Brampton, July 23: Brampton East MPP Hardeep Grewal is facing renewed political scrutiny after the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP) filed a complaint with Elections Ontario, alleging that his 2022 provincial election campaign failed to properly report campaign advertising expenses and may have breached Ontario’s election advertising rules.
According to the complaint, first reported by Global News, campaign advertisements promoting Grewal appeared in the Punjabi Post, a Peel Region newspaper owned by his father, Jagdish Grewal, during the 2022 provincial election campaign.
The Ontario NDP alleges the advertisements were not reported as campaign expenses and further claims that some advertisements appeared during Ontario’s election advertising blackout period, when new political advertising is generally prohibited.
Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles has called on Elections Ontario to investigate whether the advertising constituted an undeclared campaign contribution and whether Ontario’s election finance laws were violated.
In a statement provided to Global News, Grewal acknowledged that the advertising invoices were not initially paid but described the omission as an oversight.
He stated that the advertisements have since been paid for and that he has contacted Elections Ontario for guidance on addressing the matter.
Grewal also maintained that his campaign did not authorize any advertisements to appear during the blackout period and said he expected media organizations to comply with applicable election advertising regulations.
The latest complaint is separate from another matter currently before Ontario’s Integrity Commissioner.
Earlier this week, the Ontario NDP requested that the commissioner investigate Grewal after it was revealed that his constituency office used public funds to purchase advertisements in the Punjabi Post, including promotions for constituency events such as a community barbecue.
Responding to that issue, Grewal said the Punjabi Post is a widely read ethnic newspaper serving Brampton’s Punjabi-speaking community and noted that political parties from different political backgrounds have advertised in the publication.
He also acknowledged that he should have sought advice from the Integrity Commissioner before placing the advertisements and confirmed that he has since contacted the commissioner’s office for guidance.
The Integrity Commissioner’s office has confirmed receiving the complaint but has not announced whether it will open a formal investigation.
The election finance allegations also come as Grewal continues to face questions regarding approximately $27,000 in taxpayer-funded hotel expenses claimed between 2023 and 2026, despite representing a constituency located roughly 43 kilometres from Queen’s Park.
Premier Doug Ford previously described the hotel expense claims as “unacceptable” and said affected members would be required to repay the funds.
Unlike former cabinet minister Stan Cho, who resigned following controversy over hotel expense claims, Grewal has remained a member of the Progressive Conservative caucus and continues to serve as Parliamentary Assistant to Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria.
At this time, Elections Ontario has not publicly confirmed whether it has opened a formal investigation into the latest complaint.
The allegations outlined in the complaint have not been proven, and no findings have been made by Elections Ontario or any other adjudicative body. Grewal has stated that he is cooperating with the relevant authorities and has taken steps to address the campaign advertising issue.