Brampton East MPP Hardeep Singh Grewal is facing renewed scrutiny after Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles requested that the province’s Integrity Commissioner investigate whether public funds from his constituency office were used to advertise in a newspaper operated by his father. The complaint comes only days after Grewal was criticized for claiming more than $27,000 in taxpayer-funded hotel expenses while attending legislative sessions in Toronto despite representing a riding located in nearby Brampton.
According to the complaint, Grewal’s constituency office regularly placed advertisements promoting community events and public activities in the Punjabi Post, a Punjabi-language newspaper whose federal corporate records identify Jagdish Singh Grewal, the MPP’s father, as its director. The newspaper, established in 2002, serves the Greater Toronto Area’s Punjabi-speaking community and promotes itself as reaching approximately 35,000 readers. Advertising materials published by the newspaper identify Jagdish Singh Grewal as the primary contact for advertising sales and contracts.
The Ontario NDP alleges that because the advertisements promoted Grewal in his capacity as the local Member of Provincial Parliament rather than as a Progressive Conservative candidate, they were likely paid for through his publicly funded legislative office budget. The complaint argues that directing taxpayer-funded advertising to a business owned by an immediate family member may constitute a conflict of interest under Ontario’s Members’ Integrity Act, 1994. Examples submitted to the Integrity Commissioner reportedly include full-page advertisements announcing community events, Canada Day celebrations, seasonal greetings and constituency activities.
Marit Stiles stated that the issue raises serious concerns about whether public money may have benefited a close family member. She said the Integrity Commissioner should determine whether ethics rules were violated and emphasized that Ontario taxpayers deserve transparency regarding the use of legislative office budgets.
In response, Grewal said the Punjabi Post is a widely read ethnic publication serving Brampton’s large Punjabi-speaking population and noted that political parties from different backgrounds have advertised in the newspaper over the years. He acknowledged, however, that he should have sought guidance from the Integrity Commissioner before placing advertisements and confirmed that he has since contacted the commissioner’s office to obtain advice.
The latest allegations add to the scrutiny Grewal has faced over his accommodation expenses. Records previously revealed that he claimed more than $27,000 in hotel costs over the past three years while attending Queen’s Park, even though his constituency office is located approximately 43 kilometres from the Ontario Legislature.
Premier Doug Ford publicly criticized the hotel expense claims made by some Progressive Conservative MPPs, calling the spending unacceptable and stating that those involved would repay every dollar claimed. However, no detailed information has been released regarding which members have reimbursed taxpayers or when those repayments would occur.
The controversy has already resulted in the resignation of Willowdale MPP Stan Cho from cabinet after he claimed approximately $16,000 in hotel expenses despite living only a short distance from Queen’s Park. Cho acknowledged that although his claims complied with existing rules, asking taxpayers to cover the costs was a mistake.
Marit Stiles argued that the latest controversy reflects broader concerns about financial accountability within the governing Progressive Conservative caucus, saying the government must demonstrate greater transparency and responsibility in its use of public funds.
The Integrity Commissioner will now determine whether a formal review of the allegations against Grewal is warranted and whether any provisions of Ontario’s ethics legislation may have been breached.