Almost half of recommendations fully implemented 2 years after LU emerged from CCAA: AG report

Laurentian University has implemented or is in the process of implementing 81 per cent of the recommendations made two years ago by the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario (OAGO).

In November 2022, then-Ontario Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk issued a report detailing the circumstances that led to the 2021-2022 insolvency.

Laurentian University has implemented or is in the process of implementing 81 per cent of the recommendations made two years ago by the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario (OAGO). (File)

The post-secondary school filed for creditor protection in February 2021 under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA).

The 2022 report included recommendations for the school, its board of governors, the Ministry of Colleges and Universities and the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario.

In the special follow-up report released this week, the OAGO found Laurentian has fully implemented 48 per cent of the 64 recommendations directed to it, while 33 per cent are in the process of being implemented. The school has made little progress on 17 per cent of the recommendations.

In an email to the Laurentian community, president and vice-chancellor Lynn Wells said, "The progress made to date sends a clear signal that the entire Laurentian University community -- students, staff, faculty, labour partners, the Board of Governors, and the University Senate -- has come together to do the important work of implementing these recommendations."

"While we recognize that there is still a lot of work to be done, we should all appreciate the progress that has been made," the email also said.

President of the Laurentian University Faculty Association (LUFA) Fabrice Colin said that left a traumatizing impact on those left on campus, but now he sees a noticeable change.

“I guess it depends on who you ask on campus. People react differently,” he said.

“But we see some changes. We are hopeful — cautiously optimistic, but we are hopeful that we are moving in the right direction."

Colin wants to see Laurentian work to create a long-term capital plan, which Wells says is the next item on the list to tackle.

Meanwhile a spokesperson for terminated faculty said Laurentian’s progress to make change has been "dismal." They’re still waiting for their severance.

“The severances have to be paid. And they must be paid in full, not at the 80 per cent discount that came out of the negotiation,” said Eduardo Galiano-Riveros.

“We feel the university by this time should have paid back at least partially what they are mandated to pay back by court agreements, by legal agreements."

They also want a formal apology which they say is "long overdue."

Laurentian University was the first publicly funded university in Canada to file for CCAA protection. There has since been federal legislation banning post-secondary schools from declaring insolvency.

Since it emerged from CCAA in November 2022, there have been operational and governance changes.

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The follow-up report from the OAGO also found that the Ministry of Colleges and Universities has fully implemented 23 per cent of its 13 recommendations and has made progress in implementing a further 38 per cent.

The Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario has fully implemented its two recommended actions.