Ford government looks to axe rule that let Toronto MPPs expense Toronto hotel stays
The move follows backlash after 20 PC MPPs billed taxpayers $120,000 for downtown Toronto hotel stays over several years.
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government is moving to eliminate a 'special circumstances' rule that allowed Toronto-area MPPs to bill taxpayers for local hotel stays. Government House Leader Steve Clark initiated the process on Wednesday, seeking opposition agreement.
- Tourism Minister Stan Cho faced heavy criticism Tuesday after billing taxpayers more than $16,000 for Toronto hotel rooms despite living less than six kilometres from the Ontario Legislature. Cho used a 'special circumstance' designation intended for emergencies.
- The Ontario NDP revealed on Wednesday that 20 Progressive Conservative MPPs charged taxpayers $120,000 for local hotel stays over several years. High-billing members included Hardeep Grewal with more than $27,000, Nina Tangri with nearly $19,000, and Charmaine Williams with more than $15,000.
- NDP Leader Marit Stiles demanded full accounting and repayment, arguing members 'abused the rule.' Cho promised to reimburse his expenses, though Stiles said, 'He can change the policy all he wants,' contending members knowingly misused an emergency provision.
- The Board of Internal Economy, which oversees financial affairs at the legislature, controls expense categories for all MPPs. Clark's letter to the Speaker aims to eliminate the 'special circumstances' designation entirely, resolving the ongoing controversy.
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30 Articles
NiagaraFallsReview.ca
Loonie Politics‘Unacceptable’: Ford says Toronto-area caucus members will repay Toronto hotel bills
The practice of Toronto-area members of the Ontario Progressive Conservative caucus billing taxpayers for thousands of dollars' worth of hotel stays in the city is "unacceptable," Premier Doug Ford said Thursday.
Winnipeg Free Press
'Unacceptable': Ford says Toronto-area caucus members will repay Toronto hotel bills
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the practice of Toronto-area members of his caucus billing taxpayers for thousands of dollars' worth of hotel stays in the city is
Ford Moves to Tighten Expense Rules After Toronto MPPs Billed Thousands for Local Hotel Stays
Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government is taking steps to alter guidelines that allow MPPs who live in and near Toronto to expense hotel stays in the city after it was reported that members of his caucus had billed tens of thousands of dollars in recent years. Tourism Minister Stan Cho said this week he would repay more than $16,000 in taxpayer-funded hotel expenses he claimed in Toronto since 2023, after facing criticism from opposition parties…
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