Opposition Leader Marit Stiles was ordered out of the Ontario legislature Wednesday after a fiery confrontation with the government over the controversial Skills Development Fund (SDF) — a dispute that escalated when she accused Premier Doug Ford’s administration of corruption.
During question period, Stiles pressed Labour Minister David Piccini about donors, lobbyists and politically connected organizations linked to SDF grants, blasting what she called “the endless grift of an anti-democratic and yes, corrupt government.”
Her comments immediately drew a reprimand from House Speaker Donna Skelly, who asked Stiles to withdraw the remarks as unparliamentary language. Stiles refused, even after repeated warnings, prompting the Speaker to eject her from the chamber. She was escorted out amid applause from opposition benches.
No criminal wrongdoing has been proven, and no charges have been laid in relation to the Skills Development Fund. However, a forensic audit of one recipient has been referred to the Ontario Provincial Police, adding to mounting scrutiny.
The government launched the $1.5 billion SDF to retrain workers for high-demand jobs and injected another $1 billion this year amid tariff pressures. But a damning report by Ontario’s auditor general found the program’s funding approvals were not fair, transparent or consistently assessed. Some applicants who scored lower than others were advanced at the direction of Piccini’s office, bypassing the fund’s established evaluation process.
A CTV News analysis also found that several successful applicants had ties to lobbyists connected to Premier Ford’s office — further fueling calls for accountability.
Piccini has faced sustained demands to resign over the controversy, but Ford continues to publicly defend both the minister and the fund.
Stiles’ dramatic removal marks the latest flashpoint in a widening political storm that shows no signs of easing at Queen’s Park.