This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document.
Snapshot f3c3a2a17535 · verified 2026-06-10 ·
original document ·
archived snapshot ·
unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.
Policy: Public Notice Policy
Policy Number: CP-06
Effective Date: February 9, 2026 (adopted by By-law 014-2026)
Revised Date:
______________________________________________________________________
Purpose:
The Municipality of Thames Centre encourages accountability and transparency
through the establishment of a notice policy that promotes public participation in the
democratic process.
Section 270 of the Municipal Act, 2001 requires that the Municipality adopt and maintain
a policy with respect to the circumstances in which the municipality shall provide notice
to the public, and if notice is to be provided, the form, manner, and times notice shall be
given.
Application & Scope
The Public Notice Policy provides the framework for circumstances in which the
Municipality provides notice to the public and the form, manner, and times notice shall
be given.
The Municipality shall adhere to statutory notice to the public required by any legislation.
The Municipality shall adhere to notice requirements established by municipal policies
and by-laws, unless Council directs other forms of notice that Council considers
adequate for specific matters.
This policy does not apply to public relations materials including advertising, posters,
brochures, or event program advertisements.
Definitions
Chief Administrative Officer shall mean the Chief Administrative Officer of The
Corporation of the Municipality of Thames Centre;
Clerk shall mean the Municipal Clerk of The Corporation of the Municipality of Thames
Centre;
Council shall mean the Council of the Municipality of Thames Centre;
Legislation shall include acts or statutes, orders, and regulations;
Schedule 'F' of By-law 014-2026
Public Notice Policy
Page 2
Meeting shall have the same meaning as defined in the Municipal Act, 2001;
Municipality shall mean The Corporation of the Municipality of Thames Centre;
Notice shall mean an announcement containing information about a future event;
Website shall mean the Municipality of Thames Centre's official website at
www.thamescentre.on.ca
Responsibility
It is the responsibility of the appropriate Department Head in conjunction with the Clerk
to ensure notice requirements applicable to their department are met.
The Clerk for the Municipality shall be responsible for receiving complaints and/or
concerns related to this policy. Upon receipt of such complaint and/or concern the Clerk
shall follow the Complaint Policy.
Procedure/Policy
Notice to the public shall be provided in the circumstances and in the form, manner, and
times as follows:
(a) All circumstances set out and, in the form, manner, and times as set out in
Appendix "A", attached;
(b) If required by any legislation, in the form, manner, and times as prescribed by
the legislation;
(c) If required by another by-law, in the form, manner, and times as set out in
said by-law;
(d) If directed by Council, in the form, manner, and times as specified by Council;
or
(e) In the circumstances where, in the opinion of the Clerk, notice is reasonable
and necessary, in the form, manner, and times as determined by the Clerk.
No additional notice shall be required for subsequent meetings where a matter has
been deferred or referred to a subsequent meeting by the Council or a Committee of the
Council unless additional notice is required by legislation.
The notice requirements under this policy are minimum requirement and the Clerk may
give notice in an extended manner, if in the opinion of the Clerk, the extended manner is
reasonable and necessary in the circumstances.
Where any of the form, manner, or times of notice are not specified in Appendix "A",
legislation, or by-law, or where Council directs that notice be given, or the Clerk
Public Notice Policy
Page 3
determines that notice shall be given, the form, manner, and times of the public notice
shall be determined by the Clerk.
If a matter arises, which in the opinion of the Chief Administrative Officer, in consultation
with the Mayor, that could affect the health or well-being of the residents of the
Municipality, or if a State of Emergency is declared, or if so advised by a provincial
ministry, the notice requirements of this by-law may be waived and the Clerk shall make
every effort to provide as much notice as is reasonable.
Notice of Council and Committee Meetings
Notice for Council and Committee of Council meetings shall be given as per the
Municipality of Thames Centre Procedural By-law.
Accessibility
Council supports accessible public notice for municipal matters which may not
otherwise be prescribed to encourage public participation and ensure that the public has
the opportunity to make submissions, attend and/or request to appear as a delegate
before Council and/or committees of Council.
Under the Customer Service Standard of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities
Act (AODA), service providers must notify customers about temporary service
disruptions. Temporary service disruptions happen when services that customers with
disabilities might rely on are temporarily unavailable. Notice will be as per the
Municipality's Accessibility Standard for Customer Service Policy.
Limitations
Nothing in the policy shall prevent the Municipality from exceeding the notice provisions
as set out in this policy.
Related Policies
This policy is to be used in conjunction with the following Municipality of Thames Centre
Policies, including but not limited to:
a) Municipality of Thames Centre Procedural By-law
b) Accessibility Policy
c) Sale and Disposition of Lands Policy
d) Accountability and Transparency Policy
Related Legislation
Municipal Act, 2001
Policy Review
Appendix 'A'
NOTICE PROVISIONS
Section of
Municipal Act
Action
Policy
Section 11
Changing the Name of a Highway
Notice to be posted on the website fourteen (14) days prior to the Council meeting at which the
matter will be considered and an opportunity will be provided for members of the public to speak or
submit written comments regarding the matter.
Section 34
Permanently closing a highway
At least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the Council meeting where the matter will be
considered, notice of the proposed road and highway closing by-law will be posted on the website
and sent via regular mail to:
a) property owners and agencies with properties abutting the portion of the highway or road
allowance to be closed;
b) property owners and agencies of unopened road allowances abutting portions not being
closed, if the closure prevents them from having alternate access;
c) any abutting municipality, if applicable;
d) the fire department and any emergency services servicing the municipality;
e) the affected conservation authority, if applicable
An opportunity will be provided for the public to speak or submit written comments regarding the
matter.
Section 48
Name or Change the Name of a
Private Road
Notice will be mailed to all persons abutting the affected private road prior to the passing of the by-
law.
Notice will be posted on the website fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the Council meeting where
the matter will be considered, and the public will have an opportunity to speak or submit
correspondence regarding the matter.
Section 81(3)
Shut off of Public Utility
Notice of the proposed shut-off to be provided by personal service and/or prepaid mail or by
posting notice on the land in a conspicuous place at least seven (7) calendar days in advance, if
possible.
Section 133
Passing or amending a by-law
concerning the fortification of land
Notice to be posted on website 14 days prior to the meeting at which the matter is being
considered.
Page 2
Section of
Municipal Act
Action
Policy
Section 150
Passing or amending a licensing by-
law
Notice to be posted on the website fourteen (14) days prior to the Council meeting at which the
matter will be considered and an opportunity is provided for members of the public to speak to or
submit correspondence regarding the matter.
Section 150
Passing or amending a by-law
requiring the registry of businesses
Notice to be posted on the website fourteen (14) days prior to the Council meeting at which the
matter will be considered and an opportunity is provided for members of the public to speak to or
submit correspondence regarding the matter.
Section 187(3)
Passing or amending a by-law to
change the name of the municipality
Notice to be posted on the website and published in local newspaper(s) fourteen (14) days prior
to the Council meeting at which the matter will be considered and an opportunity is provided for
members of the public to speak to or submit correspondence regarding the matter.
Section 217
Passing or amending a by-law to
change the composition of council
Notice to be posted on the website and published in local newspaper(s) fourteen (14) days prior
to the Council meeting at which the matter will be considered and an opportunity is provided for
members of the public to speak to or submit correspondence regarding the matter.
Section 238
Changes Procedure By-law
Public notice will be given by including a by-law on a Council agenda, which is posted on the
Municipality's website.
Section 290
Adopting all or part of a Budget
Notice will be posted on the website at least seven (7) days prior to the Council meeting where the
by-law to adopt the budget will be presented.
Section 295(1)
Financial Administration - Publication
of Financial Statements
Public notice will be provided within sixty (60) days of receiving the audited financial statements by:
a) Publishing once in a newspaper;
b) Posting on the municipal website.
Upon request, the Treasurer will provide a copy of the information to taxpayers or residents at no
cost.
Section 391
Passing or amending a by-law
establishing a fee or charge
Notice to be posted on the website fourteen (14a0 days prior to the Council meeting at which the
matter will be considered and an opportunity is provided for members of the public to speak to or
submit correspondence regarding the matter.