WINNIPEG — A provincial government review into the financial and human resources practices at Red River College has been released.
The review comes after former president Stephanie Forsyth resigned last September, plagued by accusations of frivolous spending on the college’s dime and taking surplus marble from a campus project for her own kitchen renovations.
Education and Advanced Learning Minister Peter Bjornson announced plans to strengthen board governance, financial controls and capital management by introducing new legislation that would ensure appropriate spending and financial oversight at the college.
“Government expects individuals entrusted with public funds to be responsible stewards of those funds,” Bjornson said.
“Any misuse of those resources constitutes a betrayal of the public trust. When allegations regarding the former president of the college were brought to the department’s attention, we took decisive action and requested a full review of its financial and human resource practices.”
The province’s review makes 45 recommendations, which the college has accepted, to improve policies and procedures to ensure appropriate spending and financial oversight at RRC. Areas of focus include executive expense claims, contract management practices, financial reporting and human resource management practices.
David Rew, RRC’s interim president, said in a statement that the review is not a reflection of the college as a whole.
“Red River College has proudly and effectively served its students and the province of Manitoba for more than 76 years,” Rew said. “Red River College continues to be an excellent school and is focused on continuing to drive Manitoba’s economy and creating skilled graduates.”
The college says it will address all of the government’s recommendations by June 30.
Read the full review below:
