British Columbia — Open Meetings & Public Notice Law

Sunshine Score

26/100

Weak

Methodology v0.1

Advance Notice	1 day
Public Comment	Not required
Closed Sessions	18 permitted categories
Minutes	Required
Recording	Not required
Remote Participation	Allowed
Enforcement	Voidable, legislature exempt

How is this score calculated? →

Agenda & Notice Requirements

Regular Meetings

1 day

Special Meetings

1 day

Online posting: Not required

s. 94: council must publish annual meeting schedule at least once a year. s. 127: special meetings require at least 24 hours' notice posted at the regular meeting place and at public notice posting places, and delivered to each council member. Notice waiver requires unanimous council vote.

Public Participation

Public Comment

Not required

Written Comment

Not allowed

The Act does not require public comment periods at council meetings. Procedure bylaws under s. 124 govern meeting rules including any public participation.

Virtual Meetings

Member Remote Participation

Allowed

Counts Toward Quorum

Yes

Public Remote Comment

Not allowed

ss. 128–128.3 (added SBC 2021, c. 16, in force 2021-09-29): regular, special, and committee meetings may be conducted fully electronically if authorized by procedure bylaw. s. 128.3: individual members who cannot attend in person may participate electronically if authorized; electronic participants are deemed present. Council must designate a physical location for public attendance.

Closed Sessions

Closed (executive) sessions: Allowed under specific circumstances

Permitted Categories

Meeting Minutes

Minutes Required

Yes

Online posting: Not required

Content requirements: s. 97: open council minutes must be available for public inspection. s. 91(3): closed meeting minutes must record the names of all persons in attendance. s. 124(1)(f): procedure bylaw must provide for minute-taking and certification.

Recording & Broadcast

Recording Required

No

Broadcast Required

No

Enforcement

Violation Effect

Voidable

Standing to Sue

Any person may seek judicial review of a council decision made in violation of the open meeting rules.

Enforcement Body

No dedicated statutory meeting investigator. Affected parties may seek judicial review in BC Supreme Court. s. 89(2) prohibits voting on bylaw readings in closed session; bylaw passed in violation is subject to court challenge.

Scope

This law applies to:

Legislature: Exempt (follows own rules)

Sources & References

Notes

The 24-hour special meeting notice (s. 127) may be waived by unanimous council vote. s. 90 was amended in 2025 to add Indigenous entity negotiations as a mandatory closed session category. The Local Government Act (RSBC 2015, c. 1) contains parallel provisions (ss. 231–236) for regional districts; the Community Charter governs municipalities.