Investigation Report: Ombudsman Act – Municipality of Souris-Glenwood – Airport Commission
investigations & monitoring
municipal / local body
Summary
A complaint was made that the Souris-Glenwood Airport Commission chairperson gave insufficient notice of a meeting, at which an impactful decision was made with only four commission members present. The complaint also said the municipality withheld information about Airport Commission funds. We reviewed documentation, interviewed commission members and municipal administrators, and considered relevant by-laws, policies and legislation. The four members present at the meeting were municipal council members, while the remaining commission members were citizens who are part of the airport flying club.
We found there were matters of unfairness in the short notice of the meeting, lack of agenda and lack of communication relating to the decision proposed and made. We were satisfied the municipality did not intentionally withhold financial information but lacked a clear process to facilitate requests or address complaints.
Manitoba Ombudsman made three recommendations to the municipality intended to address deficiencies, prevent a recurrence of a similar situation and instill public confidence in elected officials’ decisions. The municipality accepted all three recommendations and indicated that it was already taking steps to implement.
Case MO-07773