OPP will investigate company that received money from controversial provincial training fund

Ontario Provincial Police say they will investigate a company that received money from a controversial provincial training fund.

"The OPP Anti-Rackets Branch has completed its review and will be proceeding with an investigation," the OPP said in an email on Monday.

In November, the Doug Ford government asked the OPP to investigate the company after a routine audit two years prior identified "irregularities," the premier's office said at the time.

A routine audit led to a forensic audit and the result of that forensic audit led to a review of this company.

Keel Digital Solutions, a software company that provides a platform for mental health care, confirmed in November that it was the subject of the province's forensic audit and that it received money from the fund.

Ontario Labour Minister David Piccini administers the $2.5 billion fund, which has been mired in controversy for weeks.

In October, Ontario's auditor general said in a report that the selection process for grants from the fund was "not fair, transparent or accountable." The fund, which aims to spur economic growth, provides funding to organizations for projects that address challenges to hiring, training, or retaining workers.

According to the premier's office, the forensic audit recommended that the matter be referred to the OPP.

"Within 24 hours of receiving this report, the referral was made," the premier's office had said in November.

"All payments associated with this provider are currently under review, and further actions will be taken based on that outcome."

Keel Digital Solutions defended its record after the premier's office said the matter was referred to the OPP, saying it "cooperated fully and transparently" with the province's forensic audit.

"We have serious concerns about the process, which showed persistent misunderstandings of corporate vs. not-for-profit structures and misinterpretation of tax rules (e.g., input tax credits and relevant federal programs)," Ahad Bandealy, spokesperson for Keel Digital Solutions, said at the time.

"Throughout the review, we were repeatedly told no irregularities or 'red flags' had been identified that would preclude continuing the government’s partnership with Keel."