Ontario Premier Doug Ford has agreed to sell a recently purchased private jet valued at C$28.9 million ($21 million; £15.5 million), following criticism from political opponents who called the purchase unnecessary and out of touch.
The plane, a pre-owned Bombardier Challenger 650 executive jet built in Canada in 2016, was purchased for official travel including trips to the United States to advocate against the Trump administration's tariffs. Ford's office had initially defended the purchase as necessary for his duties as premier.
On Sunday, Ford announced the plane would be sold 'as quickly as possible.' 'Despite the best of intentions, I have heard and agree that now is not the right time for the expense of a government plane,' he said in a statement. The province is working with Bombardier and other partners on the sale.
What the Right Is Saying
Ford's office had originally defended the purchase as necessary for official government business. They noted the premier would use the jet to travel across Canada and to the United States to advocate against tariffs, build relationships with business and political leaders, and attract investments to Ontario.
In his statement announcing the sale, Ford emphasized that the work of building relationships with business and political leaders would continue. 'I will continue the work of building relationships with business and political leaders, both across Canada and in the United States, to fight tariffs, attract investments and create jobs for Ontario workers,' he said.
Supporters of the premier have noted that frequent official travel requires efficiency, and that previous Ontario premiers have also used government aircraft for official business.
What the Left Is Saying
Ontario New Democratic Party leader Marit Stiles accused Ford of only reversing course after facing public criticism. 'Doug Ford is turning the plane around mid-air for an emergency landing because he got caught living like a rockstar on your dime,' she said in a social media post.
Interim Ontario Liberal Leader John Fraser was similarly critical, accusing Ford of wanting to 'live like a billionaire' with taxpayer money. 'Trying to buy a private jet while families are struggling says everything you need to know about Doug Ford,' Fraser said on social media.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation, a taxpayers' advocacy group, called for Ford to 'stick to flying commercial,' framing the purchase as an unnecessary expense at a time when Canadians are facing economic pressures.
What the Numbers Show
The jet cost C$28.9 million (approximately $21 million USD or £15.5 million). It is a Bombardier Challenger 650 executive jet manufactured in Canada in 2016.
According to an Angus Reid Poll from earlier this year, Ford's approval rating stands at approximately 31%, which polling experts have noted is among the lowest for a sitting premier in Canada. Ford won a rare third-consecutive majority government in Ontario last year.
The Bottom Line
The sale of the aircraft marks a rapid reversal for the Ford government, which confirmed the purchase on Friday only to announce the sale by Sunday. The incident highlights ongoing scrutiny of government spending priorities in Ontario, particularly at a time when economic concerns resonate with voters. Ford's polling challenges suggest the controversy could have political implications as he approaches the midpoint of his current term. The premier's office has indicated they will continue using commercial aircraft for official travel moving forward.