Corruption squad and auditors examine English school boards

CTV Montreal: UPAC at English schools The anti-corruption squad is investigating the two largest English school boards in Quebec

Quebec’s two largest English-language school boards will be investigated by a provincial auditor as well as the province's anti-corruption police unit after allegations of irregularities.

On Wednesday, Quebec Education Minister Sebastien Proulx confirmed he has appointed Michelle Lapointe to look into the allegations. Lapointe served as assistant deputy education minister from 2006 to 2011.

He added the allegations were related to "academic progress, graduation and financing associated with certain vocational programs" at the two boards.

"Information has been transmitted to the ministry indicating there were irregular practices," said Proulx.

Also on Wednesday, a spokesperson for UPAC confirmed it will conduct its own investigation into the two school boards.

The investigations come after CTV News reported on a series of ethical breaches made by Lester B. Pearson School Board chair Suanne Stein Day.

While Stein Day acknowledged the complaints on Monday, she has refused to step down.

International School Program

Last year Carol Mastantuono was the director of the most profitable International School program in Quebec, one that brought in students from around the world.

"The department generated about 20 million dollars a year," said Mastantuono.

She said that late last year she spoke to the director general of the LBPSB with serious concerns about some of that money.

"I had concerns with the way it was being placed. and the way it was being allocated within the school board. So I asked to have that looked into and to have an audit," said Mastatuono.

Around that time she also wrote a letter of complaint about Stein Day's actions.

Earlier this year Mastantuono was suspended, and she was fired in September because the board was "investigating possible improprieties within the department."

Now, the Education Ministry is auditing the program.

Proulx was not very specific, saying only the audit would cover finances, ethics, and how programs were approved.

Boards agree to cooperate

Both school boards issued statements after learning of the audit and the police investigations.

The Lester B. Pearson board said it had informed the Ministry of Education and UPAC itself.

Its statement reads the "board has been aware of irregularities within their International Vocational Programs Department and conducted an internal investigation."

The English Montreal School Board said "While this has caught us completely by surprise...The auditor (will have) access to any information she deems necessary to complete her work."