Brampton MPP faces questions over taxpayer-funded ads in father’s newspaper

Brampton East MPP Hardeep Grewal faces accusations of misusing public funds for advertisements in his father's newspaper, the Punjabi Post. The Ontario NDP has formally requested an investigation by the integrity commissioner, alleging a conflict of interest.

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MPP Grewal just got caught with his hands in the taxpayers’ pockets, spending nearly $30,000 on luxury downtown Toronto hotel stays, and now, potentially breaking ethics rules to enrich an immediate family member with tax dollars.

Global News has learned that Grewal, a Progressive Conservative MPP, is under scrutiny for potentially using his publicly funded constituency budget to place ads in the newspaper run by his father, Jagdish Singh Grewal. This comes shortly after revelations that Grewal had expensed over $27,000 on Toronto hotels in three years, despite living in Brampton.

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The Punjabi Post is a popular ethnic news outlet in Brampton-a community with a large Punjabi speaking population. Political parties of all stripes have advertised with the Punjabi Post. Prior to advertising, I should have consulted with the Integrity Commissioner and have since reached out to her office for advice.

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles filed a complaint with the integrity commissioner, asserting that Grewal "just got caught with his hands in the taxpayers’ pockets." Stiles claims the advertisements, which promote Grewal's events like summer BBQs, financially benefit his father, who is listed as the director and advertising contact for the Punjabi Post. The newspaper, founded in 2002, reportedly has 35,000 readers.

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A review of the Member’s expenses has led me to believe that the Member may have violated the Member’s Integrity Act, 1994, and I am requesting that you offer an opinion on the matter.

Grewal responded by stating he would seek guidance from the integrity commissioner. He noted that the Punjabi Post is a popular ethnic news outlet used by various political parties. "Prior to advertising, I should have consulted with the Integrity Commissioner and have since reached out to her office for advice," Grewal said in a statement. The NDP complaint includes past newspaper issues featuring advertisements for Grewal's events, arguing these non-partisan ads were approved by his office and potentially violate the Member's Integrity Act, 1994.

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We believe the member may have used public money from his Legislature budget to purchase services from a business solely owned by an immediate family member.