Ontario’s Skills Development Fund Under Scrutiny Amid Ethics Investigation
Premier Doug Ford stood by the province’s Skills Development Fund amidst an ethics probe involving Labour Minister David Piccini. The integrity commissioner is investigating allegations of ethics breaches in the allocation of skills training funds.
During a news conference in Buffalo, N.Y., Ford expressed confidence in Piccini’s cooperation with the investigation. However, when asked about the possibility of Piccini’s dismissal, Ford did not provide a direct answer.
The $2.5 billion fund has faced criticism, with reports suggesting that certain beneficiaries, including endorsing unions and party donors, received preferential treatment. The auditor general highlighted concerns about biased selection processes, particularly favoring applicants who hired lobbyists.
Acknowledging the importance of training initiatives, Ford emphasized the government’s commitment to aiding over a million individuals in workforce development. The Skills Development Fund aims to support projects for hiring, training, and retraining workers, with approximately 700,000 people trained and 100,000 securing employment post-program.
Despite mounting pressure from opposition parties for Piccini’s resignation or dismissal, both he and Ford have stood firm. The integrity commissioner and the Ontario Provincial Police’s anti-rackets branch are investigating possible violations and irregularities related to the fund.
Amid calls for accountability and transparency, the scrutiny surrounding the Skills Development Fund underscores concerns over ethical practices in government funding allocation.