Today, I questioned Ministry staff about the controversial Skills Development Fund. The fund is supposed to be a $2.5 billion program that gives funding to companies, unions, and non-profits to provide training to unemployed workers to help them find a job.
The message was loud and clear: Corruption will continue in future Skills Development Fund rounds
The Conservatives will not be bringing honesty or fairness to future rounds of the Skills Development Fund. They will continue to allow the Minister to select who gets the money and how much they get, no matter how bad the applicant.
In future rounds, expect to see donors of the Conservative party - from strip clubs to the Ford family’s dentist - receive millions, while more eligible applicants are passed over.
Over 700,000 Ontarians are looking for work. The government must use this fund to give funding to the best applicants, to maximize training and job creation.
In her assessment of the fund, the Auditor General found the selection process for the Skills Development Fund was not transparent, accountable, or fair.
There has to be a change. This can't go on.
Jessica Bell
MPP, University-Rosedale