[Monarch Butterfly]

The star of 'Ontario Made'​

Commercial baker FGF Brands received $1.2 million in the fourth round of funding for a staff-training program that “aims to train manufacturing, supervisory, and corporate staff in English, leadership, health and safety, conflict resolution, communication, and equipment operation to ensure organizational leaders are competent in their roles and responsibilities,” according to a Labour Ministry document.

According to Ministry of Labour statistics, 705 people were trained through the program, all of whom got jobs afterwards. Of the 705, 377 “self-identified as a member of an underrepresented group,” such as “women, youth, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, justice-involved individuals, (and) Indigenous peoples.”

The company, which produces goods for well-known brands like ACE Bakery and Stonefire, also starred in a video series that the premier made to highlight Ontario businesses. He toured the industrial bakery's facility and touted its technologically advanced processes, dubbing FGF "the NASA of food production."

The company did not respond to questions about the funding it has received, nor about the political donation records that match the names of the founding Ajmera family, totalling more than $66,000.

Value for money​

The NDP and Liberal critics said they don't think these grants were a good use of taxpayers' money.

"There are a lot of people out there struggling with unemployment numbers that are going up, people having a hard time making ends meet, and in that environment, to have a government that's funnelling millions of dollars of taxpayers' money into businesses that appear to be connected to their friends is troubling to see," Burch said.

He would support job training funding that's spent in a transparent and accountable manner — which is why he welcomes a value-for-money audit of the fund by the province's auditor general that is underway.

Fraser said his concern is that the fund is only benefiting a select few.

"Other folks are having a hard time putting food on the table and paying the rent," he said. "It isn't helping the people of Ontario, it's helping these businesses, benefiting a small number of businesses, with no real focus."

Fraser said he'd prefer to see the province increase funding to public colleges, which are cancelling programs and laying off workers as they adapt to new rules around international students. The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), which represents striking college support staff, has also criticized the Skills Development Fund on this basis.

"We have a college system in Ontario that is more than capable of delivering this, and the government is intentionally letting it wither while taking care of their friends," said Fraser. "It's maddening."

When asked about these companies’ connections with the PCs and use of taxpayer money to support their training initiatives, a spokesperson for Labour Minister David Piccini defended the Skills Development Fund.

“Our government was elected to protect workers, businesses, and families —- and that means taking bold action to give more young people, job seekers, and mid-career workers the tools they need to succeed in the skilled trades, manufacturing, construction, health care, and beyond,” said Michel Figueredo, the minister’s communications director.

“The SDF program is open to everyone and expands opportunities that lead to better jobs with bigger paycheques,” he continued. “It delivers rapid, practical training that meets people where they are — whether it’s a parent who can’t take four years off for a degree but can spend 12 weeks gaining skills to earn $4 more an hour, or workers in hospitality, health care, and construction who want to upskill and move ahead.”

“To date, the SDF has supported 553 unique organizations, aiming to train over 52,000 health-care workers, 154,000 construction workers, and 124,000 manufacturing workers — with the goal of training over one million workers.”


—With files from Charlie Pinkerton and Jack Hauen

 

[Jonny5]

https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/politics/breaking-sault-mpp-chris-scott-out-of-progressive-Conservative-caucus-11244754.

Interesting the CBC reports he was actually arrested by Toronto Police, though it's unclear why or how they were involved, but I'm guessing it happened at his Toronto residence to be an MPP.

 

[UtakataNoAnnex]

...I guess it's refreshing that they're are arresting elected officials here for real reasons as opposed for questioning ICE/HLS personnel?

 

[Jonny5]

The Star reports Marit Stiles has made a major shakeup to her staff.

Two days after a politically deleterious 68 per cent approval from party faithful, Ontario New Democrat Leader Marit Stiles parted ways with her top two staffers in what some say could be the start of an office purge.

The departure of Stiles’ chief of staff Greg Denton and principal secretary, Stephanie Nakitsas, both of whom have extensive political experience, was announced Monday afternoon. Jennifer Hassum, executive director of the Broadbent Institute and long-time party strategist, steps into the breach.

After a bruising leadership review, Marit Stiles dumps top staffers

The departure of Stiles' chief of staff Greg Denton and principal secretary Stephanie Nakitsas was announced Monday afternoon.

www.thestar.com

 

[Richard White]

The Star reports Marit Stiles has made a major shakeup to her staff.

After a bruising leadership review, Marit Stiles dumps top staffers

The departure of Stiles' chief of staff Greg Denton and principal secretary Stephanie Nakitsas was announced Monday afternoon.

www.thestar.com

Just shuffling the deck chairs

 

[lenaitch]

Interesting the CBC reports he was actually arrested by Toronto Police, though it's unclear why or how they were involved, but I'm guessing it happened at his Toronto residence to be an MPP.

Everything I am reading says the investigation was carried out by SSM police and he appeared in SSM court so I'm guessing he was arrested in Toronto by TPS on the request of SSM police.