Despite being called the ‘gravy plane’ by critics, Ontario Premier Doug Ford insisted on Monday that the private jet his government acquired, then quickly pledged to sell following public outcry, was purely for the essential tasks of managing the province.
Ford admitted it was too late to advocate for the $28.9 million aircraft but wanted to clarify his reasoning to Ontarians who were puzzled by the timing of such an expensive purchase while many are struggling financially.
He argued that the plane, a used Bombardier Challenger 650 jet, could have brought significant benefits by helping to develop northern regions and in ongoing trade disputes with the United States.
“I just want to explain to the people, our province is massive, I have to get to the north numerous times, there’s no charter flights up in the north,” he said from Ottawa. “They are cancelling stops in the majority of all northern jurisdictions … so I’ve got to find another mode of transportation, that’s what it comes down to.”
He also mentioned a recent trip to Texas for what he described as a successful trade mission.
“I have to get around, I have to go to the U. S. more … it’s part of the job,” he said.
“If I didn’t charter a plane I wouldn’t have been able to gather over $6 billion dollars of investment from Texas.”
The premier further emphasized that this plane would be utilized broadly and wasn’t just his personal aircraft.
“This was not Doug Ford’s plane, it was a government plane (to be) used by multiple ministries,” he said.
Even with his explanations regarding the private jet and noting that previous premiers had similar arrangements, Ford ultimately stated he heard feedback from Ontarians.
“I heard loud and clear, because I’m the only person in the world who gives out his cell number, and I heard loud and clear from the people that this was not the time to purchase a plane so I’ve directed my staff to contact Bombardier (to) sell it immediately at the same cost,” he said.
“I’m the premier that listens to the people,” he emphasized. “If they don’t like something, I’m not too shy to change my mind.”
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‘I’ll always be frugal’: Ford
Ford mentioned how accusations of misusing funds hit particularly hard since he’s always seen himself as careful with taxpayers’ money. “I have expensed $0 for eight years,” he maintained. “I pay for it out of my pocket.” “I’ve never promoted that, but since it’s about dollars and cents I have to tell the people of Ontario that’s what’s happening. I’ll always be frugal and respect taxpayers’ money,” he said. He also criticized media coverage as unfairly harsh compared with federal or Quebec governments which faced less scrutiny over their own private jet purchases costing much more than Ontario’s deal. “There’s no one in this country that is scrutinized more than I am,” Ford said. “I’m willing to take that.” “What really disturbs me is the inconsistency with media coverage. We have a federal government… they went out and bought $753 million [worth] of jets for ministers; rightfully so by any means – we live in a huge country – no word [from media],” he said. “When it comes to Quebec buying $107 million worth of three jets-which again makes sense considering its size-there’s no scrutiny whatsoever. But when it’s me doing something similar? It seems like there’s a double standard.” Ontario Premier Doug Ford looks on at the Daily Bread Food Bank’s spring public food sort in Toronto on Saturday, April 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan The Canadian PressSource link
