TORONTO — Ontario has appointed a reviewer to look into bills on the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District College Board after 4 trustees spent $45,000 on a visit to Italy to purchase $100,000 value of artwork in July.
TORONTO — Ontario has appointed a reviewer to look into bills on the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District College 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 normal counsel on the Centre for Worldwide Governance Innovation, has additionally been tasked with analyzing 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 art work.
The Brantford Expositor 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 instructed the Expositor that they thought of 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 art work.
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, mother and father and their group with a severe lack of fiscal accountability and judgment,” she wrote in a press release.
The Ministry of Training can be reviewing discretionary bills in any respect college boards in Ontario.
Shull’s closing report is to be delivered by March
The province can be conducting an audit of the Thames Valley District College Board in southwestern Ontario attributable to a employees retreat in Toronto that value practically $40,000, together with a keep on the Rogers Centre lodge.
The ministry can be doing an expedited investigation of the Toronto District College Board after Premier Doug Ford raised considerations a couple of latest area journey that noticed college students from 15 colleges attend a protest on mercury contamination affecting a First Nation group within the north.
Movies of the protest on social media present some march individuals chanting pro-Palestinian slogans, which prompted Ford to complain that academics had been attempting to indoctrinate youngsters.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Dec. 19, 2024.
Allison Jones, The Canadian Press
