Farms.com Home   News

Ontario labour minister under fire over skills development funding after AG report

Ontario Labour Minister David Piccini was in the hot seat Monday as politicians are back at Queen's Park for the first time in months.

Opposition parties focused most of their questions on findings from a recent Ontario auditor general report on the Skills Development Fund, which she said was not "fair, transparent or accountable."

The auditor found that Piccini's office has been heavily involved in selecting projects that get funded under the $2.5-billion skills training program and has doled out money to applicants ranked low by bureaucrats without documenting why.

All three opposition parties are calling on Premier Doug Ford to ask for Piccini's resignation.

Ford and Piccini are resisting that call, with Piccini touting the benefits of the fund, saying it has helped thousands of people find jobs.

The auditor also found that more than 60 of the lower-scoring applicants were approved after they hired a lobbyist, which has the opposition crying foul over what they call preferential treatment.

Click here to see more...

Trending Video

Georgia Corn Farmer Breaks Down Costs, Crops & Challenges in 2025 Growing Season

Video: Georgia Corn Farmer Breaks Down Costs, Crops & Challenges in 2025 Growing Season

one-on-one interview from the fields of Seminole County, Georgia, corn and soybean grower Greg Mims walks us through the realities of farming in 2025. From planting in March to harvesting for chicken feed, Greg shares how favorable weather conditions helped this year’s crop—but also why rising input costs and low commodity prices continue to challenge profitability.

He also discusses the rotation strategy on his operation, the role of soybeans as a more economical option, and the unique advantages of farming in southwest Georgia thanks to access to the Floridan Aquifer. As president of Seminole County Farm Bureau, Greg also weighs in on the importance of advocacy and Farm Bureau’s voice at both the state and federal level.