TORONTO — The Ford government faced a fiery return to Queen’s Park on Monday as opposition leaders unleashed sharp criticism over how the province’s $2.5 billion Skills Development Fund was distributed — questioning the integrity of the process and the conduct of Labour Minister David Piccini.
Piccini, whose ministry oversees the fund meant to train workers for in-demand jobs, was grilled in the legislature and by reporters after revelations that he attended a wedding in France and a hockey game with lobbyists representing applicants seeking government funding. A CTV News investigation found that at least $100 million from the fund went to clients of lobbyists with ties to the premier’s office.
Opposition Leader Marit Stiles wasted no time taking aim, pointedly opening Question Period with: “How was Paris?” She accused the minister of favouring politically connected applicants, saying, “Something doesn’t smell right here. The minister admitted on live radio that he was hand-picking low-score applications over stronger proposals. And next thing we know, he’s sipping champagne in Paris with lobbyists who have business before his ministry.”
Piccini defended his actions, saying he meets people “through work with whom he socializes” and insisted some lower-scoring projects were prioritized to “ensure government priorities were being met.” When asked if successful applicants had donated to the Progressive Conservative Party, Piccini replied, “People are free to donate to whom they want. My focus is on Ontario workers.”
He stood by the fund, calling it “vital” to supporting skilled trades, first responders, and construction workers. “This is about funding important programming that’s changing people’s lives,” he said.
Despite mounting pressure from all opposition parties for Piccini to resign, Premier Doug Ford continued to back his labour minister, with his office confirming the premier “continues to have confidence” in him.
Ontario Liberal Leader John Fraser demanded Ford fire Piccini, calling his actions “a clear conflict of interest.” “If you don’t think that’s wrong,” Fraser told Ford, “then you think it’s okay — that all this is good.”
The controversy reignited concerns raised by Ontario’s auditor-general, whose recent report concluded that the Skills Development Fund’s grant selection process was “not fair, transparent, or accountable.”
Monday’s session marked the legislature’s first sitting since June, and it opened with a flurry of major legislation. Alongside Piccini’s grilling, the government tabled a red tape reduction bill that includes a province-wide ban on speed cameras, while Education Minister Paul Calandra introduced a targeted bill to remove a Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board trustee involved in a controversial taxpayer-funded trip to Italy.
As the government juggled multiple controversies, the Skills Fund scandal dominated the political spotlight — with the opposition framing it as another test of Premier Ford’s judgment and his government’s ethical standards.