No conflict in handling of B.C. zero-emission grants, says auditor general

Pickup says the results show no evidence MNP wrote grant applications for clients, influenced the evaluation process to benefit clients or used its administering of the program to "recruit" clients for the company's other services.

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Published Aug 28, 2024  •  1 minute read

Auditor General Michael Pickup presents his report about the province's toxic drug crisis and the implementation of harm reduction programs during an announcement in the press theatre at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on March 19. British Columbia's auditor general says his office has found no evidence of a conflict of interest in accounting firm MNP's administering of a provincial grant program stemming from an accusation earlier this year. Photo by CHAD HIPOLITO /THE CANADIAN PRESS

VICTORIA — British Columbia’s auditor general says his office has found no evidence of a conflict of interest in the handling of provincial grants for the zero-emission vehicle sector, after an accusation by a truck maker earlier this year.

Michael Pickup says in a statement the investigation looked into accounting firm MNP’s handling of Advanced Research and Commercialization grant applications, reviewing “a significant amount of information” from the company, the government and all applicants.

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Pickup says the results show no evidence MNP wrote grant applications for clients, influenced the evaluation process to benefit clients or used its administering of the program to “recruit” clients for the company’s other services.

In April, the provincial legislature unanimously directed Pickup’s office to examine allegations by electric-hybrid truck maker Edison Motors that MNP was both administering the grants and offering services to help businesses with applications.

The Office of the Auditor General says the allegations from Edison, which is based in Merritt suggested MNP “was offering to write grant applications in exchange for a success fee while also deciding who received grant funding.”

MNP said at the time that the allegations were “false and misleading.”

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