TORONTO — Premier Doug Ford’s office is denying an allegation that provincial funding sought by Keel Digital Solutions was linked to a request that Postmedia publish an article by Ford before Ontario’s 2025 election.

The allegation appears in a sworn declaration by former Postmedia chief executive Paul Godfrey that was provided to Ontario Provincial Police and obtained by The Trillium and Global News. It has not been proven in court, and the police investigation is ongoing.

Declaration describes an alleged request

Godfrey said his son, Keel chief executive Rob Godfrey, told him in January 2025 that Ford’s then-chief of staff, Patrick Sackville, had discussed a proposed three-year funding agreement and said the premier needed a favour from Postmedia.

According to the declaration, the request was for the newspaper chain to publish a letter explaining Ford’s rationale for calling an early election. Ford’s article appeared in Postmedia’s Ontario newspapers on January 28, one day before the election was called.

Paul Godfrey said he understood the communication as political pressure tied to the funding proposal. He also said Ford later thanked him and linked Postmedia’s help to the start of the campaign.

Premier’s office and former chief of staff reject claim

Sackville told Global News the allegation was entirely false. The premier’s office called it categorically untrue and disconnected from reality, noting that Ford regularly submits opinion pieces to major publications.

Postmedia said political figures routinely request editorial consideration and that no commercial consideration is required. It said it had no knowledge of the background events described by Godfrey.

Keel dispute remains before courts and police

Ontario is seeking $25.9 million from Keel, alleging the company misled the province about mental-health counselling activity to obtain funding. Keel denies fraud and has countersued for more than $100 million. The company is now in receivership.

The OPP investigation does not establish wrongdoing. No criminal charge has been announced in connection with the declaration’s allegations.

Sources: The Trillium reporting on the sworn declaration; Global News, October 7; The Trillium via TorontoToday, October 7.

Lead image: flag of Ontario via Wikimedia Commons; not a photograph of the people, companies or alleged communications described.