Ontario to Change Expense Rules for MPPs After Hotel Billing Scandal

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 16, 2026

Ontario’s Progressive Conservative party plans to remove the “special circumstances” hotel expense provision for MPPs after revelations that several Toronto-area PC legislators billed taxpayers over $100,000 for hotel stays under this rule. The decision aims to address public criticism and opposition demands for greater transparency and accountability following scrutiny of government spending and failed attempts to acquire costly assets like a private jet.

Ontario’s governing Progressive Conservative party is moving to revise expense rules for Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) following a recent controversy over hotel billing practices by Toronto-area legislators.

The issue arose after it was revealed that several PC MPPs billed taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars for hotel accommodations over the past three years, including cabinet ministers and associate ministers representing ridings in and around Toronto. The expenses, approved by non-partisan legislative officials, were made possible under a “special circumstances” provision that allows MPPs living within 50 kilometres of Queen’s Park to claim hotel costs during exceptional situations such as snowstorms or late-night legislative sittings.

Government House Leader Steve Clark announced on Wednesday that he plans to introduce a motion to the Legislature’s governing committee to eliminate this expense category. The move comes amid public criticism and opposition calls for greater accountability following the disclosure of these hotel bills and a previous failed government attempt to acquire a private jet worth $28.9 million for Premier Doug Ford’s travel, which was scrapped after public backlash.

Investigations by media outlets showed that more than a dozen PC MPPs from the Toronto area collectively billed over $100,000 for hotel stays since 2021. Among them, Hardeep Grewal, parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Transportation from Brampton East, invoiced over $27,000; Nina Tangri, associate minister of small business from Mississauga-Streetsville, claimed nearly $19,000; and Charmaine Williams, associate minister of women’s social and economic opportunity from Brampton Centre, billed $15,865. Tourism, Culture and Gaming Minister Stan Cho, representing Willowdale in north Toronto, also expensed more than $16,000, including $6,000 in December 2025. Cho, who receives a vehicle and driver as part of his cabinet duties, has pledged to repay the amounts billed.

No members from the New Democratic Party or Liberal caucuses in the Toronto area have reported hotel claims during the same period. Repeated requests for comment from the implicated MPPs were not returned.

The Premier’s Office emphasized that expense approvals fall under the legislature’s jurisdiction and stated that any claims deemed inconsistent with the spirit of the rules would be reimbursed. However, the government did not clarify how or when repayments would be publicly reported or address opposition calls for additional transparency.

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles called for full repayment of the hotel expenses and criticized the Premier for not addressing the issue directly. Stiles welcomed the proposed rule changes but attributed the problem to individual PC members rather than the policy itself, demanding detailed disclosures and proof of reimbursements.

Similarly, Liberal MPP Stephanie Bowman expressed support for eliminating the special circumstances expense but highlighted that removing the provision alone would not resolve the issue without accountability measures. Bowman proposed a motion calling for mandatory repayments unless claims are validated by an independent review, along with public disclosure of all expense details dating back to 2022.

The unfolding controversy has renewed scrutiny on the government’s expenses and raised questions about financial oversight and ethical standards for public officials in Ontario.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.