Embattled Ont. trustee resigns from Catholic school board

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Education minister moves to fire Catholic school board trustee

Embattled Ont. trustee resigns from Catholic school board

Mark Watson, a Catholic school board trustee who drew the ire of Ontario’s education minister, has resigned.

The move, announced Friday by the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic School Board, came five days after Education Minister Paul Calandra introduced legislation to fire Watson.

“We respect Trustee Watson’s decision to step down from the board and will move forward, collaboratively, with a continued focus on teaching and learning, student well-being, and the strategic priorities that guide our Catholic school system,” said a statement from Carol Luciani, the board’s chair.

No details were shared about what led up to the decision.

“The board will not be commenting on the personal information of Trustee Mark Watson,” the post concluded.

Watson’s resignation would go into effect, once approved, at the next Meeting of the Board on Oct. 28. Trustees with the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic School Board are also expected to discuss the replacement process at that time.

Calandra’s response

The education minister called the resignation long overdue.

“It is unfortunate our government had to introduce legislation for Mr. Watson to finally do the right thing,” he said in a statement to CTV News, adding that it did not solve the underlying issue at the heart of the controversy.

“Mr. Watson still owes the board thousands in taxpayer dollars, and I expect him to pay it back,” the statement continued. “Those funds should be supporting student achievement, not paying for lavish all-inclusive European summer vacations for out of touch school board trustees.”

Trustee controversy

Education Minister Paul Calandra’s bill to fire Watson followed the trustee’s failure to pay for a pricey Italy trip to buy religious artwork for two new schools in July 2024.

A review of the trip found Richard Petrella, Dan Dignard, William Chopp and Mark Watson spent money on luxury cars, high-end hotel stays and fancy dinners at a Michelin star restaurant.

The total cost was an estimated $190,000.

On April 23, 2025, Calandra ordered the trustees to reimburse the board for the expenses they incurred.

While all four trustees agreed to his demand, Watson never repaid his $12,370 portion.

The education minister introduced a bill to fire Watson during Monday’s legislative session at Queen’s Park.

“If passed, [it] would remove the trustee from Haldimand County from office and bar him from running for a trustee position in any school board in the 2026 municipal elections,” Calandra said.

“He will be ineligible to fill a trustee vacancy on any Ontario school board until after November 14, 2030,” he continued. “If the trustee is unwilling to meet the basic standards of accountability, then he should no longer hold a position of public responsibility. This is about putting students first, something this trustee has failed to do.”

CTV News reached out to Watson, Calandra’s office and the school board for comment on the resignation. Watson did not responded to our initial request on Monday.