The Doug Ford government has forwarded the findings of a forensic audit to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) after investigators examined how a private company received nearly $40 million in provincial funding, including millions from the often-criticized Skills Development Fund (SDF).
Officials say they are now reviewing every provincial payment linked to the firm and may take further action depending on what the review uncovers.
Company at the Center of the Scrutiny
The business, Get A-Head, builds an AI-powered virtual mental-health counselling platform that serves both students and law-enforcement personnel. In 2022, it was purchased by Keel Digital Solutions.
Keel said through a statement that it had not been notified of the OPP referral and was unaware of any “red flags” discovered during the audit.
Over the past five years, the company has received funding from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities as well as the Ministry of Health.
Political Connections Intensify the Spotlight
The company has been linked to Labour Minister David Piccini, whose oversight of the $2.5-billion Skills Development Fund has already generated political fallout.
A lobbyist representing Get A-Head and Keel, Michael Rudderham, invited Piccini to his Paris wedding and has donated heavily to the Progressive Conservative Party. In 2023, Piccini also attended a Toronto Maple Leafs game with Keel board member Peter Zakarow, who said he never discussed company matters with the minister. Piccini claims he paid his own expenses for both outings.
The minister told a radio program that his office approved funding for the project even though it had received a lower ranking from civil servants evaluating applications.
Why the Audit Was Launched
According to Premier’s Office spokeswoman Hannah Jensen, a routine audit in 2023 raised concerns about an outside service provider and detected irregularities, triggering a more intensive forensic audit.
The second audit recommended referring the matter to the OPP, and Jensen said the government passed on the results within 24 hours of receiving them last week. The OPP has not yet commented.
Company Pushes Back Against Audit Findings
Keel Digital Solutions’ chief digital officer, Ahad Bandealy, said the company fully cooperated but had “serious concerns” about the audit process. He alleged that auditors misunderstood corporate and non-profit structures and misinterpreted tax rules.
Bandealy maintains that Keel was consistently told no issues had been identified that would stop the province from continuing its partnership. He also criticized the government for releasing audit information to the media before notifying the company.
He noted that Get A-Head first secured a contract for its student mental-health platform through an open, competitive procurement in 2019-20, and that it has been renewed multiple times since.
Breakdown of Funding
Government records show:
| Funding Source | Amount | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Ministry of Colleges & Universities | $32.74 million | 2020–2025 |
| Ministry of Health | $1.85 million | 2020–2025 |
| Skills Development Fund | $7.5 million | From 2024 onward |
The first audit in 2023 was connected to earlier funding—not SDF grants, which Get A-Head only began applying for in August 2023.
Despite the forensic audit being underway, the government continued approving payments to the company. The Premier’s Office declined to explain why.
Mounting Political Pressure
The issue intensified after the referral was first reported by The Trillium, which previously revealed the company’s political connections.
The controversy comes weeks after Auditor-General Shelley Spence concluded that $1.3 billion in SDF grants were awarded through a process that was “not fair, transparent or accountable.”
Her report found that political staff ignored higher-scored applications while directing large sums to lower-ranked groups, including organizations with lobbyist ties or political donations.
Opposition Demands
NDP Leader Marit Stiles renewed calls for the Labour Minister’s removal, calling him the “Minister of Favours.” She urged the government to transfer oversight of the fund to neutral civil servants.
Liberal MPP John Fraser echoed the demand, questioning why Piccini remains in his role.
Critics also highlight that groups receiving SDF money are hiring lobbyists at significantly higher rates—up 60% since the fund launched in 2021, according to an analysis by The Globe and Mail.
