Overview
- Ontario’s OPP anti-rackets branch is assessing a government-referred forensic audit involving Keel Digital Solutions to determine whether a criminal investigation is warranted.
- Premier Doug Ford said the audit will not be released while with police and confirmed he will not remove Labour Minister David Piccini from cabinet.
- Keel said auditors told the company they found no irregularities, asserted the province has withheld $8.33 million since April, reported more than two dozen layoffs, and called for payments to resume.
- The auditor general previously found the Skills Development Fund’s awards were not fair, transparent or accountable, with roughly $742 million directed to lower-ranked proposals and dozens linked to registered lobbyists.
- Opposition parties pressed for Piccini’s resignation, full disclosure of funding decisions and broader forensic scrutiny, while questioning why Keel received grants after a 2023 audit first raised concerns.