An in-house Department of Industry report claims scandal-ridden federal agency Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) did important work in meeting climate targets.The evaluation made only cursory reference to inside dealing that led to the collapse of SDTC in June, according to Blacklock’s Reporter. “The fund aligned with the federal government’s role in driving sustained clean technology growth,” said the report. It was “helping Canada achieve its environmental objectives and contributing to sustainable economic growth.”SDTC was disbanded on June 4,2024, the same day auditors documented 186 conflicts of interest and insider dealing in the awarding of a portion of $2.1 billion in subsidies to friends of directors. Auditors acknowledged their work “was paused in March 2023 once the Department of Industry was informed of allegations of mismanagement.”.No records of environmental benefits from $8B green slush fund.The newly released evaluation argued the agency was valuable.“Well-designed policies that reduce barriers to innovation and other targeted incentives can strengthen Canada’s economic competitiveness,” it said.“While Canada has established targets to reduce its emissions there is a strong need for government funding to support sustainable development technology in Canada to tap into the environmental and economic opportunities of clean tech innovation.”Conclusions were drawn from 30 interviews with managers, directors and private sector firms that successfully applied for subsidies.The report followed complaints from SDTC management that criticism of it as a “slush fund” was hurtful.“All Canadians are benefiting from this,” then-Vice President Sheryl Urie testified June 20 at the Commons Public Accounts Committee.“Yes, it has been seen as a great success.”.Trudeau Liberals refuse to disclose terms of $8B green slush fund as Guilbeault denies responsibility .Opposition MPs pointed to SDTC as evidence of a “culture of conflict” by political appointees to federal boards.“That’s a culture of conflict of interest,” then-Conservative MP Rick Perkins told the Commons Industry Committee September 16.“Expose them and let the public and parliamentarians decide what should happen.”Companies that received subsidies included Cycle Capital Management, a Montréal firm that won $4.4 million in funding. Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault, who was environment minister at the time, was among shareholders.Guilbeault reported receiving an undisclosed sum in Cycle Capital contracting fees while in Parliament. He was saved from questioning on September 3 when Liberal and Bloc Québécois MPs on the Commons Public Accounts Committee voted down a Conservative motion that he testify.“I am not sure why the members opposite feel that, oh, if there’s smoke, there’s fire, let’s go on this witch hunt expedition etcetera, let’s bring in everybody, let’s basically demolish public trust,” said Liberal MP Iqra Khalid..Federal ‘green slush fund’ collapse reveals $150 million mismanagement scandal.Parliament experienced a significant gridlock related to the SDTC controversy, beginning in late September 2024 and extending into early 2025.In June 2024, the House of Commons passed a motion requiring the government to submit all documents related to SDTC to the RCMP within 30 days. The government provided some documents but withheld others, citing concerns over privacy rights and the separation of powers between legislative and judicial branches.In September, then-House Speaker Greg Fergus ruled that the government had not fully complied with the House's order to produce the requested documents.Following the Speaker's ruling, the Conservative Party initiated a filibuster, effectively halting government business in the House of Commons, while the Liberals refused to hand over the complete set of documents.The issue was never resolved.
