B.C. asks for investigation into CleanBC grant administered by MNP

The B.C. government has asked its auditor general to launch an investigation into a CleanBC grant administered by accounting firm MNP, after a small business made allegations there was a conflict of interest.

The Merritt-based company is claiming MNP both administered the grant and offered private consulting services to help businesses with their applications.

Edison Motors claims the MNP representative who tried to sell the accounting company’s services in grant-writing — for a 20 per cent fee — was the same representative who informed the small business that its application was unsuccessful.

Although the NDP shut down a joint opposition motion on Friday to investigate the claims, Premier David Eby said Monday the auditor general will now look into the matter.

“It’s critically important to me and I know to all applicants and all British Columbians that when people apply for government funding, that they get a fair shot and that the proposals that are chosen, are chosen because they’re the best proposals,” he told reporters at an unrelated news conference. ‘

Eby says the auditor general will “make sure that, not just in this particular program, but generally, that we’re putting in place all the safeguards to ensure we’re hitting that goal of fairness for all applicants.”

Opposition pushes for investigation

However, BC United MLA Peter Milobar told Now You Know with Rob Snow he’s not convinced the official investigation will work quickly or effectively.

“When you look at the timeline, obviously, a proper investigation is going to take some time and it just feels like this is the government’s way of further sweeping things under the rug,” he said.

“The allegation here is that the firm was on both sides of the coin — being paid by the government to administer, as well as being paid by the applicant to apply to that fund.”

Additionally, the BC Conservatives are calling for the RCMP to get involved.

‘False and misleading’: MNP refutes claims

Meanwhile, MNP says in a statement that the allegations made against the firm “are false and misleading,” adding team members are prohibited from providing grant writing services for programs the company administers.

“Many firms provide grant administration and grant writing services to assist clients. Professional services firms that provide these services, including MNP, have policies and procedures to address potential conflicts of interest,” the company said.

“MNP is committed to full transparency and accountability for every public program we administer, and we welcome a government-initiated program review.
With respect to grant application services, small and medium businesses that do not have the internal resources to complete these applications often engage a third party to assist them with their application. Professional services firms, including MNP, can assist clients in their pursuit of federal, provincial, and other grant programs when requested for programs where these firms are not the administrator.”

MNP says it has a “strong track record of delivering professional services to governments and businesses.”

CleanBC offers companies and people rebates and incentives to help the province reach its climate emissions goals. There are various programs, including those to help people go electric or switch to cleaner energy options in their homes.