Ford Condemns 'Unacceptable' Hotel Spending by Cabinet Members

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has labeled the use of taxpayer funds for Toronto hotel stays by some of his own cabinet ministers as "unacceptable," according to CityNews Toronto. The comments follow reports from Global News and subsequent analysis of public expense records showing that several members of the Premier's caucus used a "special circumstances" rule to bill for city accommodations since 2023.

According to CBC Toronto, the highest expenses were recorded by Hardeep Grewal, the representative for Brampton East, who billed more than $27,000. Other significant claims include nearly $19,000 from Nina Tangri, associate minister of small business for Mississauga-Streetsville, and more than $15,000 from Charmaine Williams, associate minister of women's social and economic opportunity for Brampton Centre.

Tourism, Culture and Gaming Minister Stan Cho, who represents the north Toronto riding of Willowdale, billed over $16,000. CityNews Toronto reports that Ford advised Cho to pay back the funds, and Cho has since promised to reimburse the public purse in full. A spokesperson for Ford's office said any expense that did not satisfy the rules' intent would be paid back to the legislature in full.

In response to the controversy, government house leader Steve Clark wrote to the Speaker on Wednesday to announce his intention to eliminate the rule. The policy previously allowed members living within 50 kilometres of Queen's Park to expense hotel stays during extenuating circumstances, such as snowstorms. While Liberal finance critic Stephanie Bowman expressed support for ending the practice, NDP Leader Marit Stiles argued that the issue was not the policy itself, but the choice by government members to abuse it.