CBC Lite Sections News • Canada • Toronto Ontario government buys $28.9M private jet for Doug Ford's use Adam Carter | CBC News | Posted: April 17, 2026 1:33 PM | Last Updated: Just now Province says used jet will allow 'certain, flexible,' travel, opposition leaders dub it the 'gravy plane' Image | Ford presser Caption: The provincial government has purchased a used Challenger 650 jet to be used by Premier Doug Ford. (Evan Mitsui/CBC) (BUTTON) Load image Open image in new tab The provincial government has purchased a pre-owned private jet for $28.9 million to be used by Ontario Premier Doug Ford. The premier's office confirmed the purchase in a statement sent to CBC News Friday morning. “As part of the job of being Premier of Ontario, there is extensive travel within Ontario, a province twice the landmass of Texas," the statement reads. "This is in addition to travel across Canada for Council of the Federation and First Ministers' Meetings, which have increased in frequency, as well as travel to the United States to help make the case against President Trump’s tariffs." The province says the Bombardier Challenger 650, which was made in Canada in 2016, would allow "more certain, flexible, secure and confidential travel." A government source told CBC News the province has been working for several months to buy the plane, and they expect it to be in operation by the end of July. The plane was purchased directly from Bombardier and was previously owned by someone in South America, the source said. Ontario Provincial Police and Bombardier performed security and mechanical checks on the plane, and no upgrades were needed, according to the province. * Ontario's 2026 budget sees deficit hit $13.8B amid looming global instability * Ontario spent record $112M on taxpayer-funded advertising, auditor finds The government source could not provide a firm estimate on operating costs, and said they will fluctuate. Opposition NDP Leader Marit Stiles called the jet a "gravy plane" in a social media post Friday morning, adding that Ford should be "flying economy like the rest of us." "I think it's outrageous that the premier would be considering spending 30 million dollars on a luxury private plane at a time like this — when Ontarians are struggling with the price of rent, the price of food," Stiles said at an unrelated news conference. "That's the reality of most Ontarians." Liberals dub Ford 'tired and out of touch' Interim Liberal Leader John Fraser issued a similar statement, also using the "gravy plane" refrain, harkening back to Ford and his brother Rob Ford's repeated use of the term "gravy train" while they were serving as a councillor and mayor at Toronto City Hall, respectively. "People can’t afford groceries and gas, and Doug Ford is buying himself a private jet. That is tired and out of touch," Fraser said. "It is incredible that the Premier is so disconnected from the reality of Ontarians’ everyday lives that he could do something this tone-deaf. He should be focused on the simple things." Image | Bombardier 650 Caption: (Bombardier.com) (BUTTON) Load image Open image in new tab The NDP also issued a statement Friday morning referencing a 2019 Toronto Star story, in which Ford said he was "the only premier in history" who would prefer to drive around the province than spend taxpayer dollars flying. This was after details emerged about the camper van Ford wanted customized to his specifications at the time. * Air Canada suspends 6 routes 'no longer economically feasible' amid jet fuel cost crisis Groups outside of the opposition benches were similarly quick to denounce the provincial government's purchase. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) demanded in a statement that Ford reverse plans to spend taxpayer dollars on a private jet, noting mounting government debt. Debt servicing costs alone for Ontario were listed at $17.2 billion in this year's budget, which is more than the province is spending on post-secondary education. Image | BOMBARDIER BIZ JET FORD Caption: (Evan Mitsui/CBC) (BUTTON) Load image Open image in new tab “Instead of taking commercial flights like many premiers in this country do, Ford would rather cosplay the life of the rich and famous on taxpayers’ dime,” said Noah Jarvis, CTF Ontario director. “Ordinary taxpayers are struggling to make ends meet and Ford is making them pay for a personal jet so that he doesn’t have to wait in line at the airport like everyone else." The provincial government says the plane will not be flown for personal use. Questions about Billy Bishop airport connection NoJetsTO, a citizen group that opposes the province's plans to take over Billy Bishop airport from the city’s jurisdiction to allow jets to land at the island airport, alleged in a statement the province's move coinciding with the Challenger 650's purchase isn't "a coincidence." “For eight years Premier Ford has not said a single word about the island airport, and suddenly he’s hell bent on expand the airport to allow him to fly Gravy Plane jet from there," Chair Norm Di Pasquale said in the statement. "Ford continues to make decisions affecting Torontonians with the sole focus of him being able to get to work and his fundraisers across Ontario faster." Image | QP BUDGET DAY Caption: Opposition NDP Leader Marit Stiles condemned the jet's purchase at a news conference Friday morning. (Evan Mitsui/CBC) (BUTTON) Load image Open image in new tab Stiles, the NDP Leader, similarly said the timing seemed like "more than a coincidence." "He tried to argue that was somehow about 'competition,'" she said at the news conference, using air quotes. "I think probably it's more about him being able to land his luxury jet." The province, meanwhile, maintains the plane would fly out of Pearson airport. Bombardier's website advertises the current iteration of the Challenger 650 as having the widest cabin in its class, and combining "world-class interior design with the ultimate value proposition." The statement issued by Ford's office contrasts the price of Ontario's plane to $107 million it says Quebec paid for one used and two new Challenger 650s, and $753 million the federal government paid for six new Global 6500 jets. More Stories Like This The related links below are generated automatically based on the story you’ve just read. Loading... CBC Lite is a low-bandwidth website. To see what's new, check out our release notes. 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