Travel expense rules and claims

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 (for example, Cabinet Ministers, Leaders of Opposition and political staff who work for those elected officials)
• employees at provincial agencies (for example, LCBO, Metrolinx)
• employees at designated broader public sector organizations (for example, 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:

• The Travel, Meal and Hospitality Expense Directive

For designated broader public sector organizations (e.g. colleges and universities, school boards, hospitals):

• Broader Public Sector Expenses Directive
• Broader Public Sector Perquisites (Perks) Directive

For Cabinet Ministers, Opposition Leaders, 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 Cabinet Ministers, Parliamentary Assistants, their respective staff, and senior government officials

Expense information for Opposition Leaders and their respective staff

Expense information for provincial agencies

View expense information for the two hydro organizations:

Expense information for Independent Electricity System Operator

Expense information for Ontario Power Generation Inc.