Canadian Liberal MPs block recovery of $34 million from green fund

Liberal MPs on a House of Commons committee have blocked a motion to recover at least $34 million in taxpayer funds paid to ineligible recipients by Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). The agency, which was dissolved in 2024 following the resignation of its entire board, has faced intense criticism for mismanagement.

Audits revealed significant irregularities, including 186 instances of conflicts of interest. A report from the Privy Council indicated mismanagement costing taxpayers approximately $150 million, while Auditor General Karen Hogan found that SDTC awarded $59 million to ten ineligible projects and failed to follow conflict-of-interest policies in 90 cases involving nearly $76 million.

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly informed Parliament that recovering the $34 million paid to five ineligible projects since 2017 “does not lie in the public interest.” The government argued that the applicants acted “in good faith” and that further recovery attempts would be ineffective and unjust. Conservative MPs, including Michael Cooper and Jasraj Hallan, opposed the decision, but Liberal members voted to adjourn the meeting, preventing a vote on the motion.