Victoria – The Office of the Ombudsperson is inviting the public to provide input on a newly updated Open Meetings Guide aimed at supporting local governments in meeting legal obligations for transparency and accountability in decision-making.
Originally published in 2012, the Open Meetings Guide is a valuable resource for elected officials, local government staff, and members of the public. The consultation draft released today reflects over a decade of change – including new technologies for electronic meetings, updated legislation such as the Accessible BC Act and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Local governments are entrusted with decisions that shape communities,” said BC’s Ombudsperson, Jay Chalke. “Open meetings are a cornerstone of accountable government, and we want to ensure our guidance reflects current best practices.”
The updated guide sets out practical recommendations and clarifies requirements for how and when meetings must be open to the public. It also explores new challenges, such as hybrid meeting formats, accessibility requirements, and the importance of clear and adequate public notice and records.
The consultation draft is being released to ensure the updated guide benefits from a range of perspectives before it is finalized. Feedback is welcome until October 31, 2025, and can be submitted to info@bcombudsperson.ca.
The Office of the Ombudsperson continues to receive and resolve complaints about improperly closed meetings and regularly works with local governments to promote fairness and transparency. While this updated guide is designed to support compliance with current legislation, the Ombudsperson has noted that further improvements are needed to strengthen accountability – particularly in ensuring the enforceability of the legal open meetings requirements.
“Providing clear guidance helps, but ultimately, it’s the responsibility of both local governments and the province to ensure accountability mechanisms are respected and effective,” said Chalke.