Ontario’s Audit Shock Sparks Police Referral
So, here’s what’s unfolding right now in Ontario politics — and it’s a story that has been gaining traction because it mixes government funding, audits, political connections, and now a police referral. The Ford government has quietly, but very decisively, sent the results of a forensic audit to the Ontario Provincial Police after serious concerns were raised about a company that received tens of millions of dollars in provincial funding. And the company at the centre of all this is called Get A-Head , owned by Keel Digital Solutions .
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The heart of the issue is simple: Get A-Head has been funded heavily by the province, including money from the Skills Development Fund — a fund that is already under scrutiny for how grants were awarded. Over the past few years, the company was paid roughly $40 million from various ministries for its “AI-driven” mental-health counselling platform, which has been used by both students and police officers.
What triggered the police referral was a routine audit in 2023 that turned up “irregularities.” That initial audit led to a deeper, comprehensive forensic investigation. When the final results came in last week, the government said it was recommended that the findings be sent to the OPP — and that referral was made within 24 hours. The Premier’s office also confirmed that all payments linked to this provider are now under review, meaning more action could still be taken.
But the company insists it has done nothing wrong. Executives from Keel Digital Solutions say they cooperated fully, provided every document requested, and were even told during the process that no red flags had been found. They say the audit team misunderstood corporate structures and misapplied tax rules — and they’ve expressed frustration that the government communicated with the media before informing them of any findings. Still, they say they’ll fully cooperate if police move ahead.
This entire situation is happening alongside a broader political storm. Labour Minister David Piccini, whose ministry oversees the Skills Development Fund, has been facing criticism ever since Ontario’s Auditor-General reported that the grant selection process was “not fair, transparent or accountable.” It was revealed that some lower-ranked applicants were approved after hiring lobbyists, and that several groups with political ties to the governing party received funding. Those connections have intensified scrutiny, especially after it became public that a lobbyist for Get A-Head invited Piccini to his wedding and that the minister attended a Maple Leafs game with a director of the company before taking over the labour portfolio.
Opposition leaders have seized on the moment. NDP Leader Marit Stiles is calling for Piccini to be fired immediately, referring to him as the “Minister of Favours,” while Liberal MPP John Fraser has also renewed calls for his removal.
For now, the OPP has not confirmed whether an official investigation will begin. But with the audit now in their hands — and political pressure continuing to build — this story is far from over.
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