Jessica Bell

Now it’s emerging that the expenses rule – the one that allowed Toronto-area Conservative MPPs to claim for downtown Toronto hotel rooms – is also being quickly thrown out of the (hotel) window. Once again, Ford and his government get caught breaking the rules. And then change the rules so they no longer apply to them.

Conservatives like to tell us they're good with money. Instead, it looks like Doug Ford and his PC MPPs have thrown fiscal responsibility out of the (hotel) window.

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.