Ontario taxpayers are facing a bill of close to $200,000 due to Premier Doug Ford’s reversal on a $28.9 million private aircraft acquisition, as per newly disclosed documents from the premier’s office. The province confirmed the purchase of a pre-owned 2016 Bombardier Challenger 650 jet for Ford’s use, which triggered public outrage and inundated Ford’s cellphone with messages and calls. Subsequently, Ford backtracked on the purchase within a few days.
Ford later announced at a conference that the jet had been sold back to Bombardier for the same price it was bought, with a commitment to release financial details on the transactions. The documents unveiled by the premier’s office revealed that the province, through the Minister of Natural Resources, acquired and sold the jet for US$21 million. The initial agreement to purchase the jet was made in mid-January, with a down payment of US$500,000. However, additional aviation-related costs totaling $190,865.56 before taxes were incurred outside of the purchase and sale.
These expenses included nearly $140,000 for aircraft management services like maintenance and storage, almost $34,000 for external legal counsel, and around $18,000 for external aviation acquisition support. A ministry briefing note disclosed that the executive aircraft purchase was concluded with Bombardier on April 15 and then sold back to the manufacturer on April 27.
The premier’s office justified the need for the plane as essential for Ford’s extensive travel within Ontario, across Canada to meet with other provincial leaders and the prime minister, and for his increasing visits to the U.S. in relation to trade issues. Opposition members criticized the purchase, with the interim Liberal leader stating that Ford is disconnected from the average Ontarian, and the NDP Leader accusing Ford of being overly entitled and wasteful with taxpayer money.