Ontario's Minister of Education, Paul Calandra, faced backlash after comparing former Near North District School Board director Craig Myles to Saddam Hussein during a discussion on education reforms. This comment came amid ongoing governance challenges at the school board, which was taken over by the province following an investigation into dysfunction, particularly regarding a $58 million school project that failed to open as scheduled. Calandra criticized Myles for his lack of leadership and for operating from a former school rather than the board's offices, stating that he had increased his salary by over 37%. This comparison drew sharp criticism from local educators, including Rob Hammond, who defended Myles as not being a tyrant but rather ineffective. Calandra later retracted his statement, acknowledging it was an inappropriate comparison made out of frustration. The proposed Bill 101 seeks to limit school board sizes and enhance ministry control over governance, while maintaining trustee positions. Critics, including NDP leader Marit Stiles, argue that the government should focus on reducing class sizes to improve student success.