What is a Special Meeting?
A special meeting is any meeting held outside the regular or statutory schedule. While most Council business is conducted during regular meetings, special meetings allow for focused discussion and timely decision-making on urgent or important matters.
When is a Special Meeting Called?
A special meeting may be convened in situations such as:
- Urgent By-Law Adoption: When a new by-law is needed quickly to regulate an emerging issue, and delays would be problematic
- Budget Review: To provide dedicated time for Council to review and debate the township’s proposed financial plan
- Major Development Projects: To discuss significant projects or assess the impact of major events on the municipality
- Emergency Situations: The Head of Council may call a special meeting in response to extreme weather or other emergencies
- Council Petition: The Clerk may call a special meeting upon receiving a petition from the majority of councillors
Focussed and Purpose Driven
A special meeting has a more confined agenda than a regular meeting, as it is called for a specific purpose outside the normal schedule. This allows for focused debate on urgent, time-sensitive, or single-issue matters—such as the budget, emergency responses, or legal issues—without unrelated discussions.
Transparency & Public Notice
All special meetings are publicly posted in advance, ensuring residents are informed. Agendas, minutes, and recordings are available to the public, just like regular meetings.
For more information or to stay current, check our website's Agendas & Minutes section.
