Taxpayers weigh in on Ford’s purchase and rushed sale of nearly $30M private jet

Premier Doug Ford confirmed last week that his government purchased a used jet with a price tag of $29 million, a purchase that never really “took off” with Ontarians and has forced the premier to “lay over” his plan.

The reaction was swift after it was announced the Ontario government picked up a 2016 Bombardier jet, with the government saying the premier needed it for travel throughout the province and the U.S.

Ford said he is listening to the people and the jet will be sold, but the premier still says buying the jet was the right decision in the first place.

The purchase of the 10-year-old plane for nearly $30 million sparked a wave of opinions from the public. One resident said they “think that jobs are more important, and we’re out of jobs right now. People are struggling with the economy and just surviving.”

Others called it a “bad decision to begin with,” stating that the money is needed in “healthcare, education and many other things.”

“There’s lots of things to spend money on, education, healthcare, environmental concerns, housing. All sorts of issues that I think are a little bit more important than a jet for the premier,” another resident noted.

WATCH MORE: ‘I heard loud and clear’: Ford on decision to sell private jet after backlash

That said, the premier says he’s heard from a lot of taxpayers who support his decision to buy the jet. “My phone was inundated just from strangers saying keep the damn plane,” Ford said.

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles isn’t buying it, characterizing the situation as “the premier’s private jet pity party.” She said this isn’t the first time the premier tried to get himself a “swanky ride.”

“I remember when he was coming here looking for a suped up van with a Blu-ray, swivel chairs and a little mini fridge in there so he could have that luxury ride everywhere he Went,” Stiles said. “We remember that. It was his personal pleasure wagon I think we called it.”

While the premier insisted today the jet wasn’t just for him, he confirmed again it will be sold. However, taxpayers are wondering if the province will get what they paid for it.

“Whenever you buy something, it depreciates. So if you bought a brand new car and then decided to return it, you’re not going to get what you paid for it,” one person noted.

Another said it would be “interesting to see what the cost comparison would be to buying a $30 million jet versus what premiers have been doing for years.”

Ford said he stands by his decision to buy the jet, but says he should have explained the need for it a little better to the media.

WATCH MORE: Queen’s Park Observer’s Sabrina Nanji on Ford’s private jet controversy