An Ontario dentist who says his patients include the Ford family received $2 million from the Skills Development Fund
Premier Doug Ford denies having any involvement with the fund’s allocation
The Skills Development Fund saga is basically an Ontario reality show at this point. We never know what outlandish new allegation is coming around the bend, and following the story is almost as jaw-dropping as the antics of debauched bar stars in Kelowna—you know, cast members on actual reality television, not politicians.
Yesterday, the Trillium’s ongoing Skills Development Fund reporting revealed that a company that received millions from the fund is run by a dentist whose patients have allegedly included Premier Doug Ford’s family members.
Related: Questions surround David Piccini regarding taxpayer dollars reportedly funding a Toronto nightclub
According to the story, the dental office’s website tells prospective patients, “We want you to feel as comfortable and relaxed as the Ford family has during their visits with us.” Premier Ford told the Trillium that he and his immediate family have not seen Dr. John Maggirias themselves, but that it’s possible his extended family could be dental clients of his.
According to eight sources interviewed by the Trillium, Maggirias often spoke of having connections to Ford’s family. His company, Dentacloud, a dental practice sales brokerage, received over $2 million from the Skills Development Fund in 2023.
Premier Ford denied having any influence on the fund. “I don’t get involved in all of the decisions,” he said. “I don’t believe in micromanaging.”
Allegations of conflicts of interest have followed the fund’s disbursement of taxpayer money. Ontario Labour Minister David Piccini, who oversees the Skills Development Fund, was seen at a Maple Leafs game in rinkside seats belonging to the family of Peter Zakarow, the director of a company that has received millions from the fund. Piccini also attended the Paris wedding of lobbyist Michael Rudderham, who represents Keel Solutions, which received at least $2.7 million from the fund.
Ontario’s auditor general said earlier this year that Skills Development Fund allocation has not been “fair, transparent or accountable.”
Carly Lewis is a journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Times and the New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, Wired, Interview Magazine, Pitchfork, Elle, and Maclean’s, where she is a contributing editor. Her work has been recognized by the National Magazine Awards and the Digital Publishing Awards. She reports on city life, culture—including what people do online—politics, art and crime. She received the Dave Greber Freelance Writers Award for “The Murder of Ashley Wadsworth,” an investigative feature about a Canadian teenager who was killed by a man she met on social media, published by Maclean’s.
