Canada's House of Commons ethics committee is investigating allegations of and mismanagement, miscoduct, and cover-ups in the federal government's main green tech funding agency, whose CEO and board president have already resigned.
Whistleblower accuses Liberals of 'egregious cover-up' over controversy at green tech fund | National Post | Catherine Lévesque:
December 12, 2023 - "In bombshell testimony at a House of Commons committee, a whistleblower accused the federal government of an 'egregious cover-up' over allegations of mismanagement and misconduct conducted by the board of Canada’s main funding agency for green tech. The whistleblower, a former employee who worked at Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) from 2020 to 2022, showed his face during his testimony at the committee on industry Monday night, but on the condition that his name would not be used....
"During his time at SDTC, the whistleblower conducted financial due diligence and compliance of projects. He said he is the only one who could openly speak about the problems at the agency, since he had not signed a non-disclosure agreement, unlike many of his former colleagues. He alleged that $150 million of taxpayer money was granted improperly, including to companies directly connected to SDTC’s own board members....
"Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne had previously said that his department was made aware of allegations concerning SDTC earlier this year, and had asked an independent third party, the accounting firm Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, to conduct a 'fact-finding exercise.' Champagne said ... The findings, as reported by the Globe and Mail, showed evidence of inappropriate funding, conflict-of-interest breaches, high turnover rates and stress-related leaves of absence. As a result, Champagne demanded that SDTC take corrective measures, including creating an action plan that he expects will be implemented by the end of this year and suspending government funding for all new projects until the corrective measures are in place....
"This testimony is the latest in a series of developments concerning the fate of SDTC, which has put more than $1.5 billion into clean technology companies since 2001. The Conservatives have already said they would shut down the fund if they form government. The president of the board of directors, Annette Verschuren, recently resigned after being the subject of an investigation by the ethics commissioner. She admitted to having approved more than $200,000 in subsidies to the company NRStor, which she runs [see video]. The president and CEO of SDTC, Leah Lawrence, also resigned. In a letter to the board of directors, she cited a 'sustained and malicious campaign to undermine' her leadership."
Breaking News!!! MP Cooper Digs Into Incredible Allegations In New Govt Scandal | IUI Cafe | November 8, 2023:
Trudeau appointee fled ethics investigation hearing | Western Standard | Christopher Oldcorn"
December 13, 2023 - "A cabinet appointee under an ethics investigation for alleged insider dealings abruptly left a Commons Industry committee hearing on Tuesday evening while being questioned. According to Blacklock’s Reporter, whistleblowers accused Annette Verschuren, a Liberal Party donor, of directing federal employees to search for grants on behalf of her non-profit Verschuren Centre.... On November 20, Verschuren resigned as chair of the federal foundation Sustainable Development Technology Canada [SDTC] ... after she admitted to having voted to allocate $217,000 to her money-losing company.... Verschuren is being investigated by the Ethics Commissioner for a suspected breach of the Conflict of Interest Act.
"During her testimony via videoconference, Verschuren informed the committee that she had expertise in business matters. 'I understand business,' she said. 'I have been on boards for almost 30 years..... 'I am chair of a governance committee of a major company in Canada. I understand —.” Following this exchange, Verschuren suddenly stood up, turned off her headphones, and disconnected from the videoconference. The committee adjourned after the incident.
"This followed a whistleblower's testimony claiming that the Verschuren Centre relied on taxpayer subsidies. Witness Number One, a former financial compliance officer at [SDTC] , alleged that in 2021 as chair Verschuren sought millions in grants for her Verschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy, located on the campus of Cape Breton University, where Verschuren also serves as the chancellor.... A foundation review committee 'rejected it based on the conflict of interest,' said Witness Number One. However, foundation employees were ordered to “help the Verschuren Centre and move that application into other sources of funding'....
"Records show the Verschuren Centre in 2022 received $3 million from the federal Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. It also received $1.4 million from the department of fisheries in 2022, another $70,000 from the National Research Council this past April 1, an additional $1 million from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency on September 5 and $1.18 million from the federally subsidized Canadian Food Innovation Network on September 19."
Read more: https://www.westernstandard.news/news/trudeau-appointee-fled-ethics-investigation-hearing/50997
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