Public Meetings

 You can watch past Council and Committee meetings on the County of Haliburton's YouTube channel. You can read the minutes of both Council and committee meetings online at the County's meetings and agendas page after they are approved by Council.

For updates, please subscribe to meeting notifications on the CivicWeb portal.

 Council and its committees are open to the public and you do not have to register to attend.

 The topics will relate to local government responsibilities along with regional, provincial, and federal issues that affect local government.  

Meeting agendas are generally published three (3) days prior to the meeting. They include links to any related staff reports.

Council generally meets the second and fourth Wednesday of the month. Visit the meetings and agendas page to check the list of Council and committee meeting dates.

 Notice of public meetings is made with as much advance as possible through the County's News and Notices webpage, local newspapers in Haliburton County, as well as on the County's social media page and through the publishing of agendas. 

 Everyone is welcome to attend Council and committee meetings and share their perspectives. The calendar of meetings is published here, and the agendas are generally published three (3) days before each meeting.

The Clerk's Office will receive written comments about topics on an agenda and include them with the meeting material distributed to members. Note that these comments become part of the public record of the meeting. 

If you wish to speak at a meeting, please contact the Clerk's office at clerk@haliburtoncounty.ca prior to the meeting for more information. Requests to speak or written comments must typically be received no later than noon the day prior to a meeting. Individuals that do not register in advance may not have the opportunity to speak.

Please note that the name of individuals registered to speak, and a copy of any written comments will form part of the public record.

 The deadline for delegations to Council is generally one week prior to a Council meeting. Please contact the Clerk's Office at clerk@haliburtoncounty.ca for scheduling information.

Please contact the Clerk's Office at clerk@haliburtoncounty.ca for scheduling information. 

 To request permission to speak at a Council meeting, please fill out the Speaking Before Council form. 

 Accommodations can be made to speak virtually to Council, at Council meetings and Public Meetings. Please make this request in advance of meetings to the Clerk's Office at clerk@haliburtoncounty.ca. 

Please note: The livestream of Council Meetings does not allow for a virtual response from the public. This livestream is intended for viewing only. Requests to make a delegation or speak to Council must be made in advance. 

 At Public Meetings, members of the public have three to five minutes to speak to a topic.

At Council Meetings, delegations have 15 minutes to present on a topic. 

More information about speaking before council is available here. 

I am registered to speak at a Council Meeting. What will that look like?

A deputation is a citizen or group who wish to make a presentation to Council on matters of municipal interest. All requests for deputations must be submitted by form at the Speaking Before Council webpage. 

More information about making a delegation to County Council is available here.

I am registered to speak at a Public Meeting. What will that look like?

At Public Meetings, members of the public who have registered in advance with the Clerk's office have three to five minutes to speak to a topic. 

Remember to use the microphone provided.

State your name and organization you represent if applicable for the record.

Your statement should address Council and Council members.

A member of the public may not:

• address Council or Committee without permission;
• interrupt any speaker or action of the Members or any person addressing Council or Committee;
• behave in a disorderly manner;
• make any noise or sound that proves disruptive to the conduct of the meeting; or
• place placards, signs, posters, etc. or any advertising devices in the Council Chambers, or any other location in which a meeting is being conducted.

Visual presentations (Powerpoint slides, etc.) cannot be made by members of the public at Public Meetings. 

 Council meetings typically take place in the County Administration Building located at 11 Newcastle Street, Minden. Parking is available behind the building or at the Land Registry Office building located across the street. 

 Public meetings take place at the County Administration Building unless otherwise noted. In some instances, Public Meetings will be held at other locations to accommodate for space and livestreaming capabilities. 

Why does the agenda say the Public Meeting starts at 9:30 if the Council meeting starts at 9:00 a.m.?

Council meetings begin at 9 a.m. with orders of business related to the Council meeting. 

Public meetings are held within Council meetings. Please arrive for the beginning of the Council meeting, or ensure you enter Council Chambers quietly and respectfully if joining after the Council meeting has begun. 

Decorum at Council, Public Meetings and Committee Meetings

The County's Procedural By-law has established decorum for all participants to ensure a safe and secure environment for Council, Committee and Board meetings, including electronic meetings. A member of the public may not:

• address Council, or Committee without permission;
• interrupt any speaker or action of the Members or any person addressing Council or Committee;
• behave in a disorderly manner;
• make any noise or sound that proves disruptive to the conduct of the meeting; or 
• place placards, signs, posters, etc. or any advertising devices in the Council Chambers or any other location in which a meeting is being conducted.

Please remember to mute cell phones and electronic devices prior to the meeting. 

How do I receive County documents or information in an alternate format?

Documents are available for downloading from the Council meeting webpage: CivicWeb.

If you need County documents in an alternate format, please contact the Human Resource's Accessibility Department at accessibility@haliburtoncounty.ca or by phone at 705-286-1333.

We would be happy to provide a format suited to meet your needs.