The Ontario Financial Accountability Office (FAO), an independent financial oversight agency in the province, launched an official investigation into Premier Ford's decision to close nine ServiceOntario locations and convert them into Staples Canada stores, according to 680 Newsradio.

The FAO is conducting the investigation at the request of Liberal MPP Stephanie Bowman, who cited reports from 680 NewsRadio.

In this context, Bowman wrote in her request letter to the FAO, “We understand from news reports that these contracts will provide substantial value to these large American companies.”

She added, “However, the government has not been clear about the value to Ontario taxpayers.”

The FAO's investigation will compare the financial costs and benefits of the government's contract with Staples Canada against the alternative of continuing contracts with independent private operators.

It will aim to answer several key questions, including how Staples Canada will be compensated during the three-year pilot program, what financial arrangements are included in the deal, and it will consist of a financial analysis of the transfer of ServiceOntario centers.

Government officials revealed that using Staples locations is expected to save approximately $900,000 over three years, but the business case was never provided to 680 NewsRadio.