Stan Cho steps down over taxpayer-funded hotel expenses in Toronto

Ontario Tourism, Culture and Gaming Minister Stan Cho has resigned from Premier Doug Ford's cabinet after facing criticism over more than $16,000 in taxpayer-funded hotel expenses in Toronto.

Global News first reported that Cho claimed the hotel costs over the past three years despite living about six kilometres from Queen's Park. After the report was published, Cho said he would repay the money.

According to Global News, Cho's hotel claims rose from $1,431 in 2023 to $11,691 in 2025-26, despite living within the distance where overnight accommodation is generally restricted.

On Friday, the premier's office confirmed the resignation, saying: “Earlier today, I accepted the resignation of Stan Cho from Cabinet, 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.”

IN his own statement, Cho said: “I am taking full responsibility, as I do not want to be a distraction from our plan to grow the economy.”

“I have a young family at home and a schedule that too often kept me from them. On late nights, I made a choice that was easier for me. I did not stop to ask how it would look to a person in my riding working a double shift”, he added.

Cho said he had reviewed the claims and believed they met legislative rules, but accepted claiming the expenses was a mistake.