NDP calls for audit into Ford government giving $1 billion to private administrators of public services

TORONTO — Ontario NDP Shadow Minister for Finance and Treasury Board Jessica Bell (University—Rosedale) has written to Auditor General Shelley Spence, requesting an audit into three private companies that have received more than $1 billion in taxpayer dollars from the Ford government to administer funding to frontline services.

"Doug Ford has a track record of using taxpayer dollars to help himself and his friends instead of the public," said Bell. "Why are the Conservatives again handing money to for-profit companies to do government work, when evidence shows this model leads to higher costs, more secrecy, and poorer service than the public option?

"Something doesn't smell right. These companies are making windfall profits while the services they oversee are struggling with budget cuts, layoffs, and growing waitlists to access services like autism therapy and job training.

"This has all the makings of the same preferential treatment that the Ford government is famous for. We should be on high alert for any sign that the Conservatives are wasting, mismanaging or misusing government money. Ontarians deserve to know that every cent is going to where it can best help people in our province."