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TORONTO \u2014 The leader of Ontario\u2019s NDP is asking the province\u2019s integrity commissioner to investigate the labour minister, alleging he has breached ethics rules in handing out skills training funding.<\/p>\n
Labour Minister David Piccini has come under fire for his handling of the Skills Development Fund, after an auditor general report found his office has been selecting funding recipients over the advice of bureaucrats.<\/p>\n
NDP Leader Marit Stiles says in her complaint that she believes there has been preferential treatment and Piccini has violated several sections of the Member\u2019s Integrity Act, including rules against using their office to improperly further private interests.<\/p>\n
One recipient, Keel Digital Solutions \u2013 which the minister has said received a lower score \u2013 is being closely scrutinized by critics, as media reports say one of its lobbyists is a close friend of Piccini\u2019s.<\/p>\n
The government says it has asked the Ontario Provincial Police to look at the results of an audit on another source of government funding Keel has been receiving for student mental health that identified \u201cirregularities.\u201d<\/p>\n
The company says it believes the government is conflating that with the Skills Development Fund \u201cfor the sole purpose of distracting from a self-inflicted mess.\u201d<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for Piccini says the minister will fully participate in any process initiated by the integrity commissioner.<\/p>\n
\u00a92025 The Canadian Press<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n