Newmarket Catholic trustee sanctioned day after re-election

Theresa McNicol barred from board meetings until written apology made for earlier misconduct

Newmarkettoday.ca
Oct. 28, 2022
Joseph Quigley

York Catholic District School Board Trustee Theresa McNicol is facing another sanction after her attempt at an apology was deemed inadequate by fellow board members.

The Newmarket, Georgina and East Gwillimbury representative was re-elected Oct. 24 and attended a board of trustees meeting the next night. The board had previously moved she must submit a written apology after breaching the code of conduct in a meeting earlier this year. But after making a verbal apology instead and making mention of consulting a lawyer, the board voted unanimously to sanction her and require her to make a newly written apology before returning to meetings.

“We are all at a loss,” vice-chair Maria Marchese said after making the motion.

The requirement to apologize stems from a January meeting, in which McNicol requested another member apologize to her for failing to follow proper procedure at a November meeting. This request was deemed to have been done improperly and in violation of the code of conduct. The board moved earlier this month she would have to submit a written apology.

McNicol did apologize, but it was delivered verbally at the Oct. 25 meeting. Trustees decided that did not meet the board's motion for a written apology.

During the meeting, when asked why the apology was verbal, McNicol answered, “I will have to check with my lawyer.”

That comment was met with some rebuke.

Trustee Dino Giuliani questioned what legal advice McNicol was receiving.

“I’ve never seen a situation whereby a board motion has not been followed,” he said, adding that legal avenues “might cost you a lot of money and this board a lot of money.”

McNicol then sent a letter to staff during the meeting, but chair Elizabeth Crowe said it was the same as one she had made May 25, and trustees indicated it would have to be a new letter.

Although McNicol did not answer a NewmarketToday question on the lawyer comment before publication time, she said she sent two letters of apology that night and “this matter is closed now.”

Trustees will still have to make a resolution on the apology at the next meeting.

Investigation request

The board is also sending a letter requesting a provincial investigation into alleged anti-Italian, discriminatory comments made by McNicol. Five trustees have raised it as an issue and previously held out on attending meetings until the board addressed it publicly. Four of those trustees opted not to run for trustee this year and will be leaving the board next month.

McNicol has denied the allegations and has indicated she welcomes the investigation.