New Brunswick

Local Governance Act

SNB 2017, c 19, §§ 10–14

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Sunshine Score: 35/100 (weak)
35/100

Sunshine Score

35/100
Weak
Methodology v0.1
Advance Notice 3 days
Public Comment Not required
Closed Sessions 7 permitted categories
Minutes Required
Recording Not required
Remote Participation Allowed
Enforcement Voidable, legislature exempt

Agenda & Notice Requirements

Regular Meetings
3 days
Special Meetings
3 days

Online posting: Not required

§ 11: notice of council meetings must be given at least 3 clear days before the meeting. Notice must be posted at the municipal office, on the municipality's website (if any), and in any other manner determined by council bylaw. The notice must state the date, time, place, and general nature of the business to be considered.

Public Participation

Public Comment
Not required
Written Comment
Not allowed

§ 10: council meetings are open to the public. The Act does not mandate public comment periods at regular council meetings.

Virtual Meetings

Member Remote Participation
Allowed
Counts Toward Quorum
Yes
Public Remote Comment
Not allowed

The Act was amended to permit electronic participation by council members. Council may adopt procedures authorizing remote attendance by members; members participating electronically may count toward quorum.

Closed Sessions

Closed (executive) sessions: Allowed under specific circumstances

Permitted Categories

Meeting Minutes

Minutes Required
Yes

Online posting: Not required

Content requirements: § 14: the clerk must prepare minutes of each council meeting recording all resolutions and decisions. Minutes must be adopted by council at a subsequent meeting and are available for public inspection.

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 requirements.
Enforcement Body
No dedicated open meeting investigator. Affected parties may seek judicial review in New Brunswick Court of King's Bench.

Scope

This law applies to:

  • City
  • Town
  • Village
  • Municipality
  • Rural Community

Legislature: Exempt (follows own rules)

Notes

The Local Governance Act (2017) replaced the former Municipalities Act and significantly modernized New Brunswick municipal law. The Act covers all local governments in NB. Bilingual province: the Act is available in both English and French on CanLII.

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The specific rules for New Brunswick may differ from this general description. Consult the full statute for details.