Residents of Brant-Brantford, Haldimand and Norfolk can apply for a vacant trustee seat on the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board.

Author of the article:

Celeste Percy-Beauregard, LJI reporter

Published Oct 31, 2025  •  Last updated 1 day ago  •  2 minute read

Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board's office. Photo by Celeste Percy-Beauregard /Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Residents of Brant-Brantford, Haldimand and Norfolk can apply for a vacant trustee seat on the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board.

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In the wake of a contentious trip to Italy, former trustee Mark Watson turned in his resignation last week after Education Minister Paul Calandra put forward legislation to fire him.

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“It has been a privilege to serve our Catholic learning community … during my many years as a teacher and principal, and over the past eight years as a trustee,” Watson wrote in a letter to education director Mike McDonald dated Oct. 24.

Trustees formally accepted Watson’s resignation at a board meeting Tuesday night, without comment.

Haldimand County trustee Mark Watson resigned last week, leaving a vacant seat on the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board. Mark Watson/Facebook

Watson had come under fire for refusing to repay in full $12,370 taxpayer dollars used on a lavish trip to Europe to purchase art for two new schools.

The decision to step down came after “much reflection,” his letter said.

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The board will fill his seat by taking applications from the community, rather than offering the seat to someone, appointing last election’s runner-up or holding a byelection.

This decision “ensures resources remain focused on supporting students and classrooms,” rather than having to fund a byelection, board chair Carol Luciani told The Spectator in a statement.

It would also prevent another byelection in Haldimand. The county held one in April to fill vacant Ward 1 and 4 council seats.

Beginning Oct. 30, the board will take submissions until Nov. 20, according to the report trustees saw.

Although the successful person will represent students from Haldimand County, applicants can be from any jurisdiction within the board, as outlined in the Education Act, McDonald explained.

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To be eligible, applicants must also be:

• Roman Catholic, and a supporter of the Catholic board through property taxes.
• A Canadian citizen.
• At least 18 years old.
• Not on staff at the board or disqualified from holding school board office by any legislation.

The application process will include a resume, expression of interest and short presentation to the board at an open meeting in January 2026.

Full details are on the board’s website. Haldimand County families with questions and concerns can email [email protected] or contact Luciani.

Trustees receive an honorarium determined by a base amount and student enrolment.

For the year beginning Nov. 16, regular trustees will receive $9,549. The vice-chair receives $12,361, and the chair will get $15,174.

Although Watson has resigned, Calandra said he still expects repayment — although the ministry doesn’t have a mechanism to garnish it.

As for whether the board might now be on the hook for it, the board said it “has had no additional communication from the Ministry of Education.”

Celeste Percy-Beauregard is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter based at the Hamilton Spectator. The initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

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