Premier Doug Ford says the hotel expense scandal that’s triggered a wave of public backlash is “nothing compared to previous governments,” even as he promises that expenses incurred by his MPPs will be paid back to taxpayers — within reason.
In a brief 90-second interview as Ford walked back to his office at Queen’s Park on Wednesday, the premier also defended his government when asked whether the hotel expenses violated his 2018 election promise that the party with the taxpayer dollar is over.
“The party with the taxpayers’ dollars are over, believe me,” Ford said at the time.
Global News was first to report on the hotel room expenses incurred by members of the Ford government who live within driving distance of Queen’s Park. Several Progressive Conservative MPPs submitted the expenses under a “special circumstance” designation normally reserved for emergencies such as a snowstorm.
Tourism Minister Stan Cho, who lives less than six kilometres away from Queen’s Park, was scrutinized after billing taxpayers for more than $16,000 in Toronto hotel room stays over the past three years.
The Ford government claimed Cho repaid the entire amount after the story broke, but did not provide evidence.
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On Wednesday, the Ontario NDP revealed that 20 PC MPPs charged taxpayers a total of $120,000 over the course of several years to stay in downtown Toronto hotel rooms, despite living within 50 kilometers away from the Ontario legislature.
That included two Peel Region cabinet ministers and a parliamentary assistant who billed $50,000 between them in hotel stays over two years.
The Premier’s Office said that while the legislature was responsible for approving the expense requests, any hotel room stay that “did not meet the intent of the rules will be reimbursed to the Legislature in full.”
That language, though, has raised questions about what falls within the “intent” of the policy.
Currently, GTA-area MPPs can be reimbursed for their accommodation costs for “special or unusual circumstances while on Legislative Assembly business,” which includes a night sitting at Queen’s Park.
Ford, who sources said was angered by the expenses story and addressed his caucus about the scandal earlier this week, clarified that only expenses incurred while the legislature was not in session would have to be paid back.
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“If we were sitting, that’s one thing,” Ford said. “But anything else they’re paying back … I have zero tolerance for that.”
Opposition parties have scoffed at the suggestion that government members would require special accommodation for night sittings and said most MPPs are always prepared for these situations.
“I had sheets in my office … I’ve slept on that couch a few times,” NDP Leader Marit Stiles said. “And that’s what a lot of MPPs do if there’s a big night sitting.”
On Wednesday, the Ford government asked opposition parties to support their effort to eliminate the benefit by changing the rules at an internal committee that governs the affairs of the Ontario legislature.
Liberal MPP Stephanie Bowman, who sits on the Board of Internal Economy, said she was willing to support the change with one major condition.
“If the government is willing to disclose all the expenses that were incurred since 2022, provide the date, the amount, the purpose of that expense, then I’m prepared to have a conversation to support the motion to remove this rule altogether,” Bowman said.
Global News also asked Ford about Cho’s expenses and whether it was acceptable for a cabinet minister to charge taxpayers more than $16,000 for hotel rooms, despite living six kilometres away from Queen’s Park,
“And that’s why he’s paying it back,” Ford said before ending the brief encounter and walking into his office.
Soooo tired of reading about yet another political scandal. They don’t care about getting caught. Nothing will happen to them. Instead of trying to better communities, they all just want to fill their pockets and bank accounts as much as possible. This money will never be paid back, even though our “trusted” Politicians say that it will be paid back. Or has been paid back already. Yet no proof.
There’s gonna always be scandals in politics. Because they’re greedy. And only see dollar signs once elected.
Just imagine what taxpayers don’t know about how Politicians spend our money. Stop with all the perks and having taxpayers pay for such perks.
Do what the taxpayers voted you into office for, and fulfill all those campaign promises made. Doesn’t matter what level of gov’t, they all break promises. And take taxpayers’ money as often as they can, legally and illegal. How many social services and programming have closed due to lack of money. Im sure stopping perks and actually holding dirty Politicians accountable, would save a program or two.
Enough with all the scandals. And don’t blow a scandal off, like it’s no big deal.
…ford is saying ‘we got caught, so we will pay it back….maybe’. More ‘point the way so i can lead’ from ford. How gullible can Ontarians be? Pretty gullible apparently…..oh look, free beer!!
Only paying it back because they got caught.Can Ford et al spell C O R R U P T? I doubt it
One would imagine billing expenses when the legislature isn’t sitting amounts to criminal fraud.
He can’t even look the reporter in the eye, or face the camera. He will not be answerable to the people. He and his MPs are on an extended ‘break’ because they are not here to do the work of the people.
They are just like Trump dishonest.
They are just like Trump dishonest. Can’t trust white people.
Too little too late the only reason they are paying it back is they got caught it should never have happened in the first place. I wonder how much corruption has gone at all government levels Government officials have kept Canadians focused on Trump and the campaign against anything American as a distraction and in the meantime our own politicians are scamming the Canadian taxpayers. It’s time the Canadian media started to hold our politicians to account for they conduct
They got caught with their hands in the cookie jar and Ford believes that two wrongs make a right with his comment that previous governments were more corrupt. What a joke Ford and his government have turned out to be. Even worse than the Liberals for corruption and scandals, and THAT is saying a LOT !! Ford is definitely more of a Liberal than a Conservative and it shows.
The fact that Ford’s party runs under a conservative banner is hilarious! In his terms as premier, he’s shown he’s just a lighter shade of red in everything they’ve done.
Unlike Carney and his 55 man entourage that billed us thousands for meals per person on a 3 day tour that ended in the Canary Islands for some reason.
You politicians could just not be corrupt in the first place. Wouldn’t that be easier?
For the people? More like hose the people
“I was not expecting to be caught. We we were doing this for years” Fraud Doug.
I am happy to see conservative govts scrutinized over corrupt practices and false expenses. I would be far happier if I saw the same scrutiny applied evenly, across the board.. to all stripes and levels of govt. Lots of money should have been paid back!
Ford has a short interview, which essentially is his way of saying, “Nothing to see here”. His government was caught once again and another scandal added to his long list of scandals. Far more than any government before his. Conservative supporters are deflecting with , it’s been fixed, now let’s focus on Carney instead. Seems the Conservatives never take responsibility, even when they claim to, because they simply don’t learn or care. They even changed the FOI in hopes to hide as much as they can. Just because other governments have done it doesn’t mean Ford should. I guess “transparency” doesn’t exist in his vocabulary.
How many more news article do we need on this? Yes those Ministers screwed up, and Ford is rectifying it. Let’s focus on actual large scale gifts. Carney blows more money on food on one plane trip, trying to secure trade deals that just 3 years ago he advice Trudeau not to agree to like the selling of LNG to Germany.
GET FORD AND HIS CRONIES OUT!!!!
Just like the school board, a third party should be involved in AUDITING and getting these clowns back on track of their spending!!! Including the federal government and his crazy spending of public money!!! As well as an extensive investigation into the buying of seats so he can pass whatever legislation his wants!
For s guy who pretends to be tough he is quite the coward