The government says an Ontario school board trustee has not acknowledged requests to repay more than $11,000 in expenses from a controversial trip to Italy, despite a threat from the Minister of Education to “fire” him if he does not settle up.

Last July, Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board trustee Mark Watson was one of four elected education officials who went on a trip to Italy to purchase artwork.

The total cost of the trip was roughly $45,000, with a further $100,000 spent on artwork. The overseas mission sparked widespread outrage and led to an apology from the board.

The government ordered an official investigation into the trip.

It revealed several expenses, including a visit by the four trustees to an Italian Michelin star restaurant where they ordered four courses priced at €126.00 each, along with €216 on wine. Managing the fallout of the trip cost another $63,000 in legal fees.

In December, after the public furor, the four trustees agreed to repay around $12,000 each. Each signed up for payment plans of roughly $130 to $250, stretching their final repayment deadlines to between 2026 and 2028.

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After he was appointed minister of education in March, however, Calandra said he wouldn’t accept the long-term repayments. He ordered the trustees to repay the full amount by May 23, 2025.

The minister’s office confirmed to Global News on Monday afternoon three of the four trustees met that deadline. They said that Watson, however, has not completed his repayment or responded to any attempts from the government to contact him.

Speaking at the end of June, Calandra said he had outlined a clear threat to Watson if the money was not repaid in full.

“We are still waiting on one trustee who has made the decision he is not going to be repaying the cost of his trip,” the education minister said on June 27.

“As I said last time to this trustee, you have an opportunity to pay back, but if he has not paid back, I will be bringing forward legislation, and I will vacate that seat. And I will fire that trustee. I will not allow parents and students to be shortchanged.”

The ministry’s report shows, as of March 6, Watson had repaid $1,216.71 of $12,370. It is not clear if he has made any payments since that date.

Watson did not respond to questions from Global News sent through his contact form on the school board’s website and to his campaign email address.

Calandra said he thought Watson should be removed from his post — to which he was elected in 2022.

“Teachers going to Dollarama to buy (supplies) while this guy refuses to pay back his $11,000. And a former educator at that!” Calandra said.

“I think he deserves to be fired if he doesn’t do the right thing.”

The Ontario legislature is not set to resume until Oct. 20, 2025, meaning Calandra will not be able to table legislation to potentially remove Watson before then.

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The father of a 21-year-old Bolton, Ont., man left in a coma after being critically injured in a four-car collision caused by an alleged impaired driver, with five prior convictions for DUIs and three separate driving bans, is upset the accused has been released on bail.

“You know that term, ‘insult to injury?’ We really felt it that day because we were like, ‘How can this happen?’” said Riz Arshad, the father, in an interview with Global News outside Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre on Monday.

The crash originally happened on July 5, and Arshad, along with his wife and three other children, has been at their son Gabriel’s bedside for the past nine days.

He said his shock has turned to anger since two police officers walked into his backyard on the evening of July 5 to tell him his son was involved in a collision.

“I’ve done my fair share of crying, and I’ve done my fair share of yelling, to be honest. It’s emotional. I’m devastated, to be honest with you. We’ve had many, many plans, and they’ve all changed. Our lives have changed completely,” said Arshad.

Gabriel was driving southbound on Highway 50 through the intersection of Coleraine Drive around 4:15 pm when, according to his father, he was struck by a small transport van that allegedly ran a red light.

“He had the right of way, and unfortunately, the individual ran a red light from my understanding at a reasonable rate of speed, and he t-boned him, more or less into the guard rail,” said Arshad.

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Gabriel was rushed to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, where he remains in intensive care in critical condition.

“He’s in a coma. He’s maybe having a surgery as we speak to be honest. He’s got a broken femur, he’s got a crushed pelvis, he’s got internal damage that took them three different surgeries to repair, a broken clavicle and severe head trauma. He hasn’t woken up yet. We do see a little bit of movement now, which is reassuring, but he hasn’t woken up yet,” said Arshad.

Arshad is confident his son, who coaches soccer and has dreams of working as a plumber, will pull through. “Really, we don’t have any prognosis, we’re just told it’s going to be a long stay at the hospital,” he said.

“We’re hopeful. I know my son is in there and I’m taking him home, but we’re not sure how long this is going to take.”

Fifty-eight-year-old Koushal Kasiram of Mississauga has been charged with impaired driving causing bodily harm, driving with excess blood alcohol and three counts of prohibited driving.

Arshad said he was in shock when he learned Kasiram was released on bail again in relation to this latest collision, despite having five prior convictions for impaired driving and having three separate lifetime driving bans.

Peel police said one of the conditions of Kasiram’s release is that he is prohibited from driving.

“I can’t believe it. I’m not sure in the five previous cases how much time he’s done or if he’s done any, but it’s shocking, it’s disappointing to be honest, that’s our justice system,” said Arshad.

Gabriel’s sister has taken to Facebook and is encouraging people to write to the Crown attorney’s office in Brampton to express concern about the bail decision.

“Mention you’re concerned about the release of Koushal Kasiram. Emphasize the seriousness of impaired driving and its impact. Urge the Crown to seek stricter bail conditions or reconsideration,” wrote Bethany Arshad.

A GoFundMe has also been organized to help the Arshad family cover rising medical and legal expenses.

“Help us give Gabriel the chance to heal, to hope, and to return to the life that was stolen from him far too soon,” Amira Arshad, Gabriel’s sister, who is organizing the online fundraiser, wrote.

Gabriel’s father said he is grateful for the support from the community. So far, more than $34,000 has been raised.

Kasiram is due back in court on Aug. 11.

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