Auditor General Jim McCarter, stated "We found no evidence that any organization received a grant because it had political ties. However, in some cases those ties did exist, and, when this is combined with a process lacking openness and most of the normal accountability controls, it can create the perception of favouritism if the organization ends up obtaining a grant,"

The auditor also confirmed that the Liberals' year-end slush fund had little or no controls or process to ensure that taxpayers dollars were being properly spent, or even to determine whether funds were actually needed by the recipient groups.

“After 100 days and more than 270 questions in the legislature we finally start to understand Mr. McGuinty’s denial, ducking and stonewalling,” said Savard. “The truth is, if you knew Dalton McGuinty, the Minister or a senior lieutenant, you would be given access to a grant, with limited or perhaps no process required. And if you asked for a bucket of money - you might even get the whole wheelbarrow.”

In a process he described as “among the worst that [I’ve] seen, in terms of almost no controls, process, or accountability...”, the Provincial Auditor found evidence that in many cases money was simply doled out at the discretion of the office of Minister Mike Colle.

“The families of children with autism here in Stormont Dundas and South Glengarry aren’t pleased to find that a cricket club ends up with a half a million dollar GIC they didn’t even ask for. Families who struggle each and every day aren’t too forgiving of this lack of accountability and transparency with taxpayer dollars,” said Savard. “Making a scapegoat of Mike Colle fixed nothing. "

“The Premier himself has said ‘The best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour.” added Savard.