Concerns raised about more MNP contracts

It is one of the government’s most recognizable programs by BC can be seen from grocery store shelves to shopping bags. It also provides grant money directly to businesses. You know it’s our money, right? And so British Columbians are going to want to know that the grant programs are going to the organizations that deserve them. Accounting firm MNP administered the By BC grant program while at the same time providing consultation services for the top three recipients. Documents obtained through FOI show the wine growers ABC bringing in $75,000. The VC Chicken Marketing Board getting nearly $66,000 and BC Food and Beverage getting a little more than $45,000. What type of safeguards does the government put in place with these contracts and what type of oversight are they actually providing? The Auditor General recently brought in to review another government program, MNP, being accused of both providing grant writing services and administering a clean BC program. MMPS policies and procedures prohibit employees from providing grant writing services. For any program we administer, a statement reads. Our program administration work on behalf of BY BC is no different. But the perception is a challenge for MNP Clear during this recent podcast interview. So our Consulting Group works with with with a lot of these grants. You know, some of them we can’t work directly that you have the producers have to apply for them. But we can guide him and and let him know what it’s all about. And then there’s others that we can get involved and help them apply for government supports the auditor general’s review. And one expert says this is a perfect example for why all administration of grant programs should be brought in house. But to have that kind of program delivery capacity, I think on its own is likely to be, you know, certainly presents less of these potential conflicts of interest. That perception critics point to, especially considering in the case of by BC, these organizations have roughly been receiving the same amount of money before and after MNP got involved with admin Richardson from Global News Vic.