Jack Hauen
LightNews LightNews
banner
jackhauen.bsky.social
Jack Hauen
@jackhauen.bsky.social
4.9K followers 270 following 59 posts
Queen’s Park reporter for The Trillium.
Sleek, vigilant puma.
Posts Replies Media Videos
jackhauen.bsky.social
From last week: A non-profit with ties to Drake got $3.3 million from Ontario’s Skills Development Fund — but has since shut down, and the province claims the group owes it money.

It matches an example from the AG report of a low-ranked group picked by the MO.

www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...
Ford government seeking money back from defunct Skills Development Fund recipient with ties to Drake
The not-for-profit got more than $3 million in taxpayer funds before it shut down
www.thetrillium.ca
October 23, 2025 at 2:13 PM
jackhauen.bsky.social
From Monday: 63% of this round’s $345M Skills Development Fund went to groups led by PC donors.

The top recipient held a $120k fundraiser for Labour Minister David Piccini months before it got $14M.

www.thetrillium.ca/news/the-tri...
Groups led by PC donors received majority of recent Ontario training funds
One group received $14 million, the largest grant of the Skills Development Fund’s fifth round, after hosting a $120,000 fundraiser for the labour minister’s riding association
www.thetrillium.ca
October 23, 2025 at 2:13 PM
jackhauen.bsky.social
From Tuesday: Labour minister’s fundraiser cancelled

David Piccini, who’s been under fire over how the Skills Development Fund has benefited PC donors and friends, said it was called off due to a ‘personal commitment’

www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...
Labour minister’s fundraiser cancelled amid Skills Development Fund controversy
Minister David Piccini, who’s been under fire over how the fund has benefited PC donors and others with ties to the party, said it was called off due to a ‘personal commitment’
www.thetrillium.ca
October 23, 2025 at 2:13 PM
jackhauen.bsky.social
From yesterday: The church where a Ford government cabinet minister was married got $2.8M from the Skills Development Fund and Labour Ministry.

It’s one of three places of worship to get SDF grants, all with apparent PC connections.

www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...
Church where PC cabinet minister was married got $2.8M from Skills Development Fund, ministry
Gurdwara that posted Ford endorsement also received SDF grant
www.thetrillium.ca
October 23, 2025 at 2:13 PM
jackhauen.bsky.social
From today: The Ford government gave millions of tax dollars through the Skills Development Fund to a company with a PC Party vice-president, and another group run by an unsuccessful PC candidate.

#onpoli

www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...
Ford government gave training funds to groups involving PC party VP, candidate
Labour Minister David Piccini and his predecessor altogether granted the company and developers’ association upwards of $5.75 million
www.thetrillium.ca
October 23, 2025 at 2:13 PM
jackhauen.bsky.social
I have this thought every time I listen to the radio in the States. Especially talk radio. Every ad is either "Do you feel terrible? Take this frightening drug," "Do you have no money? We can nonspecifically help," or "Are you a patriot? Invest in this obvious scam"
October 9, 2025 at 12:47 AM
jackhauen.bsky.social
The federal government says it will be getting in touch with the province about the fund, and doesn’t sound happy.

#onpoli

www.thetrillium.ca/insider-news...
Feds to review effectiveness and transparency of Ontario’s Skills Development Fund after scathing auditor general report
The grant program slammed by the province’s auditor general as ‘not fair, transparent or accountable’ was partially funded by the federal government
www.thetrillium.ca
October 6, 2025 at 9:15 PM
jackhauen.bsky.social
Two former chiefs of staff to Michael Ford, the premier’s nephew, represented clients that received millions of dollars from the Skills Development Fund.

Both are relatively new to the lobbying scene.

#onpoli

www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...
Clients of lobby firms connected to premier, his nephew given tens of millions in training funds
Groups represented by a lobbying firm owned by the premier’s campaign manager got more than $100 million in grant money, a Trillium analysis has found
www.thetrillium.ca
October 6, 2025 at 9:14 PM
jackhauen.bsky.social
Clients of one firm owned by Kory Teneycke, the premier’s campaign manager, have received more than $100 million from the Skills Development Fund.

#onpoli

www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...
Clients of lobby firms connected to premier, his nephew given tens of millions in training funds
Groups represented by a lobbying firm owned by the premier’s campaign manager got more than $100 million in grant money, a Trillium analysis has found
www.thetrillium.ca
October 6, 2025 at 9:13 PM
jackhauen.bsky.social
The decision likely won’t “open the floodgates” to similar challenges, he wrote.

"Most road and traffic decisions are well-grounded in data and safety concerns, as one would expect, and are unlikely to be challenged as arbitrary."

#onpoli #topoli

www.thetrillium.ca/news/municip...
Court strikes down planned Toronto bike lane removals
Tearing out Bloor, Yonge, University lanes violates right to life, security: judge
www.thetrillium.ca
July 30, 2025 at 5:57 PM
jackhauen.bsky.social
No, you don't have a constitutional right to bike lanes now.

Governments can make decisions that harm, but when they do so “arbitrarily,” the Charter comes into play, the judge wrote.

#onpoli #topoli

www.thetrillium.ca/news/municip...
Court strikes down planned Toronto bike lane removals
Tearing out Bloor, Yonge, University lanes violates right to life, security: judge
www.thetrillium.ca
July 30, 2025 at 5:57 PM