The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday, Jan. 10, edition that the Ontario government recently provided funding to mining exploration companies called Griftco and Money Money Money. The Globe's Niall McGee writes that the Ontario Junior Exploration Program (OJEP) allocates taxpayer funds to junior mining companies for exploration projects. Under the program, companies can apply to receive up to $200,000 per mining project, and up to $10,000 for supporting indigenous employment. One of the approximately 100 companies to receive funding under OJEP last year was a privately held company called Griftco. It received $66,035. Bay Street lawyer Chris Irwin is one of the principals behind Griftco. He said the name has nothing to do with ripping people off. Griftco has done business with Trelawney Mining and Exploration and Canoe Mining Ventures. Mr. Irwin says that nobody at those companies ever raised concerns about the optics of doing a deal with Griftco. Another curiously named company to receive money under OJEP in 2023 for junior miners was Money Money Money, a privately held entity based in Wawa. It received $27,494. As it is a private company, there is very little public information about Money Money Money.