Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that the province has sold a used private jet that was recently purchased, for the same price it was bought.
Ford stated that Bombardier has acquired the plane for $28.9 million, which is the exact price agreed upon by the province.
The province changed its mind about buying the used Challenger 650 jet after facing criticism from opposition parties at Queen’s Park, who highlighted that this expensive purchase came during an ongoing affordability crisis affecting many Ontarians.
The premier’s office explained that officials went ahead with the purchase to assist Ford’s travel across Ontario, Canada, and the United States.
At that time, the province emphasized that the cost was much lower than what other governments have spent on similar planes. For example, Quebec invested $107 million in a fleet consisting of one used and two new Challenger 650s, while the federal government paid $753 million for six new Global 6500 jets.
Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles remarked that Ford only felt “buyer’s remorse” due to backlash following the plane’s acquisition. A few days later, Ford insisted that having the plane would have been beneficial.
“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 on Monday. “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.”
Even though he justified his need for a private plane and acknowledged past premiers had them too, Ford ultimately said he listened to what Ontarians were saying.
“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 staff to be in contact with Bombardier [to] sell it immediately at the same cost,” he said.
With files from Michael Talbot of City News
Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks with reporters before attending an event in Ottawa, Monday, April 20, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
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