Council updates Procedure By-law, including new start time for Regular Council Meetings

At its Regular Meeting on March 18, 2026, Midland Town Council passed and enacted an updated Procedure By-law, By-law 2026-14, following a comprehensive review of the Town’s meeting procedures.

The update includes new language reflecting recent legislative changes, as well as revised rules related to electronic device use and public recordings, intended to improve meeting efficiency, transparency, and focus. The most significant change is a new start time of 2:00 p.m. for Regular Council Meetings. The first meeting under the new schedule will take place on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

“This update reflects Council’s commitment to ensuring our meeting procedures remain effective, transparent, and responsive to both Council and the community,” said Mayor Bill Gordon. “The revised start time supports more effective meeting management while maintaining public access to Council decision-making.”

As part of the update, the previously piloted Open Forum section of the Council meeting agenda was formally included in the Procedure By-law. Open Forum allows residents to provide short comments to Council on items listed on the meeting agenda, without registering as a formal deputation. Open Forum will be suspended during the municipal election period, beginning May 1, 2026, and continuing through to the end of the current Council term. The temporary suspension aligns with common municipal practices during election periods.

The updated Procedure By-law can be found online at midland.ca/ProcedureBylaw. Visit the Town’s Council and Committee meeting portal for agendas, minutes, and the complete calendar of upcoming meetings.