Assemblies In April 2003, the Minister of the Environment and Local Government, the Honourable Kim Jardine, proposed changes to the Municipalities Act, which were adopted by the Legislative Assembly. These changes seek to improve the system of local governance at the municipal level as concerns accountability, transparency and administration.  The Municipalities Act was adopted in 1967 and represents the primary legislative tool to control how municipalities function. In 1996, a general audit together with an extensive process of consultations was undertaken and concluded in April 2003.  The amended law, now adopted, includes changes concerning: The adoption of procedural by-laws governing the establishment of the time and location of council meetings, public participation therein, the election process for deputy mayor, and the creation of permanent committees. The reinforcement of inspection powers granted to officers charged with administering by-laws or enforcing clauses pertaining to the application of by-laws concerning dangerous or unsightly premises. The definition of the roles and responsibilities of elected representatives. Information to which the public can have access, including verbal proceedings, the budget, financial statements and other financial documents. The opening to the public of council and committee meetings, with the exception of files that must be discussed in camera, including files concerning or containing the following: confidential or personal information, or information that could lead to an individual’s financial loss or gain, or that could compromise negotiations leading to an agreement or contract; the anticipated acquisition or use of funds for municipal purposes; information pertaining to judicial consultations; lawsuits regarding the municipality or one of its agencies, including a case before an administrative tribunal; access to particular constructions, structures or systems, including computer or transmission systems, or pertaining to the security of these constructions, structures or systems, or access to the methods used to protect these constructions, structures or systems, or regarding the security of these methods; information collected by the RCMP; information relating to work or employment, including the negotiation of collective agreements. Furthermore, the law stipulates that if a meeting is closed to the public, a register must be made available to citizens for their examination at the Office of the Clerk during normal business hours to inform them as to the types of questions discussed at the meeting and the date of the meeting.  The regular schedule of Town Council meetings is as follows: Every second Tuesday of the month: regular monthly meeting. All other Tuesdays of the month: Council meeting. 4th Tuesday of January, April, July and October: Meeting to gather comments and suggestions from the public on all municipal issues. Note that, unless otherwise stated, meetings begin at 7:30pm in the Town Council boardroom at the Town Hall, located at 10 rue Deschênes. The members of the Town Council welcome all who are interested!