For immediate release:
December 20, 2024
Queen’s Park—Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady is pleased that the Minster of Education has taken her concerns with regard to the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board (BHNCDSB) seriously and has looks forward to the findings of Aaron Shull, the reviewer appointed to scrutinize the Board’s expenses, its conflict of interest and accountability policies. This comes on the heels of Brady’s November 27th question to Premier Ford asking how he will be dealing with trustees from the BHNCDSB who travelled to Italy in July to purchase $100,000 in artwork and also spent $50,000 in travel and hotels and enjoyed a $1,600 dinner at a gourmet hotel and spa, according to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
“I look forward to Mr. Shull’s findings,” Brady said. “I was shocked at the conduct of the trustees, treating taxpayer money as if it were a travel fund for their lavish Italian junket. All while parents are donating school supplies to their kids’ schools.”
As Brady previously mentioned to the Chamber, the majority of the artwork was purchased for a new ‘flagship’ school, St. Padre Pio under construction on Powerline Road in Brantford. Brady felt that a number of local artists would have been thrilled to provide art for the new school.
Brady further informed the House that Rick Petrella, Chair of the Board, said the trip was an error in judgement; she pointed out that might be believable had the trip not come a month after the school board approved changes to its trustee expense policy — changes like a bump from economy class to business for travel outside North America, allowance of charges above the standard hotel room rate and the elimination of maximum rates for meals. She also mentioned the petition calling for the immediate resignation of Petrella, Dan Dignard, Bill Chopp and Mark Watson.
“I’m truly hopeful this government, which hasn’t exactly got a stellar record for fiscal responsibility, uses this review to ensure this infraction is both penalized and prevented from happening ever again,” Brady said. “Taxpayers, parents, and students deserve much better.”
MPP Brady’s question to the Premier:
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