Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) is a federal foundation established to invest in green technologies. Former Industry Minister Navdeep Bains faced criticism for appointing a Liberal Party donor to the board despite warnings.
Ethics Commissioner Konrad von Finckenstein informed the Commons ethics committee on April 17 that an investigation into two board members of SDTC will be concluded before the first of August.
Conservative MP Larry Brock inquired about the presence of criminal elements in the investigation, to which Mr. von Finckenstein responded in the negative.
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The issues with the fund came to light in early 2023 following a whistleblower complaint. An investigation by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) revealed several concerns, including inconsistencies in the conflict of interest policy, non-compliance in a funding stream, unanimous board decisions, lack of tracking for COVID-19 payments, and questions about fund allocation.
Notably, Annette Verschuren, the former chair of SDTC’s board, resigned amid accusations of approving funds for her company, NRStor. She defended her actions, stating they were part of the government’s support for the clean tech sector.
Further testimonies revealed instances of conflicts of interest within the board, with individuals voting for grants benefiting their own interests. These revelations raised questions about the integrity and transparency of SDTC’s operations.
With multiple resignations and ongoing investigations, the future of SDTC and its governance remains uncertain.
Contributed by Noé Chartier
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