Judge calls Bruce County, Ont.'s behaviour 'atrocious' in trust fund breach
Calling Bruce County’s behaviour “atrocious,” a Superior Court justice has found the county in breach of the terms of a trust fund designed to preserve the region’s history.
“The decision by Justice Lemon is a wonderful one. It’s very good for anyone who believes in transparency and democracy in Bruce County,” says Laura Robinson, a Southampton, Ont.-based heritage advocate who brought forward the legal claim.
Court heard that in 2005, heritage advocate Bruce Krug left behind a $550,000 trust for Bruce County to use to store and display the county’s archives.
In 2018, Bruce County used money from the trust to buy a property right beside the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre in Southampton.
The expected intent was to build a new archives storage facility, but two months after the purchase plans changed to involve the demolition of a 123-year Anglican rectory on the grounds and the construction of a Nuclear Innovation Institute.
The Southampton Cultural Heritage Conservancy got involved, and were granted a injunction, temporarily halting the rectory’s destruction.
Local heritage advocates then brought forth a legal claim accusing Bruce County of a “breach of the trust,” and misusing the trust for projects other than its intended purpose.
On Monday, Justice Gordon Lemon agreed, finding Bruce County in breach of the trust, as well as not being transparent enough in their decision-making process.
During a separate investigation last year, 18 closed-door meetings by Bruce County in regards to the Krug trust were found to be unlawful.
“The Krug Trust is a separate legal entity from the county and the county acted as if it was their own money." Robinson says their attitude was, "If we (Bruce County) want to demolish an historic building, and put in a nuclear institute, we can. We can do whatever we want, and we’ll do it all in secret.”
Lemon says he could not determine if the county’s actions were intentional or unintentional, simply saying in his decision, “the county’s behaviour has been atrocious, throughout.”
Bruce County Warden Janice Jackson reacted to the decision in a news release that read, “We (Bruce County Council) accept His Honour’s decision that we made mistakes in the purchase of 254 High St. We are eager to work towards a resolution with the public guardian and trustee, and Estate Trustee, in this litigation."
The 1893 Anglican rectory building still can’t be demolished, says the judge. He’s seeking submissions from all parties involved on what the next steps with the rectory and Krug trust should be.
“We’d like to see it protected. I think we’re fortunate to have it deferred to the public guardian and trustees, to see how the trust can be administered more in accordance with what Bruce Krug intended,” says Alexandra Puthon, with the Southampton Cultural Heritage Conservancy.
As for the Nuclear Innovation Institute, it has found a temporary home at the former Saugeen Shores Police headquarters, in Port Elgin. Bruce County continues to seek a permanent home for it.
No decision has been made on where Bruce County will house its county archives, that still requires a new, permanent home as well.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Guilty: Trump becomes first former U.S. president convicted of felony crimes
Donald Trump became the first former U.S. president to be convicted of felony crimes Thursday as a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through hush money payments to a porn actor who said the two had sex.
Montreal tech billionaire charged with several sex offences
Tech billionaire Robert Miller has been charged with several sexual assault charges following an investigation by Montreal police.
A pair enjoyed pricey meals and bolted when it was time to pay. Their dine and dash ended in jail
A Welsh couple who dined out on pricey meals and bolted when the bill came is now paying the price, behind bars.
NDP wants Liberals to scrap proposed election date change that could secure pensions for many MPs
The federal New Democrats want to amend the Liberal government's electoral reform legislation to scrap the proposal to push back the vote by a week and consequently secure pensions for dozens of MPs, CTV News has learned.
'I didn't think it was real': Oilers fans score free Game 4 tickets from stranger
There's always something to be happy about when the Edmonton Oilers are making good strides in the playoffs, but this is especially true for two lucky fans who were able to enjoy the sights and sounds of Game 4 — for free.
Aurora borealis returning to night skies across Canada this Friday: NOAA
If you missed the brilliant displays of the aurora borealis over North America on May 10, you may have another chance to see them on Friday night.
Doug Ford suggests immigrants behind Jewish school shooting
Ontario Premier Doug Ford suggested immigrants are to blame for the shooting of an empty Jewish school in Toronto over the weekend, despite police saying they have little information on the suspects.
Drive one of these vehicles? You may pay 37 per cent more than average insurance costs due to thefts
As the number of auto theft incidents rises in Canada, so have insurance premiums for drivers, even the ones whose vehicles aren't stolen.
Man stabbed in both legs with a machete in Times Square
A man was stabbed in both legs with a machete at New York's Times Square on Thursday afternoon, police said.