Ontario buys used jet worth $29M for Premier Doug Ford

Ontario taxpayers are on the hook for a $29-million used private jet for Premier Doug Ford.

The Premier’s Office confirmed today the purchase of a pre-owned 2016 Challenger 650 to meet Ford’s extensive travel schedule. The province argues the $28.9-million price tag for the Canadian-made aircraft is less than what the federal government and the province of Quebec paid for their respective fleets.

“As part of the job of being Premier of Ontario, there is extensive travel within Ontario,” the Premier’s Office said in a statement. “To support more certain, flexible, secure and confidential travel, the province purchased a pre-owned, 2016 made-in-Canada Challenger 650.”

Ford’s office added the jet is necessary for travel to Council of the Federation and First Ministers’ meetings across Canada, as well as trips to the United States to advocate against President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

However, the purchase drew immediate blowback from critics who called the expenditure unnecessary while residents struggle with affordability.

“This year, taxpayers are paying $17.2 billion in debt interest,” said Noah Jarvis, Ontario director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. “That is because the government has been overspending for years upon years.”

The purchase marks a reversal in tone for Ford. In 2019, while debating the need for a customized van, the premier told Question Period: “I’m the only premier in history that refuses to use the premier’s plane, the King Air.”

NDP Opposition Leader Marit Stiles said the purchase of a luxury jet shows the premier is “out of touch” with the current financial realities of Ontarians.

“I think the fact that he’s decided that now is the time to buy a luxury, private jet – shows you just how out of touch he is with where Ontarians are at right now,” Stiles said.

The Premier’s Office confirmed the aircraft will be based at Toronto Pearson International Airport. This follows a recent provincial announcement that Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is set for an expansion to accommodate private jets.

“I think it’s pretty excessive to buy a private jet and then buy a place just so you can park it there,” said interim Liberal Leader John Fraser.

The aircraft is expected to be operational by the end of July.

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