A status report on how multicultural groups are spending $32 million in year-end government grants is due by the end of August, but Ontario's new minister of citizenship and immigration said Tuesday he'll address the most controversial grants sooner.

Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Gerry Phillips, pictured in 2003, says he'll address the most controversial grants before the final report is released at the end of the month.
(Tobin Grimshaw/Canadian Press)

While no date has been set, Gerry Phillips said he plans to meet with officials from the Ontario Cricket Association, which asked for $150,000 and received $1 million — half of which is now in a guaranteed investment certificate.

While both the Conservatives and the New Democrats have called on Phillips to ask for the money back, he suggested the task requires some diplomacy.

"I realize the association has probably got plans for it and I'd like to know what their plans are, and I'd like to have a discussion with them about whether in fact the million dollars is the appropriate amount or not," Phillips said.

"I have a lot of respect for these organizations that are doing good work. We haven't predetermined the decision … but I have to also make sure we're representing the interests of all Ontarians."

The cricket group was among 111 organizations to receive year-end grants as part of a process the province's auditor found was lacking in openness, transparency and accountability.

Phillips, who replaced Mike Colle after he was forced to resign amid the controversy, said the government must now consider, "in hindsight," whether it made the "right decision."

He suggested the grants were initially earmarked for capital projects, but noted there was some discussion with cricket officials regarding the long-term development of the sport "beyond just the capital."

Each grant will be reviewed on a "case-by-case" basis, Phillips added, noting he's confident the bulk of them are being put to good use.

The progress report on how the money is being spent — which was originally due several days after the Oct. 10 election — is expected to present a clearer picture.

Projects that don't appear to be moving forward at a reasonable pace could face more scrutiny, Phillips suggested, noting a group's decision to keep or return the grant won't have a bearing on future government funding.

"I look forward to working co-operatively with these community groups," he said. "This is about just making sure the public has confidence in the process."

Cricket association president Mike Kendall said he's not prepared to simply turn over the $500,000 surplus, which is to be used for programming. He has said the group has numerous policies in place to ensure its use of public funds is totally transparent.

But given the lack of transparency within the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration year-end grant process, opposition critics are urging the Liberals to call a full-scale audit into the $2.7-billion they've doled out in year-end funds.

'I think the taxpayers have the right to expect a lot better.'—John Tory 

It's a process Tory Leader John Tory described as, "No questions asked, no papers. Just shovel the taxpayers' money out the door."

Tory said Finance Minister Greg Sorbara  — who was supposed to review each grant — should also be held accountable.

"He's the chief custodian of the taxpayers' money in this province, and I think the taxpayers have the right to expect a lot better."
  
Regardless of whether the groups decide to return the cash, New Democrat Michael Prue said the Liberals should be prepared to reach into their own coffers to pay back the funds received by four ethnic groups deemed to have ties to the party.

The auditor said those ties appeared to have no bearing on the government's decision to issue the grants, but Prue said there were perceptions of favouritism, which should be enough to convince the Liberals to personally pay for their mistakes.

Phillips said the auditor clearly stated the grants were not influenced by politics and that he's prepared to trust that opinion.