Ontario's Premier Accountability Dashboard · Queen's Park Watch
John Tibbits
John Tibbits served as President and CEO of Conestoga College in Kitchener-Waterloo for over two decades. Under his tenure the college aggressively expanded international student enrollment, growing to become one of Ontario's largest colleges. The board approved a 55% salary increase for Tibbits in 2024, raising his pay to $636,107. He announced his abrupt retirement effective January 14, 2026 — and subsequently received a severance package of approximately $3 million, equivalent to 83 times his monthly salary and more than twice the maximum permitted under the Broader Public Sector Executive Compensation Act. A provincial audit launched in June 2025 found his tenure was marked by "numerous egregious financial decisions" including a $23,000 Italy trip for senior executives and repeated ineligible hospitality expenses.
Connected Scandals
Conestoga College's board approved a 55% salary hike for its president — pushing his pay to $636,000 — then handed him a $3 million exit package that was more than twice the legal limit. A provincial audit found a pattern of lavish spending including a $23,000 Italy trip for executives; on May 7, 2026, Ontario fired the entire board and appointed an administrator — the first time this has ever happened to an Ontario college.
As Conestoga College's president for over two decades, Tibbits oversaw a culture of executive enrichment while the college shed hundreds of employees. The board approved a 55% salary increase to $636,107 in 2024 on his behalf; his $3 million severance package violated the Broader Public Sector Executive Compensation Act. A provincial audit found his leadership produced "egregious financial decisions" including lavish travel and ineligible hospitality spending.