Confidential Brief Directive

Summary#

Council adopted a direction to keep the closed-meeting discussions and presentation for the Legal and Ethics Brief confidential, citing sections of the Access to Information Act on advice from officials and privileged information. The vote was carried 14 to 0.

  • The motion was moved by Councillor Chabot and seconded by Councillor Pantazopoulos.

What it means for you#

  • The closed-meeting discussions and presentation are to remain confidential. The decision does not say that the entire report is confidential.

Money#

No publicly available information on cost.

What is unclear#

  • The supplied material does not describe the brief’s subject or say how long the confidentiality direction applies.
  • It does not say whether any part of the report, discussions, or presentation may later be released.

Case for#

  • Council’s stated basis was that the material involved advice from officials and privileged information, which the motion cites as reasons to keep it confidential.

Case against#

  • Keeping the discussions and presentation confidential limits the public’s ability to understand the brief and assess why confidentiality was needed. The supplied material does not explain the scope or duration of the restriction.

Votes

Calgary City Council, item 12.3.2 (Legal and Ethics Brief, C2026-0492): That Council rise and report.

For (100%)

Calgary City Council, item 12.3.2 (Legal and Ethics Brief, C2026-0492): That with respect to Confidential Report C2026-0492, the following be adopted: That Council direct that the Closed Meeting discussions and presentation be held confidential pursuant to Sections 29 (Advice from officials) and 32 (Privileged information) of the Access to Information Act.

For (100%)