Standing committee meetings are held to hear information from staff and the public in a more informal setting.
Types of standing committee meetings
There are two standing committees of Council:
City Finance and Services Standing Committee
Policy and Strategic Priorities Standing Committee
What you need to know
Open to the public.
Usually held on a Wednesday and after a Council meeting, which is held the day before (usually on a Tuesday). View the meeting schedule
A brief Council meeting to consider ratifying the recommendations and actions of the standing committee immediately follows the standing committee meeting.
Attended by 5 voting Council members (appointed as committee members), 2 appointed non-voting external advisors, Auditor General, and the City Clerk or designate.
City Council has a variety of powers and can assume many roles, even for a single project, including:
Legislative: Enacting by-laws and making resolutions
Business: Managing municipal assets (including real estate) and their purchase and sale
"Quasi-judicial": Sitting as an administrative tribunal
There are situations where Council's legislative decisions, such as enacting a zoning by-law, will affect our business interests, such as the sale of land.
The courts have ruled that these conflicts are inevitable and that Council must carefully separate its business and legislative functions to manage the potential conflict. Example:
When Council is considering a project involving a sale of land, and there may be a financial benefit to the City if the land is rezoned, Council must act in good faith and consider the proposal with an open mind.
Each councillor must determine whether they believe the purchase or sale of land is in the best interest of the city.
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