Cochrane, Town of

The Ombudsman reviewed a closed meeting held by council for the Town of Cochrane that relied on the exception for solicitor-client privilege to discuss the Ombudsman’s recommendations made in a previous report. The municipality’s solicitor was present during the meeting and provided legal advice to council. The Ombudsman found that council’s discussion fit within the exception for solicitor-client privilege.

The Ombudsman reviewed a closed meeting held by council for the Town of Cochrane. The resolution to proceed in camera stated that the matter to be discussed was “property and personnel matters.” The Ombudsman noted that the investigation into the meeting was unable to clarify the specific nature of the topic discussed in camera. The Ombudsman recommended that in order to fulfill its obligations under the Municipal Act, 2001 and its own procedure by-law, the municipality must provide in the resolution a general description of the subject matter to be discussed in closed session.

The Ombudsman reviewed a closed meeting held by council for the Town of Cochrane, which relied on the personal matters exception to discuss a contract with a specific member of the public. In addition to professional information, council’s discussion included information about the individual’s credibility and conduct. Although the exception does not apply to professional or business information about an individual, information will be considered personal information where an individual’s conduct is scrutinized. The Ombudsman found that council’s discussion fit within the personal matters exception.