![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/queens-park-1024x576.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\nThe Government of Ontario will announce Wednesday a $10.9 million investment into numerous training projects aimed at helping workers prepare for careers in the healthcare system.<\/p>\n
The Province says the 10 projects will provide specialized training, mentorship, work placements and other career supports for nurses, personal support workers, medical laboratory technologists and those in other critical healthcare roles, with a goal of helping nearly 2,000 workers.<\/p>\n
The funding will come from the sixth round of the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream and will be distributed to the following recipients:<\/p>\n
Scarborough Health Network \u2013 $2,225,017 to help 110 people in the Scarborough area prepare for careers as personal support workers and nurses<\/p>\n
Brain Changes Initiative \u2013 $1,850,000 to help 200 job seekers in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area prepare for entry-level health-care careers<\/p>\n
Windmill Microlending \u2013 $1,805,000 to help 1,100 skilled newcomers and refugees in the Greater Toronto Area restart their careers and find work in the healthcare and other high-demand sectors by providing affordable loans and other supports<\/p>\n
The Medical Laboratory Professionals Association of Ontario \u2013 $1,491,025 to support 41 Medical Laboratory Technologist students in Ottawa, Stratford, North Bay, Kenora and other northern sites with enhanced clinical training opportunities<\/p>\n
WoundPedia \u2013 $981,500 to train 100 nurse practitioners across Ontario in evidence-informed skin and wound care<\/p>\n
The Registered Nurses\u2019 Association of Ontario \u2013 $816,875 to help 100 internationally educated nurses find employment in the province through Ontario-specific healthcare training, paid placements, coaching and employer supports<\/p>\n
Accessible Community Counselling and Employment Services (ACCES) \u2013 $663,151 to help 150 internationally educated healthcare professionals integrate into healthcare careers in Northern Ontario<\/p>\n
Durham Community Health Centre \u2013 $533,500 to train 150 healthcare workers in the Durham region to develop skills that will help staff work together more effectively and improve care for patients<\/p>\n
Prime+Care Health Centre \u2013 $498,440 to train 30 participants from underserved communities in Ontario for careers as Personal Support Workers (PSWs)<\/p>\n
The Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council \u2013 $72,000 to develop a workforce report identifying in-demand skills, workforce needs and training gaps in Ontario\u2019s medical isotope sector to help guide future workforce investments and support industry growth<\/p>\n
\u201cProtecting Ontario\u2019s healthcare system starts with ensuring we have the skilled workforce needed to deliver care when people need it most,\u201d said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development in a press release. <\/p>\n
\u201cThrough the Skills Development Fund, our government is creating more pathways into rewarding health-care careers while helping employers recruit the skilled professionals they need. Together, we\u2019re increasing access to care, strengthening our workforce and building a healthier, more resilient Ontario for generations to
come.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 2025, the Skills Development Fund was at the centre of a controversy based on Auditor General Shelley Spence\u2019s report that found Piccini\u2019s office was heavily involved in selecting projects that get funded.<\/p>\n
It also found that the government \u201cchose to fund poor, low and medium-ranked applications 54 per cent of the time instead of high-ranked applications\u201d and that \u201cmore than half of applicants had hired registered lobbyists to lobby the Ministry and\/or Minister before they were selected and funded.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs well, 39 high-ranked applications that were selected by the Minister\u2019s Office, and received approximately $58 million in funding, had also hired lobbyists,\u201d the report found.<\/p>\n
It also said the Minister\u2019s Office did not share a documented reason for why it selected 388 applications, which collectively received $479 million in funding.<\/p>\n
Thereafter, Ontario\u2019s Integrity Commissioner Cathryn Motherwell launched an investigation into Piccini related to the selection of applicants to the Skills Development Fund Training Stream. The commissioner\u2019s office tells CityNews that investigation is currently ongoing.<\/p>\n
The probe was prompted by separate requests submitted by NDP Leader Marit Stiles and Liberal MPP Stephanie Smyth that claimed Piccini may have contravened sections of the Members\u2019 Integrity Act that deal with conflict of interest, insider information, influence, gifts, and procedures on conflict of interest as it relates to the program.<\/p>\n
At a press conference in Scarborough on Wednesday, Piccini was asked if he would step down should the integrity commissioner find he broke the Act.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to presuppose any outcomes there,\u201d Piccini responded. \u201cWe are assisting the integrity commissioner with the important work she does and I\u2019ll continue working hard for Ontario residents through programs like this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Piccini added that through the SDF, the Province has helped scores of young professionals and newcomers by breaking down barriers that were making it difficult for them to work in their fields.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve also made sure that we work with independent offices like the Auditor General. I oversaw now my second round through six rounds of the Skills Development Fund and have been working to improve that through every round and we\u2019ll keep doing that for the residents of Ontario,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Opposition leaders have called for Piccini to step down or for Premier Doug Ford to fire him, but Ford has defended the minister and the Skills Development Fund\u2019s operations.<\/p>\n
While Spence did not find any laws were broken in her 2025 report, the Province says the projects selected for this round of funding have been evaluated and selected based on recommendations in her review. <\/p>\n
The projects will also be under more scrutiny, with tracking of long-term employment outcomes at three, six and 12 months. Applicants will also be required to disclose any use of registered lobbyists and consultants, with the information being verified against Ontario\u2019s Lobbyists Registry.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbove and beyond the Auditor General\u2019s recommendations, the ministry also implemented new tools for risk management and due diligence, including analyzing individuals associated with applications, in addition to the organization,\u201d the Province said in a news release.<\/p>\n
With files from Richard Southern, John Marchesan and The Canadian Press<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\tExterior view of Queens Park legislative building in Toronto. CITYNEWS <\/p>\n
\t\tKeep it Factual<\/p>\n
Add CityNews Toronto as a trusted source on Google to see more local stories from us.<\/p>\n
![\"Add](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/google-trusted-badge.png\"){kind=icon}