Ontario Premier Doug Ford has ordered 16 Progressive Conservative MPPs to repay more than $100,000 in taxpayer-funded Toronto hotel expenses, calling their claims "unacceptable" despite representing local ridings.
Speaking at a press conference in Windsor on Thursday, Ford confirmed the MPPs—including Tourism Minister Stan Cho, who billed over $16,000—would be required to return "every single penny." The expenses were incurred under a policy allowing hotel stays for "special or unusual circumstances," such as legislative overnight sessions or severe weather.
Ford Condemns Hotel Spending as Policy Faces Scrutiny
Ford, who had previously remained silent on the issue, described the expenses as "totally unacceptable" and insisted such spending does not align with his government’s fiscal principles. According to reports, the premier’s frustration was evident during a closed-door caucus meeting, with witnesses stating he had to be "pulled off the roof" during discussions.
The Ontario government announced Wednesday it would eliminate the "special circumstances" provision from its housing-allowance policy. However, opposition parties, including the NDP, have demanded full transparency, noting that current disclosure records only show total amounts spent—not individual dates, costs, or durations of stays.
Opposition Demands Details as Legislature Remains in Recess
The NDP launched a website detailing the hotel expenses, highlighting the proximity of the MPPs’ ridings to Queen’s Park. The controversy follows a separate spring scandal involving the government’s brief purchase and resale of a $30 million Bombardier jet for the premier’s travel, which incurred $200,000 in taxpayer-funded fees.
With the provincial legislature on summer recess until late October, opposition MPPs have limited opportunities to press the government for further answers. The Ford administration has not indicated whether additional details on the hotel expenses will be released.
