Boards, Committees, and Working Groups

Meetings of Council, Committees, and River District Board

Council has a number of committees to support its work. Committees exist to obtain public input and give advice to Council based on each committee's mandate. Council must make the final decision on all issues that affect the City.

Council may also create working groups to focus on specific goals, projects, or tasks for a set period of time. Working groups are intended to complete a specific outcome, such as a report, a recommendation, or a project, and present their work to Council through an advisory committee. Working groups may include public members and Council members and are designed to operate with limited staff support.

In addition to committees and working groups, Council members also sit on five boards. Boards are groups of individuals who are elected or appointed to take overall responsibility for the management of an organization. Minutes from board meetings are received by Council for information.

Volunteers represent the public on committees, working groups, and some boards. Positions are advertised when there are vacancies. To view a list of current vacancies, please visit our Committee Vacancies webpage.

Committees

Committee of Adjustment

Grey County Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee

Resilient Community Advisory Committee

Sustainable Community Advisory Committee

Tom Thomson Art Gallery Advisory Committee

Vibrant Community Advisory Committee

Boards

Grey Sauble Conservation Authority Board

Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library Board

Owen Sound Municipal Non-profit Housing Corporation

Owen Sound Police Service Board

River District Board of Management

Working Groups

What is a Working Group?

A working group is a subcommittee appointed by Council to work on a specific goal, project, or task. It works for a set period of time and must finish its work by the end of the current Council term. Working groups are expected to produce a clear outcome, such as:

a report;
a recommendation; or
a completed project.

The working group presents its work to Council through one of the City’s advisory committees.

Council members are not required to be part of a working group, but up to four (4) Council members may participate. Public members are selected by Council from the City’s Working Group Roster.

Working groups are expected to manage their own work and use limited City staff resources.

Working groups do not have to follow the City’s Procedural By-law. This gives them more flexibility to complete their work and achieve their goals.

What is the Working Group Roster?

The Working Group Roster is a list of volunteers interested in serving on future working groups. Applications are kept on file for the duration of the term of Council. If/when a working group is struck, a full mandate is created at that time, and members will be selected from this roster based on the selected areas of interest and relevant experience.

Are there currently any Working Groups?

Yes, two working groups are planned to begin in 2027: the Tom Thomson Art Gallery Fundraising Working Group and the Tom Thomson Art Gallery Art Collection Working Group. Both working groups will report through the Tom Thomson Art Gallery Advisory Committee.

For more information about these two working groups, see Staff Report AG-26-004 - Transition of Tom Thomson Art Gallery Teams to Working Groups.

How can I apply to the Working Group Roster?

Applications will be accepted starting October 19, 2026, through an online application form.