NDP launch Integrity Commissioner investigation into Piccini

Photo by Dan Jones.

By: Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative.

New Democrat leader Marit Stiles is requesting the Integrity Commissioner to investigate whether David Pivvini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development breached any rules in his handling of the Skills Development Fund. 

Piccini, who is also the MPP for Northumberland-Peterborough South, has come under increasing pressure since Auditor General Shelley Spence found that bureaucrats in his office awarded low ranking projects within the fund.

The Canadian Press reports that Stiles believes that there has been preferential treatment and that Piccini may have violated the Member’s Integrity Act.

Keel Digital Solutions according to the Canadian Press ranked low, but is a recipient of the Skills Development Fund is being scrutinized by critics, as media outlets reports suggest one its lobbyists is a close friend of Piccini.

Spence found that approximately half of the projects designed to train and retain workers in construction manufacturing and technology were ranked low by bureaucrats and there was no documentation explaining why these projects were selected.

She determined that his office identified 64 low and medium ranked applications hired by registered lobbyists.  “Given that the Minister's Office selects  the applicants for funding and does not select only the applicants that have the highest overall score, this can create the appearance of real or potential preferential treatment by the Minter’s Office in its selection of applicants into the fund.”

Piccini in a recent interview denied wrongdoing saying the proposals are getting people trained for skills in the workforce and that he is implementing recommendations outlined in the Auditor General’s report.