Ontario premier won't say if ex-minister will remain in PC caucus

TORONTO – Ontario Premier Doug Ford won’t say if a former cabinet minister who stepped down last week after promising to reimburse more than $16,000 in hotel expenses will remain in his caucus.

Ford was asked about Stan Cho’s place in the Progressive Conservative caucus today after Global News reported the Toronto legislator had also billed his riding association for thousands of dollars in meals, flights and hotel rooms over the last three years.

Speaking at an unrelated news conference, the premier repeatedly described Cho’s actions as “unacceptable,” but did not say whether Cho would remain in caucus.

Global News first reported last week that Cho, who represents the riding of Willowdale and served as the minister of tourism, culture and gaming, had billed taxpayers for thousands of dollars in Toronto accommodations between 2023-24 and 2025-26.

Cho said at the time that his expenses met the criteria for special circumstances under the legislature’s rules but that he would personally reimburse the full amount. He resigned as minister days later.

Monday’s questions related to expenses filed to his riding association. Riding associations are funded through private donations, fundraising events, and public subsidies determined by the number of votes cast for the party’s candidate in the most recent election.

The Liberals provided copies of the Willowdale riding association’s annual financial filings for 2023 to 2025 as they questioned why Cho remains in the PC caucus.

“Given the further revelations this morning about ex-minister Cho’s lavish lifestyle, it’s hard to believe the premier is allowing him to stay in caucus. I guess, though, in Doug Ford’s caucus, that sort of thing flies,” interim Liberal leader John Fraser said in a statement.

“I guess after buying a luxury private jet, the premier doesn’t have a leg to stand on,” he said, referring to a nearly $30-million plane the government purchased for Ford’s use, then quickly returned.