Ontario government buys $28.9M private jet for Doug Ford's use
The provincial government has purchased a pre-owned private jet for $28.9 million to be used by Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
www.cbc.caHere’s the latest on Doug Ford’s private jet situation.
-
Ontario has purchased a used 2016 Bombardier Challenger 650 to be used by Premier Doug Ford, at a price around $28.9 million (taxpayer funds). The government says the aircraft will support official travel and is based at Toronto Pearson, with the purchase framed as a cost-efficient option compared with other jurisdictions’ jet programs. This development has drawn criticism from opposition parties and some commentators who term it Ford’s “gravy plane” .
-
Reactions in Canada’s media and politics:
- The Opposition and critics argue the purchase is inappropriate given economic pressures on residents, calling it excessive use of public funds for personal travel needs. Supporters emphasize the jet will improve reliability and security for official travel. Public discourse has rolled through headlines and social commentary referencing the nickname “Air Ford One” or “gravy plane.” These perspectives appear across CBC, CityNews/BlogTO, Yahoo Finance, and CTV, with each outlet noting the political fault lines in the debate .
-
Context and comparisons:
- Ontario’s jet purchase is positioned against other levels of government; for example, Quebec reportedly spent more on similar aircraft, which critics use to argue about optics and fairness. The government stresses travel needs for premier-level duties across Ontario, Canada, and beyond, though opponents question the timing and burden on taxpayers during challenging economic times .
If you’d like, I can pull the key quotes from the articles and summarize the main arguments from both sides, or create a quick timeline of how the story developed this week. I can also set up a brief pros/cons list or a simple fact sheet with the purchase details and public reactions.