The city has issued a statement in relation to being given an honourable mention in the ‘Code of Silence Award’.

A number of media and free expression groups have included North Bay in a report on Outstanding Achievement in Government Secrecy in the municipal government category.

Erin, near Guelph, won the award.

Five communities, including North Bay, received an honourable mention.

The City of North Bay’s full statement is below:

We do not currently have any information about the rationale, methodology, criteria or verification process for this ranking. We have reached out to the organization, but have not yet heard back.

In most cases, City records are available to the public with only a few exceptions such as those that are subject to Ontario’s Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90m56.

The Act balances the public’s right of access to municipal records with each individual’s right to privacy.?? 

The City of North Bay also has an Accountability and Transparency Policy https://www.cityofnorthbay.ca/media/15148/2007_243.pdf, which sets out how the municipality works to ensure that it is accountable to the public for its actions.

In addition, all public meetings are advertised in advance and live streamed. Council packages and reports are also posted to the City’s website in advance. Other information of public interest, such as meeting minutes, Council declarations of conflict and City bylaws area also posted to our website.

 

(File photo by station staff)

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