canada
Is it illegal to make notes or comments in Council Meeting minutes?
<p>In the Municipal Government Act of Alberta, section 208 states:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><strong>208(1)</strong> The chief administrative officer must ensure that </p>
  
  <p>(a) all
  minutes of council meetings are recorded in the English language,
  <strong>without note or comment;</strong></p>
</blockquote>

<p>Meeting minutes are a legal document which is signed and sealed. If the CAO were to include notes or comments in the minutes, does this make the minutes an <em>illegal</em> document?</p>

<p>Alberta isn't clear on this matter, but in most areas, meeting minutes are considered a historical document of the actions and intentions of the local government regarding decisions made, and should reflect the events and decisions of the meeting as accurately as possible.</p>

<p>By injecting unnecessary comments or notes into meeting minutes, ambiguity is introduced that may be used to oppose council decisions during legal challenges, especially in cases where the plaintiff argues bias.</p>

<p>So while it's unlikely that the notes/comments would be illegal, they may invalidate a council's decision, and cost the council considerable legal expenses.</p>
