No taxpayer loss on Honda project, but Ontario government jet costs linger: analyst

VIDEO: CHCH News anchor Matt Ingram spoke with political analyst and former Queen’s Park correspondent Keith Leslie about Honda Canada’s suspension of their $15-billion electric vehicle complex in Alliston, Ont., and the costs associated with Ontario’s provincial jet.

Leslie says taxpayers will not lose money based on the change of plans from Honda. But he questions the future of the Honda plant due to American tariffs on the auto industry.

Despite the suspension, Leslie doesn’t believe this to be a failure of the provincial or federal government. Rather, he points to the uncertainty surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision making – calling it a direct consequence of his policies.

Leslie believes the story of a nearly $200,000 loss on a provincial jet, revealed in government invoices, will continue to damage Premier Doug Ford’s reputation.

He says the provincial government needs to release the receipts associated with the purchase and sale of the jet.

READ MORE: Ford government invoices reveal $190,865 loss on private jet