A Conservative MPP is defending a decision to increase the rental housing allowances for Ontario legislators by around 20%.
Sylvia Jones is one of two voting members of the Board of Internal Economy that approved the increase and says it was necessary because too many MPP's have been paying out of their own pockets to subsidize housing in Toronto's hot market.
New Democrat MPP John Vanthof is the only other voting member on the board and also supported the increase due to high rental prices in the GTA.
It follows several cost-cutting measures announced by the Ford government as well as plans to scrap rent controls on new units across Ontario as part of efforts to boost the housing supply.