Ontario Premier Doug Ford is standing firmly behind his government’s funding decisions and his labour minister, even as police investigate a company that received millions in provincial support while under audit for unrelated concerns.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) confirmed Monday that they have launched an investigation into Keel Digital Solutions, following a government-requested review last month. The probe stems from a forensic audit into the company’s longtime funding from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, which supports student mental health services. That audit identified “irregularities,” prompting officials to refer the matter to police within 24 hours. All payments to Keel were halted immediately afterward.
Funding Approved Despite Earlier Red Flags
The company has been a focal point at Queen’s Park in recent weeks, as opposition leaders question why Keel continued to receive provincial funds from another ministry despite concerns already flagged in 2023.
Keel secured approximately $7.5 million from the province’s $2.5-billion Skills Development Fund (SDF), administered by the Ministry of Labour, over two rounds of funding. Internal bureaucratic evaluations had reportedly given Keel a low ranking, yet the funding was still approved.
Opposition parties say the situation raises serious conflict-of-interest questions, pointing to media reports that Labour Minister David Piccini is close friends with Keel’s lobbyist. They argue Piccini should have recused himself from any decisions regarding the company.
Ford: “You Don’t Presume Someone’s Guilty”
Premier Ford has repeatedly rejected calls to dismiss Piccini, insisting both the minister and the SDF program have acted appropriately.
“As far as I’m concerned, that SDF has gone to a lot of good people,” Ford said. “We’re going to keep driving the economy and protecting communities and their jobs.”
Addressing criticism that Keel should have been barred from receiving labour funding during the ongoing forensic audit, Ford said it would have been unfair to cut off support before the results were known.
“We cut off the funding as soon as we got the results,” Ford said. “You don’t cut it off until you get the results. You don’t presume someone’s guilty right away.”
Government Says Concerns Emerged in 2023
The Ministry of Colleges and Universities first raised concerns during a routine review of Keel’s funding last year. That review escalated into a full forensic audit after irregularities were identified.
Opposition members say the system failed by allowing the company to receive labour funding while already under scrutiny.
NDP Leader Marit Stiles criticized the government for not acting sooner.
“The minister of labour has admitted that he handpicked that same company after bureaucrats had already ranked them low, had already raised red flags,” Stiles said. “The audit was already underway. I think it defies belief that the minister of labour had no idea there was anything to be suspicious of.”
Company Responds: “We Strongly Believe We Have Complied”
Keel Digital Solutions has denied any wrongdoing and says it intends to fully cooperate with investigators.
“We strongly believe we have complied with all laws and contractual obligations,” said Jay Fischbach, the company’s chief operating officer. “We welcome the OPP and will be completely transparent and cooperative.”
Fischbach added that the company expects an apology once the investigation concludes and maintains that Keel remains focused on supporting mental health initiatives across vulnerable communities in Ontario.
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