A Progressive Conservative MPP is facing allegations of misusing taxpayer money to promote his family’s interests, according to , shortly after it came to light that he charged taxpayers thousands for stays at downtown Toronto hotels.
On Monday, the Ontario NDP requested an investigation from the integrity commissioner into Brampton East MPP Hardeep Grewal, asserting he has been using his publicly funded constituency budget to place ads in a newspaper owned by his father.
Grewal – who has already drawn criticism for claiming $27,000 for hotel expenses in Toronto over the last three years while residing in Brampton – seems to have frequently advertised local events in the Punjabi Post, a publication managed by his father, Jagdish Singh Grewal.
“MPP Grewal just got caught with his hands in the taxpayers’ pockets, spending nearly $30,000 on luxury downtown Toronto hotel stays, and now possibly breaking ethics rules to benefit a family member with tax dollars,” said Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles.
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Stiles filed her complaint with the integrity commissioner on Monday morning. She claimed that these s pose a conflict of interest because they financially benefit Grewal’s father.
In response, Grewal stated he would consult with the integrity commissioner for guidance.
“The Punjabi Post is a well-known ethnic news outlet in Brampton-a community with many Punjabi speakers. Political parties across the board have advertised with the Punjabi Post,” he noted.
“I should have checked with the Integrity Commissioner before placing ads and have since contacted her office for advice.”
Federal filings related to the NDP complaint show that Jagdish Singh Grewal is listed as the director of the Punjabi Post.
The examples submitted to the integrity commissioner by NDP include a Canada Day ad that ran over three days along with various seasonal greetings.
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“We’ve urged the Integrity Commissioner to examine MPP Grewal’s spending practices due to clear evidence of ads placed in a local paper owned by his father,” Stiles mentioned further.
“If MPP Grewal’s family members are profiting from taxpayer money, then people deserve transparency.”
It remains unclear whether other MPPs have reimbursed their claims yet.
The premier’s office hasn’t responded to inquiries made by regarding which others may have repaid their expenses.
Stan Cho – who spent $16,000 on hotels despite living only six kilometers from Queen’s Park – has resigned amid ongoing scrutiny about spending within Ford’s government.
The Willowdale MPP claimed he followed all rules but acknowledged it was wrong for taxpayers to cover hotel costs.
Stiles indicated these issues stem from higher leadership levels.
“Doug Ford sets expectations within his caucus,” she remarked.
“It’s evident that some MPPs who’ve spent large amounts of taxpayer money indulging themselves still enjoy confidence under him; but what else can we expect from someone who tried purchasing himself a private jet at public expense?”. © 2026 , a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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Get breaking Canada news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won’t miss a trending story. The newspaper started in 2002 as a daily Punjabi news source and claims around 35,000 readers according to its media kit available online. The same kit indicates Jagdish Singh Grewal is listed as the contact person for “advertising, insertion orders, sales or contracts.” Story continues below The NDP’s complaint includes past editions of the newspaper featuring s for events hosted by MPP Grewal like a summer BBQ prominently displayed on its front page. The ads are non-partisan; they highlight Grewal’s role as a local MPP rather than promoting the Progressive Conservative Party. The NDP argues this suggests they were sanctioned by his office. “A review of the Member’s expenses has led me to believe that there may be violations of the Member’s Integrity Act from 1994. I’m requesting your opinion on this matter,” Stiles wrote in her letter addressed to the integrity commissioner. “We think public funds from his Legislature budget were used improperly for services from an enterprise solely owned by an immediate family member.”
The examples submitted to the integrity commissioner by NDP include a Canada Day ad that ran over three days along with various seasonal greetings.
Story continues below
“We’ve urged the Integrity Commissioner to examine MPP Grewal’s spending practices due to clear evidence of ads placed in a local paper owned by his father,” Stiles mentioned further.
“If MPP Grewal’s family members are profiting from taxpayer money, then people deserve transparency.”
Grewal also leads hotel expense list
Apart from this issue, Grewal has encountered scrutiny after claiming over $27,000 for staying at hotels in Toronto even though his constituency office is just 43 kilometers away from Queen’s Park. Story continues below Premier Doug Ford criticized some of his MPPs’ expenditures and stated they must repay what they’ve claimed without detailing further information about it. “It’s unacceptable; that’s not how we operate. We need better fiscal management,” Ford remarked on Friday. “It’s simply not acceptable; they’re returning every single penny.”[a]For more details see above link[link],,,.].It remains unclear whether other MPPs have reimbursed their claims yet.
The premier’s office hasn’t responded to inquiries made by regarding which others may have repaid their expenses.
Stan Cho – who spent $16,000 on hotels despite living only six kilometers from Queen’s Park – has resigned amid ongoing scrutiny about spending within Ford’s government.
The Willowdale MPP claimed he followed all rules but acknowledged it was wrong for taxpayers to cover hotel costs.
Stiles indicated these issues stem from higher leadership levels.
“Doug Ford sets expectations within his caucus,” she remarked.
“It’s evident that some MPPs who’ve spent large amounts of taxpayer money indulging themselves still enjoy confidence under him; but what else can we expect from someone who tried purchasing himself a private jet at public expense?”. © 2026 , a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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