Hospital returns donation as fundraiser stirs controversy

St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation is returning a major donation from a Saskatoon men’s club after it came out a fundraising event didn’t keep with the hospital’s Catholic values.

On Friday, the Saskatoon branch of the Canadian Progress Club held its 36th annual Boys Out Lunch at TCU Place in Saskatoon.

Part of the invite-only fundraiser involved men watching women dance in lingerie.

Money raised from the event, a total reported to be around $25,000, was given to the hospital foundation. It has since been returned.

“It is the responsibility of St. Paul’s hospital foundation to ensure that gifts made to the foundation are in line with both our foundation and hospital’s values and mission,” St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation said in a statement.

“Upon further investigation, we have determined the “Boys Lunch Out” fundraising event is not in keeping with our hospital’s and foundation’s Catholic values, which emphasizes respect of the whole person.”

Bishop Mark Hagemoen with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon also released a statement Tuesday.

“Respect for the human person is a foundational guiding principal for Catholic institutions that provides insight and direction for all of our ministry activities, including the efforts to financially support such activities,” he wrote.

The Progress Club has since responded, saying the event has been “grossly misrepresented,” but added it will review all future fundraisers.

“We will now take this important opportunity to consult with our valued partners to review all fundraising practices going forward. This is to ensure we continue our progress in creating inclusive and positive partnerships for decades to come.”