Immediate Release

Ramara, ON/ March 25, 2025 – At its March 24 meeting, Ramara Council adopted an updated procedure bylaw that will come into effect on April 1, 2025.

“This new comprehensive update will create greater efficiencies, enhance clarity and transparency, and provide additional opportunities for public engagement and participation during Council meetings. The biggest changes that residents will see are the start time of Council meetings, creating consistency with all regular meetings beginning at 9:30 a.m., the combination of Council and Committee of the Whole meetings, and the weekly distribution of a Council Information Package.”

~Mayor Basil Clarke

As stated in Section 238 of the Municipal Act, S.O. 2001, C.25, municipalities pass a procedure bylaw to govern the calling, place, and proceedings of Council and Committee meetings. The Procedure Bylaw outlines the governance process for how decisions are made and what is expected at the meetings.

Here are a few highlights from the updated procedure bylaw:

• The start time for the meetings will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will be recorded and streamed with a one-year retention.
• Council and Committee of the Whole meetings will take place on the same day. Regular meetings will begin in Council and recess to Committee of the Whole, then return to Council.
• Enhanced consent agenda: reports that will receive same-day ratification will appear under this section.
• Standardization of all submission dates, including delegations from members of the public. Under the updated bylaw, anyone wishing to present to Council will need to make a request in writing by noon on the Monday prior to the Council meeting. Presentation materials must be included with the request for deputation.
• Expanded guidelines for the open forum period.
• Inclusion of a clause to enable Council to pull a matter out of closed session and into open session.
• Removal of Liaison Councillors chairing their areas of accountability. This will revert to the mayor. Members will still introduce and speak to their items.
• Clarification on verbal motions, including introduction to postpone a motion to a specific date and ability to verbally recess a meeting.
• Enhanced reconsideration clause and notice of motion requirements for members of Council.
• Removal of verbal items from the Committee of the Whole agenda and removal of Mayor/CAO comments during Council. The mayor will still be able to provide comments via Announcements.
• Introduction of an Enquiry section. This section enables Council to ask for staff reports, which will still require advance notice to the Clerk.
• A Council Information Package will be circulated weekly on Fridays, except when there are no items. This package will include copies of communications from the public, organizations, committees, or municipal staff.

Residents can find details about Council and Committee meetings, including how to subscribe and view agendas and access council highlights, at www.ramara.ca/CouncilMeetings.

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Media Contract

Ashley Watson

Manager of Business, Communications and Community Engagement

Township of Ramara

705-484-5374 ext.322