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QUEBEC — Calling the situation “serious and troubling,” the Quebec government has launched a sweeping administrative investigation into allegations of chronic mismanagement and ethical transgressions at the English Montreal School Board.

But Education Minister Jean-François Roberge has denied the inquiry is a political move designed to intimidate the board, which is among many that oppose the government’s plans to transform boards into service centres.

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“They are two totally separate issues,” Roberge told reporters, announcing what will be a nine-month “exhaustive” inquiry into the EMSB with a report due in the minister’s hands by Sept. 10.

“Launching an inquiry is not something that I take lightly. It’s important for me to guarantee all citizens of Quebec that each dollar that they give the system is well administered and that school boards, both French and English, are governed in an ethical way.”