BILL NO. 121

140A (1) In this Section, "records" means information or data recorded and stored by graphic photographic, electronic, mechanical or other means and includes books, accounts, financial records, operational data, reports, minutes, files, correspondence, drawings, photographs and electronic mail;

(2) The Minister may, from time to time, appoint one or more persons to

(a) conduct an independent financial audit of a school board;

(b) inquire into or investigate any school board matter related to

(3) Where the Minister so provides, a person appointed pursuant to subsection (2) has the powers, privileges and immunities of a commissioner under the Public Inquiries Act.

(4) The person appointed pursuant to subsection (2) is entitled to receive and shall be paid such fees as may be fixed and paid by the Minister.

(5) The person appointed pursuant to subsection (2) may

(a) examine and make copies of any relevant records or property; and

(b) upon giving a receipt therefor, remove any records or property for the purpose of making copies, in which case the copying must be carried out with reasonable dispatch and the items removed promptly thereafter returned to the school board.

(6) The person appointed pursuant to subsection (2) shall report the results of the audit, inquiry or investigation to the Minister.

(7) Upon receipt of the report, the Minister may

(a) issue such directives to the school board regarding corrective action; or

(b) take such other action as authorized by this Act,

as the Minister considers appropriate.

(yg) respecting any matter related to an audit, inquiry, investigation or report under Section 140A;