Ontario tourism minister resigns amid hotel expense controversy

Ontario Tourism, Culture and Gaming Minister Stan Cho has resigned from Premier Doug Ford's cabinet after facing mounting criticism over more than $16,000 in taxpayer-funded hotel stays in downtown Toronto, despite living less than six kilometres from Queen's Park.

As first reported by Global News on Friday (July 17), Cho's resignation comes one week after reports revealed he had claimed $16,203 in hotel expenses over the past three years while representing the Toronto riding of Willowdale.

After the story emerged, he said he would repay the full amount.

In a statement Friday, Ford's office confirmed it had accepted Cho's resignation, effective immediately.

“He has acknowledged and taken responsibility for his mistake. He will continue to serve the people of Willowdale as their Member of Provincial Parliament,” the statement reads.

Cho said he chose to step down to avoid distracting from the government's agenda.

“I am taking full responsibility, as I do not want to be a distraction from our plan to grow the economy,” the Willowdale MPP wrote.

Expense records show Cho claimed $1,431 for Toronto accommodation in 2023-24, $3,081 in 2024-25 and $11,691 in 2025-26, Global News reports.

He did not submit any hotel claims between his election in 2018 and 2022.

Ontario's expense rules allow MPPs who live more than 50 kilometres from Queen's Park to claim accommodation costs.

Those living within the 50-kilometre boundary may only claim overnight accommodation in "special or unusual circumstances."

Cho's home is approximately 5.9 kilometres from the Ontario legislature — about seven subway stops away — and, as a cabinet minister, he also had access to a government vehicle.

While maintaining that his claims complied with legislative rules, Cho acknowledged they were nonetheless a mistake.

“Over the past three years I claimed accommodation in the city on nights the legislature sat late,” he wrote. “I have reviewed every one of those claims and am satisfied they met the criteria set out in the members’ guide.”

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