Peter Shurman quits legislature

The Thornhill MPP who billed taxpayers almost $21,000 to rent a second home has quit. Peter Shurman was demoted as the PC finance critic earlier this year after his housing allowance claims came to light.

Since Shurman claimed a house in Niagara-on the lake as his primary residence, he was entitled to a housing allowance for his home in Toronto. Technically Shurman didn’t break any rules because the housing allowance was permitted for MPP’s who live 50 kilometres away from Queen’s Park. However, the rules have since changed so that only MPPs whose ridings are over 50 kilometres from the legislature are eligible.

Shurman said in a statement today that after considering his situation for several months, he decided it would be a mistake to continue his political career.

Photo: PeterShurman.com