Public forum
Model Standing Orders allow for a period of up to 30 minutes to be set aside for a public forum. A public forum may be held at the commencement of the publicly available Part l session of any Council or Academic Board meeting. Members of the public may attend to address the meeting for up to five minutes on items. Speakers may be questioned through the Chairperson by members, but questions must be confined to obtaining information or clarification on matters raised by the speaker. The Chairperson has discretion regarding time extensions.
Attendance
If you would like to attend and speak at a Council or Academic Board meeting, notify the Executive Officer/Secretary of the Board at least three working days before the commencement of the meeting.
You should advise the Executive Officer/ Secretary of the following information:
- Your name, title, and contact information.
- The meeting you wish to address.
- The subject/topic of address.
- Whether you are speaking representing an organization or group.
- If you are intending to present material as part of your address.
The Executive Officer/ Secretary will respond to requests, confirming the meeting date, time and location, including an allocated speaking time. Online attendance of Part I meetings will be accommodated where possible.
Restrictions on speaking at meetings
The Chairperson has the discretion to decline to hear a speaker or to terminate a presentation at any time where:
- a speaker is repeating views presented by an earlier speaker
- the speaker is criticizing Council/Board members
- the speaker is being repetitious, disrespectful, or offensive
- the speaker has previously spoken on the same issue
- the matter is subject to legal proceedings
- the matter is subject to a process providing for the hearing of submissions.
Meeting minutes
Public forum items will be recorded within the publicly available minutes of the meeting.