Ombudsman has sent final report on buffet meeting to council
London Community News
The Ontario Ombudsman has announced his office faxed and couriered the final report on his investigation into whether London city council contravened the Ontario’s Municipal Act by holding a closed meeting at the Grand Harmony Buffet in February.
André Marin made the announcement over Twitter Thursday afternoon (Aug. 2), stating council is to make the report public immediately and no later than the next council meeting.
The lunch in question took place on Feb. 21 and was scrutinized because to be considered an official council or committee meeting, there must be a quorum, which in the simplest terms would take half the members of council, plus one.
Councillors Bud Polhill, Stephen Orser, Dale Henderson, Paul Van Meerbergen and Denise Brown attended the lunch and were briefly joined by Mayor Joe Fontana.
The sit-down took place over lunch — although not all members of the group were together at one time— prior to a meeting where the city’s much-debated budget was ultimately approved.