Ontario's public meeting rules questioned by political scientist
'What is a mayor doing if they're not talking to councillors about business?' Western professor asks
A professor at the University of Western Ontario said confusion over public meeting rules is "completely crazy" and hindering the political process in city councils across the province.
In a new article, political scientist Andrew Sancton discussed how Ontario Ombudsman Andre Marin changed the rules about what is considered an illegal council meeting, making regular council meetings more frustrating for those involved.
"He has, in this case, himself, made up a definition," Sancton said of Marin's decision.
Fears of getting in trouble for meeting with councillors led to problems two years ago when Sudbury's mayor at the time, Marianne Matichuk, revealed the issue at hand was only discussed with councillors at the meeting.
"What is a mayor doing if they're not talking to councillors about business?" Sancton asked of the dysfunctional situation.
"If as a result of all this, councillors everywhere are never going to talk to each other, we can expect municipal meetings that are going to go on forever and a constant state of confusion," he said.
"I think it's reflective of — I don't believe there's been a lot of conversation amongst councillors outside of council," the mayor said afterward.
Bigger wasn't available for an interview with CBC News, but said in a statement that he was following the Ombudsman's interpretation of the rules regarding closed meetings.
The Office of the Ontario Ombudsman did not respond to an interview request.