The SDF plot thickens

And the Speaker kicks off holiday festivities

Brought to you by the Métis Nation of Ontario

ABOVE THE FOLD

Just in time for the return of Question Period today, the Skills Development Fund drama is boiling over with fresh headlines that are pouring gasoline on the file. Juicy tidbits…

The Toronto Star got its hands on secret scoring data showing more than $36 million went to 26 projects that scored 50 per cent or below, including the Carpenters District Council which got 52 per cent but still raked in $14 million — with a note reading awaiting “Minister for signature.”

Staff-flagged “application risks” (missing budgets, unclear impact, incumbent-only training) were repeatedly overridden by glowing “minister’s rationale” blurbs.

Then, the Globe revealed the OPP’s Anti-Rackets Branch is assessing whether to open a criminal investigation into Get A-Head / Keel Digital, the company tied to more than $40 million in government money — including SDF — after Treasury Board’s forensic investigators flagged suspicious activity.

Why it matters: