Education Minister Kathleen Wynne had sent an investigator to review the books of the Toronto Catholic School Board over its inability to manage its expenses. The probe comes in the aftermath of a report that the board's trustees spent excessively, particularly on benefit packages that cost taxpayers on the average $107,218 per trustee. Heading the investigation team will be Pierre Filitrault, a former senior business official of the same board. Wynne gave Filitrault one week to go over the books and management practices of the school board.

Familiar faces on wedding banquets involving a Canadian groom and an Indian bride were the giveaway that aroused the suspicion of Canadian immigration officials that marriage for convenience syndicates were behind the move to fast track the acquisition of resident visas by Indian nationals. After their curiosity was challenged, visa officers compared files of wedding photos submitted as proof of a legitimate wedding, which led to the conclusion syndicates were behind the rent-a-guest modus operandi.

If Ontario has its beef against the Lord's Prayer being recited daily at the Legislature, Quebec lawmakers on Friday dealt with its Christian tradition through a question if it should keep the crucifix on its National Assembly or remove the Christian symbol. The provincial legislature, however, adopted the motion filed by Quebec Premier Jean Charest to retain the crucifix. The Christian icon became a major issue in the French-speaking province celebrating its 4th centennial because of a controversial report prepared by the Bouchard-Taylor Commission.

Ten Sears Canada stores opened in Ontario Monday, possibly in violation of the Retail Business Holidays Act since it was Victoria Day. The company had been forewarned by the provincial government it might face sanctions, but Sears nevertheless went ahead and opened although it maintained it did not went against the law because the openings were private-by-invitation only affairs and were closed to the public.

Canadian Foreign Minister Maxime Bernier continues to be hot copy. After his diplomatic faux pas in Afghanistan and questions over his former girlfriend's links with biker gang members, there is now a question over his excessive airfare. According to the Toronto Star, Bernier charged to federal funds $22,573 to cover his airfare to Laos, where he attended a two-day conference in November. The trip included a stopover in Paris. Bernier's travel details were in the Foreign Affair Department's website.