New Poll calls for Piccini to resign

Photo by Dan Jones

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

Pressure is mounting for Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini to resign in the wake of an Auditor General’s report.

A new poll released by Abacus Data, commissioned for CUPE found that 52 percent of those surveyed believe that Piccini should be fired or quit as Minister of  Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, over allegations that his office was involved in awarding projects that ranked low under the Skills Development Fund.

The Auditor General 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. Auditor General Shelley Spence found 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. It is also not fair, transparent or accountable to those applying for funding or to the public,” she wrote.

2000 people were surveyed, however 57 percent of respondents were unaware of the controversy, while 43 percent of Progressive Conservative voters believe that Piccini should also go. 19 percent think he should remain.

Premier Doug Ford said last month to 680News that he has full confidence in Piccini. 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.

Representatives for Piccini were not immediately available for an interview.