Ontario association could be asked to repay grant

The Ontario Cricket Association will have to convince the government that it can utilise the controversial Can$1 million grant if it is not to be asked to repay some of the money.

The grant was made by the former citizen and immigration minister Mile Colle, part of Can$32 million handed over to 110 multicultural groups over the last two years. The association had requested Can$150,000, but Colle sanctioned Can$1 million. He was subsequently forced to resign.

Officials from the OCA met with Gerry Phillips, Colle's successor, this week to discuss the grant. The net result was that the association promised to provide a detailed audit showing how the capital funds were used to refurbish the King City cricket complex. It will also provide an outline on how it would spend the balance of the funds - about Can$600,000 - by the end of the month.

Phillips will review the outline and then decide whether to ask for some of the cash to be repaid.