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The Ontario Ombudsman has weighed in on what is likely the first decision from an independent accountability officer on the accountability and transparency provisions of strong mayor authorities since the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022 came into effect. The Ombudsman is the default closed-meeting investigator for Ontario municipalities, though the City of Hamilton has appointed the office as its designated investigator.
Ombudsman Paul Dubé received a complaint that a panel the mayor convened to provide advice on hiring a new city manager was in contravention of open meeting provisions of the Municipal Act, 2001. Mr. Dubé found that this does not constitute a committee or local board as covered by the Municipal Act . He also found that such a panel is therefore not subject to open meeting requirements of the Act because the panel was not established by, and did not report to, council. Despite the finding, Mr. Dubé recommends that the City "provide public information to clarify the nature and role of any future advisory bodies that the Mayor may rely on to support the exercise of strong mayor powers."