Bishop's University $600K bonus to principal Michael Goldbloom under fire
CBC News | Posted: April 30, 2015 2:29 PM | Last Updated: April 30, 2015
School officials want to discuss situation with the government
Quebec's Education Minister is questioning the departure bonus that Bishop's University plans to pay its principal.
A Journal de Quebec report this week said Michael Goldbloom stands to earn more than $622,000 if he leaves at the end of his current contract in 2018.
It's impossible to explain to the population this kind of arrangement - Edcuation Minister Francois Blais
That is the equivalent of two years salary and benefits.
"It's impossible to explain to the population this kind of arrangement," Education Minister François Blais told reporters at the National Assembly Wednesday.
He called the situation "unacceptable" and questioned how any organization could justify that kind of bonus to an official who, "carries out duties funded in large part by public money."
Blais also pointed out that Bishop's continues to complain about its own financial troubles.
"This is a university that tells us, 'We don't have resources. We've been cut. We cannot balance our budget,'" Blais said.
"All of that and they plan to pay the principal two years' salary."
Blais insisted he wants to find a solution to the problem, but could not say what that might be.
Bishop's plans to discuss the situation
Bishop's University has not yet commented on the situation.
School officials told CBC News the chair of the Bishop's board of governors, Robert Hall, plans to contact the education minister's office to discuss the matter.
But it is unclear when that might happen because Hall is presently on a trip to Europe.