Michael Gallardo

Ontario's Auditor General found that $750 million in Skills Development Fund grants were awarded in a process that was "not fair, transparent or accountable." Ford's own campaign manager Kory Teneycke runs a lobbying firm whose clients received over $100 million — nearly 3x any other firm. The Premier's nephew's former chief of staff registered as a lobbyist immediately after leaving the Premier's office, and his clients received grants. Labour Minister David Piccini's office overrode civil servants' recommendations in over half of cases reviewed.

CEO of Merit Openshop, which received Skills Development Fund grants in rounds one through five, including roughly $5 million combined from rounds four and five. Per The Trillium's analysis, Gallardo gave over $15,000 to PC Party causes from 2015 to 2024, including over $6,000 supporting Monte McNaughton's riding association and almost $1,000 to David Piccini's. McNaughton appointed him to a provincial agency board, and Piccini reappointed him. No wrongdoing is alleged against Merit Openshop or Gallardo.

CEO of Merit Openshop (per The Trillium).