{"id":806241,"date":"2026-07-16T19:06:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T19:06:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/806241\/"},"modified":"2026-07-16T19:06:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T19:06:18","slug":"doug-ford-says-ministers-hotel-claims-totally-unacceptable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/806241\/","title":{"rendered":"Doug ford says ministers\u2019 hotel claims totally unacceptable"},"content":{"rendered":"

Premier Ford says MPPs choosing to stay in hotels when they live close to Queen\u2019s Park is \u2018unacceptable\u2019 after recent public backlash. <\/p>\n

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says members of his government who billed taxpayers for Toronto hotel stays despite living in and around the GTA will pay back \u201cevery single penny,\u201d adding that the expenses are \u201ctotally unacceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n

The comments are Ford\u2019s first remarks since expense records this week<\/a> showed several Progressive Conservative MPPs billed taxpayers thousands of dollars for hotel stays under a legislative rule allowing reimbursements in \u201cspecial circumstances.\u201d <\/p>\n

This week, the government announced they will move to axe the policy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, as my colleagues know, unacceptable. Believe it or not, totally unacceptable,\u201d Ford said Thursday in Windsor, Ont.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I told them, \u2018You\u2019re paying back every single penny.\u2019 That\u2019s not the way. Simple as that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Who spent the most?<\/p>\n

The controversy erupted after Tourism, Culture and Gaming Minister Stan Cho came under fire for claiming more than $16,000 in Toronto hotel expenses since 2023 despite representing the north Toronto riding of Willowdale.<\/p>\n

In fact, records which have since been made public, show he\u2019s not alone.<\/p>\n

In addition to Cho, Brampton East MPP Hardeep Grewal billed more than $27,000 in Toronto hotel expenses since 2023. Associate Small Business Minister Nina Tangri, who represents Mississauga-Streetsville, claimed nearly $19,000, while Associate Women\u2019s Social and Economic Opportunity Minister Charmaine Williams, the MPP for Brampton Centre, billed more than $15,000.<\/p>\n

All four recorded their highest claims during the fiscal year that ended in March.<\/p>\n

Cho, for his part, has already pledged to reimburse the full amount.<\/p>\n

\"\"Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming Stan Cho attends Question Period at Queen’s Park in Toronto, on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Sammy Kogan Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming Stan Cho attends Question Period at Queen’s Park in Toronto, on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Sammy Kogan <\/p>\n

Government House Leader Steve Clark has also written to the Speaker requesting the elimination of the rule that allows MPPs living within 50 kilometres of Queen\u2019s Park to claim Toronto hotel expenses in extenuating circumstances. MPPs who live more than 50 kilometres from Queen\u2019s Park are entitled to bill taxpayers for the cost of accommodations. <\/p>\n

Speaking with reporters on Thursday, Ford said that he was so upset when he spoke to caucus about the expenses that he had to be pulled \u201coff the roof.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot to get into details, as my two colleagues will tell you, when I talked to caucus, he literally had to pull me off the roof,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

Opposition demands answers<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, NDP Leader Marit Stiles said this week that the issue goes beyond the policy itself, adding that it should only be used for extenuating circumstances.<\/p>\n

\"\"Marit Stiles Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles speaks to media at Queen\u2019s Park in Toronto, on Thursday, April 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Laura Proctor <\/p>\n

\u201cThe policy was for extenuating circumstances\u2026 emergencies like a snowstorm,\u201d she said. \u201cHe can change the policy all he wants, but it\u2019s not going to change the fact that these members\u2026 chose to abuse it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Liberal finance critic Stephanie Bowman also said her party supports ending the rule but is also calling for all of the claims to be repaid and independently reviewed, arguing the policy was too vague and \u201crife for abuse.\u201d<\/p>\n

With files from the Canadian Press…<\/p>\n

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