After Global News broke this story, there has been a shifting narrative:
Tourism minister, Stan Cho first promised to only pay back anything that wasn’t in the “spirit” of the rules.
He later backtracked and said he would repay all $16,000.
Then the Premier’s Office said other MPPs who stayed in Toronto hotel rooms, instead of just going home, would pay back anything that didn’t align with the “intent“ of the policy.
The Premier’s Office also sent this:
“The Legislature is responsible for approving MPP expenses in accordance with the Legislative Guide to Members’ Expenses.”
Now, as the Ford government tries to clamp down on a scandal, it’s looking to eliminate the policy altogether.
A reminder that just one party has been taking advantage of the expense loophole.
NEW: A PC pattern emerges.
Most of the hotel expenses occur during the spring and fall of each year, suggesting some GTA-area PC MPPs are routinely using hotels when the Ontario legislature is in session - rather than going home like most.
https://t.co/RGT8JKx9eR
#onpoli
One of Canada’s largest landlords has lost its appeal against a group of Toronto tenants who said they were overcharged rent since 2023 to pay for upgrades to the building. https://t.co/dRk26X4xWR
IMO, a lot of people don't have a worldview. For them, politics is about gender performance. Andrew Schulz fantasizes about joining the military to fight for his country, but won't set his thermostat to 78°. It's not about civic responsibility, but about performing machismo.