly secretive, suspi- cious and resentful of the very idea they can be investigated,” Marin stated. “And many are well-intentioned but baffled by the complexity of the law.” Marin’s office is sending out information to all municipal councils and municipal ad- “It is something we’ll have to look into.” - Marcel Guibord ministrators explaining what topics may be discussed in-camera and which ones must be part of an open session of council which the public can attend. Meanwhile he has made one suggested policy change for closed-door sessions of council or of municipal advisory commit- tees. Marin urged councils to have audio or video records kept of their in-camera meet- ings both for their own benefit and to pro- vide an accurate account of such sessions should the Ombudsman’s office ever have to investigate future complaints. During phone interviews Clarence-Rock- land Mayor Marcel Guibord and several of the city’s councillors indicated possible sup- port for the idea of an audio record of in- camera meetings. “I don’t have much of a problem with that,” said Guibord, adding that he would like to consult the city’s lawyer on the topic.
“It is something we’ll have to look into.” “I would have no objections,” said Coun. René Campeau. “I would prefer having no in-camera meetings at all.” Campeau added that he dislikes the idea of closed-door meetings but understands that some topics, like those involving legal and personnel matters, must be handled in- camera until a decision is made. “I have no objection to this,” said Coun. Guy Desjardins, concerning an audio record for in-camera sessions.“I think it is a good idea to have a more accurate record for the future.” “That would be a great idea,” said Coun. André Henrie. “I would support that.”
“I wouldn’t have an issue with that,” said Coun. Raymond Serrurier, adding that an audio record would be useful should coun- cil ever need to defend its decisions in fu- ture. “It (audio record) would have to be kept secure.” Coun. Diane Choinière said she needed time to first read the OMLET report before she could comment on the ombudsman’s suggestion. “I need to read the whole thing to get the whole context,” she said. Councillors Guy Félio, Bernard Payer, and Michel Thivièrge were not available for comment by press time.
GREGG CHAMBERLAIN gregg.chamberlain@eap.on.ca
CLARENCE-ROCKLAND | The fallout is still settling from the Ontario Ombudsman’s report on “Sunshine Law” violations and secret meetings for some of the munici- pal councils in the province. One policy change suggestion from the Ombuds- man André Marin does seem agreeable to many members of Clarence-Rockland city council. In the first Open Meeting Law Enforce- ment Team (OMLET) report from the om- budsman’s office released at the end of October, Marin noted that many municipal councils kept good written records of their in-camera meetings. But he observed there
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