Ontario's Official Opposition is demanding transparency from the Ford government after it was revealed a company owned by a dentist with ties to the Premier received a substantial public grant. NDP Leader Marit Stiles pressed for answers on why the firm was awarded $2 million from the province's Skills Development Fund.
NDP Leader Demands Government Accountability
The controversy emerged in the legislature, where Stiles directly challenged the government's decision-making process. She highlighted that the beneficiary was a company owned by a dental professional reportedly connected to Premier Doug Ford. "He put his money where his mouth is," Stiles stated pointedly, suggesting the grant allocation raised serious questions about fairness and preferential treatment. The NDP leader's line of inquiry focuses on whether established grant protocols were followed or if connections played a role in securing the funds.
Scrutiny Over the Skills Development Fund
The $2 million grant was disbursed from Ontario's Skills Development Fund, a program designed to support training and workforce development initiatives. The core of the NDP's concern is whether this specific allocation truly serves the fund's intended public purpose of upskilling workers, or if it represents an inappropriate use of taxpayer money. The government has defended the fund overall as a critical tool for addressing labour shortages, but this particular case has drawn intense scrutiny regarding beneficiary selection and due diligence.
Political Fallout and Calls for Transparency
The revelation has ignited a political firestorm at Queen's Park, with the opposition calling for a full accounting of the grant approval process. Stiles and the NDP are demanding the government disclose the criteria used to select this company and provide evidence that the grant will deliver measurable public benefit. The incident is likely to fuel ongoing debates about government transparency, procurement ethics, and the perception of insider access in provincial spending decisions. As of early December 2025, the Ford government has yet to provide a detailed public rebuttal to the specific allegations raised by the Opposition Leader.
