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Lobbying Surge Among Ontario Training Fund Recipients Raises Questions

David Piccini, Ontario Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development speaks as Ontario Premier Doug Ford listens during a funding announcement earlier this year. The government’s Skills Development Fund was criticized by the auditor general in a report Wednesday.  Ontario’s Skills Development Fund (SDF) is under scrutiny as more grant recipients are turning to lobbyists to secure funding. Data shows that organizations receiving millions in taxpayer-funded grants have increasingly hired lobbying firms to advocate on their behalf. In the program’s most recent round, a significant portion of the funding went to groups with political connections, raising concerns about fairness and transparency. Some organizations received large sums despite lower application scores, while others with stronger proposals were overlooked. Critics argue that this trend suggests lobbying influence may be overshadowing merit-based decisions. Questions have also been raised about wheth...
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Ontario Begins Issuing $200 Taxpayer Rebates

The Ontario government has started mailing out $200 rebate cheques to eligible taxpayers. This initiative aims to provide relief from the high cost of living, including the federal carbon tax and high interest rates. 

Finance Miister Peter Bethlenfalvy stated, "With Ontario families struggling due to the federal carbon tax, high interest rates, and global economic uncertainty, our government is stepping up as part of our ongoing work to keep costs down and help families make ends meet."

To qualify for the rebate, residents must have been 18 years or older and a resident in Ontario on December 31, 2023, not be bankrupt or incarcerated in 2024, and have filed a 2023 Income Tax and Benefits Return by December 31, 2024. Families receiving the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) will also get an additional $200 for each eligible child under 18.

The cheques are expected to reach families over the coming weeks, providing much-needed financial support during these challenging times.



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