The Ford administration has declined to release a confidential audit completed in late 2022 that examined the Royal Ontario Museum’s finances and reportedly suggested the museum consider disposing of artifacts.
The audit was commissioned by Premier Doug Ford’s government and carried out by Ernst & Young. The report remains undisclosed as of June 18, 2026.
The draft of the audit allegedly recommended that the museum explore options to sell or otherwise dispose of items in its collection as part of a financial review. The specific recommendations and any financial figures have not been made public.
The decision to keep the report confidential means that stakeholders, including museum staff, donors, and the public, have not been able to review the findings or assess the potential impact on the museum’s holdings.
The Royal Ontario Museum, located in Toronto, has not commented publicly on the audit’s recommendations or the government’s decision to withhold the document. The museum’s financial situation and any plans for asset disposition remain unverified.
The withholding of the audit occurs amid broader scrutiny of the Ford government’s fiscal policies and its approach to cultural institutions. No further details about the audit’s methodology or conclusions have been released.
As of the June 18, 2026 deadline, the audit report remains classified, and no timeline has been provided for possible disclosure.