Quebec

Cities and Towns Act

RLRQ c C-19, Art. 321–325

Read the statute →

Sunshine Score: 52/100 (moderate)
52/100

Sunshine Score

52/100
Limited
Methodology v0.1
Advance Notice 3 days, online posting required
Public Comment Required
Closed Sessions 8 permitted categories
Minutes Required, online posting required
Recording Not required
Remote Participation Allowed
Enforcement Voidable, legislature exempt

Agenda & Notice Requirements

Regular Meetings
3 days
Special Meetings
3 days

Online posting: Required

Art. 323: for special meetings, a notice of at least 3 clear days must be given to each member of the council. For regular meetings, the notice and agenda must be posted at the municipal office and on the municipality's website at least 3 clear days before the meeting. The notice must indicate the date, time, place, and general nature of the business to be considered.

Public Participation

Public Comment
Required
Written Comment
Not allowed

The Act does not mandate public comment periods at regular council meetings. Public hearings (audiences publiques) are required for certain planning matters. Citizens have the right to attend meetings under Art. 322.

Virtual Meetings

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

Electronic participation was authorized by Bill 61 (2020) during the pandemic and made permanent by subsequent legislation. Municipalities may adopt bylaws authorizing council members to participate in meetings by technological means. Members participating remotely are counted for quorum if the enabling bylaw so provides.

Closed Sessions

Closed (executive) sessions: Allowed under specific circumstances

Permitted Categories

Meeting Minutes

Minutes Required
Yes

Online posting: Required

Content requirements: Art. 325: the clerk must prepare minutes of each council meeting recording all resolutions and decisions. Minutes must be signed by the presiding officer and the clerk. Minutes of public meetings must be accessible to the public at the municipal office and on the municipality's website.

Recording & Broadcast

Recording Required
No
Broadcast Required
No

Enforcement

Violation Effect
Voidable
Standing to Sue
Any person whose rights are affected by a decision taken in violation of the open meeting rules may seek judicial review or annulment of the decision.
Enforcement Body
No dedicated open meeting investigator. Affected parties may seek judicial review in Quebec Superior Court. The Commission municipale du Québec (CMQ) has supervisory jurisdiction over municipalities but no specific open-meeting complaint mechanism.

Scope

This law applies to:

  • City
  • Town
  • Municipality
  • Regional County Municipality

Legislature: Exempt (follows own rules)

Notes

Rural municipalities are governed by the Municipal Code of Quebec (RLRQ c C-27.1) with parallel open meeting provisions. Regional county municipalities (MRCs) are subject to the Act Respecting Municipal Territorial Organization (RLRQ c O-9). The agenda_online_required and minutes_online_required values reflect requirements added by municipal modernization legislation.

← Back to Open Meetings & Public Notice Laws

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