Ontario’s Education Minister Paul Calandra has escalated his scrutiny of school board governance by singling out the expenses of Toronto Catholic District School Board Chair Markus de Domenico, citing receipts for items ranging from a $145 Apple watch band to a $15 milkshake.
The Toronto Catholic District School Board is one of five boards currently under provincial supervision for what Calandra described as “years of financial mismanagement,” including a $75.2 million accumulated deficit. The minister has suggested that the role of trustees — long considered the voice of parents in education governance — may be eliminated entirely as part of broader reforms.
Receipts obtained by The Canadian Press show claims for food and personal technology, including a cookie dough shake from Holy Shakes, a 3 a.m. McDonald’s order, and the replacement of a watch band. Calandra said such claims reflect a pattern of treating “the classroom like their personal expense account.”
De Domenico defended his expenses, arguing they were tied to his work meeting parents and conducting board business without a dedicated office. “I bought them a milkshake… I think it’s such a silly attempt to smear somebody,” he said. He insisted the Apple watch purchase was approved and necessary for board communications, while the late-night McDonald’s order may have been tied to a meeting that ran late.
The chair accused Calandra of targeting him for his outspoken criticism of provincial supervision, which he says undermines parental voices and student needs. “I’ve been making the case from the beginning that supervision hurts kids. It’s clearly gotten under his skin,” de Domenico told reporters.
Critics warn the issue extends far beyond expenses. NDP education critic Chandra Pasma said removing trustees would strip parents of local representation. “This dangerous power grab by Doug Ford and Paul Calandra will mean that parents have nowhere to turn but an out-of-touch minister at Queen’s Park,” she said.
The Ontario Autism Coalition also released survey results showing that over 28% of families with children on the autism spectrum had contacted a trustee for help last year. The group warned that eliminating trustees would silence children and families, potentially worsening exclusion rates in schools.
While Calandra maintains trustees have failed in their responsibilities, opposition parties and parent advocates argue the province is deflecting from chronic underfunding of education, which has not kept pace with inflation.
The debate highlights growing tensions over accountability, governance, and the future of elected trustees in Ontario’s education system — a battle that could reshape how parents influence decisions in their children’s schools.