TORONTO — Ontario has appointed a reviewer to look into bills on the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District Faculty Board after 4 trustees spent $45,000 on a visit to Italy to purchase $100,000 value of artwork in July.
Training Minister Jill Dunlop calls the board’s use of public cash “appalling.”
Aaron Shull, who’s presently the managing director and common counsel on the Centre for Worldwide Governance Innovation, has additionally been tasked with inspecting the board’s battle of curiosity and accountability insurance policies.
The 4 trustees who went to Italy have promised to pay again the journey bills and take a look at donations or different funding to offset the price of the paintings.
The Ontario Chronicle reported that the artwork bought in Italy included life-sized, hand-painted wood statues of St. Padre Pio and the Virgin Mary, a big crucifix, sculptures depicting the 14 stations of the cross and a bust of Pope Francis.
Board chair Rick Petrella initially informed the Expositor that they thought-about shopping for artwork off the shelf, however nothing stood out so he and three different trustees travelled to Italy to satisfy artisans and fee the spiritual paintings.
Dunlop says trustees are anticipated to be accountable stewards of taxpayer {dollars}.
“The BHNCDSB’s misuse of public {dollars} is appalling, they usually have failed college students, dad and mom and their neighborhood with a critical lack of fiscal duty and judgment,” she wrote in an announcement.
The Ministry of Training can also be reviewing discretionary bills in any respect college boards in Ontario.
Shull’s last report is to be delivered by March
The province can also be conducting an audit of the Thames Valley District Faculty Board in southwestern Ontario on account of a employees retreat in Toronto that value almost $40,000, together with a keep on the Rogers Centre resort.
The ministry can also be doing an expedited investigation of the Toronto District Faculty Board after Premier Doug Ford raised issues a couple of latest discipline journey that noticed college students from 15 colleges attend a protest on mercury contamination affecting a First Nation neighborhood within the north.
Movies of the protest on social media present some march members chanting pro-Palestinian slogans, which prompted Ford to complain that lecturers have been attempting to indoctrinate kids.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Dec. 19, 2024.
Allison Jones, The Canadian Press
