Ontario Tourism Minister Stan Cho has faced criticism after public disclosure records revealed he billed taxpayers over $16,000 for hotel stays in Toronto between 2025 and 2026.

His riding of Willowdale is just a few kilometers from Queen’s Park, raising questions about the necessity of such expenses given his proximity to the provincial legislature.

Opposition leaders, including Liberal interim leader John Fraser and NDP leader Marit Stiles, criticized the practice, with Fraser comparing it to the controversial 'gravy plane' scandal involving former Premier Doug Ford’s private jet.Cho initially claimed the stays were justified under 'special circumstances' but later agreed to reimburse taxpayers after media scrutiny.

The controversy highlights broader concerns about provincial spending transparency, as 16 Progressive Conservative MPPs have used similar expense allowances in recent years.

Despite public backlash, the Ford government has yet to comment on the issue, though it announced plans to eliminate the 'special circumstance' expense category.

Critics argue that Cho’s frequent hotel use appears more like a personal preference than an unavoidable necessity, further fueling debates about accountability in provincial politics.