The Ontario government under Premier Doug Ford has terminated the entire board of Conestoga College, citing evidence of serious financial and governance mismanagement. The decision follows an investigation prompted by a Toronto Sun report revealing that former college president John Tibbits received an exit package worth at least $3.8 million.
Province appoints administrator
The province has appointed Linda Franklin as administrator of Conestoga College, effective immediately. According to a government news release issued Thursday, Franklin will work closely with the college's interim president, leadership, and staff to refocus on student success and restore financial prudence and appropriate governance.
The government stated, "This action is necessary following an extensive audit, during which the government discovered numerous egregious financial decisions which lacked appropriate oversight by members of the college's Board."
Details of the exit package
While the province did not confirm the exact $3.8 million payout to Tibbits, officials hinted the amount could be higher. Under the Broader Public Sector Executive Compensation Act, departing executives may receive compensation up to 24 months of pay. However, Tibbits' package was equivalent to 83 months—nearly seven years—of his salary. According to the 2025 Sunshine List, Tibbits earned $601,684 annually, or about $50,000 per month, suggesting a buyout of approximately $4.1 million.
Other spending irregularities
The provincial audit uncovered additional financial misconduct, including a luxury trip to Italy with business-class airfare and upscale accommodation. It also found numerous large hospitality expenses, such as repeated, ineligible hospitality costs approved without proper oversight, including a $1,300 dining expense for internal staff where 50% of the pre-tax total was alcohol.
Minister of Colleges and Universities Nolan Quinn commented, "Under the administrator's oversight, I expect that responsible fiscal decision-making will return to Conestoga College, setting the college on the right path to producing the graduates Ontario needs."
Conestoga College recently laid off more than 500 staff members, which the province described as the largest layoff in the province's college sector.
