Integrity commissioner to investigate Ontario labour minister’s handling of skills development fund

Ontario’s Integrity Commissioner said Thursday they will investigate whether the Ontario labour minister David Piccini mishandled money from the Skills Development Fund.

The investigation comes after both the Liberals and the NDP brought complaints forward.

Both parties asked integrity commissioner Cathryn Motherwell to investigate, alleging Piccini committed ethics violations in his handing out money from the fund.

Motherwell’s office said it is investigating under the provisions of the Members Integrity Act.

Last week, the Ontario Provincial Police launched an investigation into a company connected to the Skills Development Fund, which is overseen by Piccini.

The government asked the OPP last month to look at the results of an audit on Keel Digital Solutions, which has been receiving funding from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities for student mental health.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford steadfastly defended the minister and said the OPP’s investigation is proof that ‘the system works’.

When asked whether Piccini should step aside, Ford said, “it just shows that the system works, and when we see something going sideways then they inform the OPP, so the system works 100 per cent.”

With files from The Canadian Press.

WATCH MORE: ‘The system works’: Ford backs minister, supports OPP probe of company receiving provincial funds