Minister Appoints Investigators To Examine TCDSB's Finances

    McGuinty Government Ensuring Accountability And Transparency

    TORONTO, May 25 /CNW/ -

    NEWS

    The Ontario government has appointed investigators to lead the review of
the ongoing finance and management practices at the Toronto Catholic District
School Board.
    Lead investigator Pierre Filiatrault, will work with a ministry auditor,
beginning May 26. Their work is expected to take approximately one week. The
investigators will report to the Minister on the status of the board's
progress on reforming its trustee expenses policies and practices and
developing a balanced financial position for 2008-09. The investigators will
also provide recommendations on next steps, including the possibility of
sending in a supervisor.

    The appointment of the investigators follows:

    -- The board's lack of control over current trustee expenses and
       practices
    -- The board's lack of a clear plan to implement all of the
       recommendations in Norbert Hartmann's report, "Enhancing Public Trust
       and Confidence" released on May 7
       (http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/nr/08.05/nr0507.html).
    -- The board's failure to meet budget targets set in the balanced budget
       plan.

    Education Minister Kathleen Wynne
(http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/biography/edu_minister.html) appointed
Hartmann to review trustee expense policies and practices at the board, and
make recommendations that support better accountability and more transparency.
His recommendations included:

    -- Implementing a process to prevent double-billing of expense claims
    -- Requiring the purchasing department of the board to approve any
       contract for the purchase of goods or services over $500.

    QUOTES

    "Given the seriousness of the problems facing this board, I need to see
more than good intentions. Significant change is needed, and it's needed now,"
said Wynne. "Every dollar we invest must be spent responsibly to provide a
high-quality education for our students."

    QUICK FACTS

    -- The minister has the authority (http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca
       /html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90e02_e.htmNo.BK221) to appoint
       an investigator if she has concerns about the board's ability to meet
       its financial obligations or about the board's compliance with the law
       regarding trustee expenses.
    -- Pierre Filiatrault is a former school board senior business official
       and has assisted the ministry in reviewing boards with financial
       challenges.

    LEARN MORE

    Read Norbert Hartmann's full report
    (http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/nr/08.05/EPTCreport.html).

                                                  ontario.ca/education-news
                                                     Disponible en français

For further information: Michelle Despault, Minister's Office, (416)
212-3747; Patricia MacNeil, Communications Branch, (416) 325-2676; Public
Inquiries, (416) 325-2929 or 1-800-387-5514, TTY 1-800-263-2892