politics
Ontario integrity commissioner reviews Brampton MPP ad spending
The commissioner is examining whether Progressive Conservative MPP Hardeep Grewal used public funds to place ads in a newspaper run by an immediate family member. NDP Leader Marit Stiles filed the complaint Monday. The review follows earlier reports of caucus hotel expenses.
Jul 20, 5:04 PM·1m read2 sources
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Ontario's integrity commissioner is reviewing allegations that Progressive Conservative MPP Hardeep Grewal of Brampton East used taxpayer dollars to purchase advertising in a newspaper run by an immediate family member. Global News reported on Monday that the paper is the Punjabi Post.
Grewal said the outlet is a popular ethnic news source in Brampton and that several political parties have advertised in it.
filed Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles said she filed a complaint Monday asking the commissioner to examine what she described as Grewal's "clear pattern" of placing ads in the paper. " Grewal stated that prior to the advertising he should have consulted the integrity commissioner and has since reached out to her office for advice.
The review comes after several Progressive Conservative MPPs were found to have expensed thousands of dollars in Toronto hotel stays over the past three years, including Grewal, who spent more than $27,000 despite living in Brampton. On Friday, MPP Stan Cho of Willowdale resigned from cabinet after expensing $16,000 in Toronto hotel stays while living in the city.
Premier Doug Ford said at an unrelated news conference Friday that the hotel expenses are "totally unacceptable" and that he has told every member of caucus to repay the spending. A spokesperson for the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario said no additional details are available while the matter remains under review.
