Newfoundland and Labrador — Open Meetings & Public Notice Law

Sunshine Score

29/100

Weak

Methodology v0.1

Advance Notice	1 day
Public Comment	Not required
Closed Sessions	7 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

§ 83: notice of council meetings must be given to council members and posted publicly at the municipal office. Special meetings require at least 24 hours' notice stating the purpose, time, and place. Regular meetings follow a publicly available schedule.

Public Participation

Public Comment

Not required

Written Comment

Not allowed

§ 82: 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; members participating electronically may count toward quorum if authorized.

Closed Sessions

Closed (executive) sessions: Allowed under specific circumstances

Permitted Categories

Meeting Minutes

Minutes Required

Yes

Online posting: Not required

Content requirements: § 88: the town clerk must prepare minutes of each council meeting recording all resolutions and decisions. Minutes must be adopted by council at a subsequent meeting and signed by the presiding officer. Minutes are available for public inspection at the municipal office.

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 Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court (Trial Division).

Scope

This law applies to:

Legislature: Exempt (follows own rules)

Sources & References

Notes

St. John's is governed by the City of St. John's Act (SNL 2023, c C-17.2) which has its own meeting provisions. Corner Brook, Mount Pearl, and other cities may also have separate enabling legislation. The Municipalities Act, 1999 applies to towns and communities.