Travel expense rules and claims
The rules for claiming and reimbursing work-related travel, meal and hospitality expenses.
Overview
Government employees, elected officials and others engaged in work for the government can claim — and be reimbursed for — necessary travel, meal and hospitality expenses, during the course of ordinary work. They need to follow strict rules, outlining what can be repaid with public funds and what maximum amounts can be claimed.
Expense rules are in place for the following groups:
- anyone working in a government ministry
- consultants and contractors to government
- elected officials and their staff (e.g. Cabinet Ministers, Leaders of Opposition and political staff who work for those elected officials)
- employees at provincial agencies (e.g. LCBO, Metrolinx)
- employees at designated broader public sector organizations (e.g. colleges and universities, school boards, hospitals)
- employees and appointees in Ontario Power Generation and the Independent Electricity System Operator)
The specific rules governing expenses depend on the group an individual belongs to.
Rules, laws and directives on expenses
For government employees, consultants and contractors to government, provincial agencies, and the hydro organizations:
For designated broader public sector organizations (e.g. colleges and universities, school boards, hospitals):
For Cabinet Ministers, Leaders of Opposition, Parliamentary Assistants and their staff:
- Cabinet Ministers’ and Opposition Leaders’ Expenses Review and Accountability Act, 2002
- This Act provides the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario with the authority to review the expenses of Cabinet Ministers, Opposition Leaders, Parliamentary Assistants and their staff.
- The Act was amended in 2014 to require the public posting of expense information for Cabinet Ministers, Parliamentary Assistants, Opposition Leaders and their respective staff.
- Rules on Allowable Expenses
- Rules on Public Posting
- Office of the Integrity Commissioner – information on the review of expenses
View travel expense information
Expense information for Opposition Leaders and their respective staff will be posted on a website designated by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. This link will be posted here when it is available.
View expense information for provincial agencies