All three of BC’s opposition parties are joining together to call for a probe into alleged kickbacks involving millions in government grants devoted to clean technology projects.Last week BC United, the Green Party and the Conservatives all voted for an independent inquiry into independent accounting firm MNP which was hired by the governing NDP to administer a pair of grant programs under the CleanBC Electric Advanced Research and Commercialization (ARC) program, as well as the CleanBC Go Electric Commercial Vehicle Pilots (CVP) program..It also acts as a ‘consultant-for-hire’ for potential applicants.The parties are accusing MNP of demanding so-called ‘success fees’ of up to 20% for successful applicants.At least one company, Merritt-based Edison Motors, has gone public with its concerns.Edison, a new startup that is building electric logging trucks, unsuccessfully applied for $3 million in grants under four separate programs including the ones administered by MNP..Company co-founder Chace Barber told Business Intelligence Vancouver magazine that it was approached by MNP to hire it if his company were to be more successful in winning government grants.According to BIV: “They made it kind of clear, if we want to get a government grant we have to go through them. Morally, this feels fucking wrong,” he said.Opposition MLAs strongly suggested Edison isn’t the only company to have had similar experiences.BC Conservative party leader John Rustad said he’s also “received evidence from numerous companies about this program.”.”Clearly, government should be very concerned about how taxpayers' money is being spent on this, particularly from the carbon tax.”BC Conservative Leader John Rustad .“Clearly, there is a serious problem with this program,” he said in the legislature. “It needs to be looked into. It should be taken seriously by this government. Yes, the auditor general has the ability to look into it themselves, but clearly, government should be very concerned about how taxpayers' money is being spent on this, particularly from the carbon tax.”In a statement, MNP denied any conflict of interest.The BC ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation also said there were no “technical” violations by MNP because the programs are federally funded by Ottawa, which technically administers the money. It said it investigated the allegations and found no evidence of wrongdoing. The NDP government is refusing to allow the investigation.“Government requires MNP to have safeguards in place to ensure there is no conflict of interest in managing this specific grant process,” the ministry said in a statement.“Following what happened with this company, MNP has told us that they have updated their processes to make sure businesses have clearer information.”.This is what the Western Standard is up againstThe Trudeau government is funding lies and propaganda by directly subsidizing the mainstream media. They do this to entrench the powerful Eastern, woke and corrupt interests that dominate the political, social and economic institutions in Canada. Federal authorities are constantly trying to censor us and stop us from publishing the stories that they don’t want you to read. Ottawa may weaponize our taxes and police against us, but we’ve got a powerful ally on our side.You. Free men, and free women. We need you to stand with us and become a member of the Western Standard. Here’s what you will get for your membership:Unlimited access to all articles from the Western Standard, Alberta Report, West Coast Standard, and Saskatchewan Standard, with no paywall. Our daily newsletter delivered to your inbox. .Access to exclusive Member-only WS events.Keep the West’s leading independent media voice strong and free.If you can, please support us with a monthly or annual membership. It takes just a moment to set up, and you will be making a big impact on keeping one the last independent media outlets in Canada free from Ottawa’s corrupting influence.
All three of BC’s opposition parties are joining together to call for a probe into alleged kickbacks involving millions in government grants devoted to clean technology projects.Last week BC United, the Green Party and the Conservatives all voted for an independent inquiry into independent accounting firm MNP which was hired by the governing NDP to administer a pair of grant programs under the CleanBC Electric Advanced Research and Commercialization (ARC) program, as well as the CleanBC Go Electric Commercial Vehicle Pilots (CVP) program..It also acts as a ‘consultant-for-hire’ for potential applicants.The parties are accusing MNP of demanding so-called ‘success fees’ of up to 20% for successful applicants.At least one company, Merritt-based Edison Motors, has gone public with its concerns.Edison, a new startup that is building electric logging trucks, unsuccessfully applied for $3 million in grants under four separate programs including the ones administered by MNP..Company co-founder Chace Barber told Business Intelligence Vancouver magazine that it was approached by MNP to hire it if his company were to be more successful in winning government grants.According to BIV: “They made it kind of clear, if we want to get a government grant we have to go through them. Morally, this feels fucking wrong,” he said.Opposition MLAs strongly suggested Edison isn’t the only company to have had similar experiences.BC Conservative party leader John Rustad said he’s also “received evidence from numerous companies about this program.”.”Clearly, government should be very concerned about how taxpayers' money is being spent on this, particularly from the carbon tax.”BC Conservative Leader John Rustad .“Clearly, there is a serious problem with this program,” he said in the legislature. “It needs to be looked into. It should be taken seriously by this government. Yes, the auditor general has the ability to look into it themselves, but clearly, government should be very concerned about how taxpayers' money is being spent on this, particularly from the carbon tax.”In a statement, MNP denied any conflict of interest.The BC ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation also said there were no “technical” violations by MNP because the programs are federally funded by Ottawa, which technically administers the money. It said it investigated the allegations and found no evidence of wrongdoing. The NDP government is refusing to allow the investigation.“Government requires MNP to have safeguards in place to ensure there is no conflict of interest in managing this specific grant process,” the ministry said in a statement.“Following what happened with this company, MNP has told us that they have updated their processes to make sure businesses have clearer information.”.This is what the Western Standard is up againstThe Trudeau government is funding lies and propaganda by directly subsidizing the mainstream media. They do this to entrench the powerful Eastern, woke and corrupt interests that dominate the political, social and economic institutions in Canada. Federal authorities are constantly trying to censor us and stop us from publishing the stories that they don’t want you to read. Ottawa may weaponize our taxes and police against us, but we’ve got a powerful ally on our side.You. Free men, and free women. We need you to stand with us and become a member of the Western Standard. Here’s what you will get for your membership:Unlimited access to all articles from the Western Standard, Alberta Report, West Coast Standard, and Saskatchewan Standard, with no paywall. Our daily newsletter delivered to your inbox. .Access to exclusive Member-only WS events.Keep the West’s leading independent media voice strong and free.If you can, please support us with a monthly or annual membership. It takes just a moment to set up, and you will be making a big impact on keeping one the last independent media outlets in Canada free from Ottawa’s corrupting influence.
