Ontario Construction News staff writer
Ontario’s NDP leader is calling for an ethics investigation into Labour Minister David Piccini, alleging he turned the province’s $2.5-billion Skills Development Fund into a “pay-to-play scheme.”
Marit Stiles filed a complaint with Integrity Commissioner Cathryn Motherwell on Wednesday, citing an auditor general report that found Piccini’s office had been selecting grant recipients over the advice of bureaucrats.
On X, Stiles posted the letter ad referred to Piccini as the “Minister of Favours.”
“Alongside Doug Ford, he turned the Skills Development Fund – money meant to train workers into a pay-to-play scheme,” she wrote, adding that since Piccini became minister, funding to groups that hired lobbyists connected to the Progressive Conservatives increased by 60 per cent, while donations to his own riding “skyrocketed.”
Stiles also referenced social connections between Piccini and company executives receiving funding, including attending a Toronto Maple Leafs game with one executive and travelling to Paris for the wedding of a lobbyist representing a company that received millions in grants.
“That’s just scratching the surface,” Stiles said. “The Greenbelt. Ontario Place. Now the Skills Development Fund. Doug Ford and his government are corrupt.”
Motherwell’s office confirmed it has received the complaint and is reviewing the materials to decide whether to launch a formal investigation.
The controversy has centred on several grant recipients, including Keel Digital Solutions. Media reports have highlighted that one of the company’s lobbyist is a close friend of Piccini, although the minister has said the grant was approved despite a lower score.
The government said it has asked the Ontario Provincial Police to review the results of an audit of other funding Keel received for student mental health projects, which found “irregularities.” Keel has denied wrongdoing, saying the government is conflating issues to “distract from a self-inflicted mess.”
Piccini has defended the fund and the selection process but said he will follow the auditor general’s recommendations and that his office prioritizes projects aligned with government objectives.