Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, has launched a process to offload a pre-owned private jet purchased just days ago for Premier Doug Ford, a move that came after intense public and political criticism over the C$28.9 million ($21 million) government expenditure.
When the acquisition of the 2016 Canadian-built Bombardier Challenger 650 executive jet was first confirmed last Friday, Ford’s administration framed the purchase as a practical investment for official travel. Specifically, officials noted the jet would be used for cross-border trips to Washington D.C. and other U.S. destinations to lobby against harmful tariffs imposed during the previous Trump administration, a core policy priority for the provincial government.
But the disclosure immediately sparked widespread outrage across the political spectrum and among public advocacy groups. Political opponents swiftly labeled the aircraft a “gravy plane”, accusing Ford of being disconnected from the financial struggles of ordinary Ontario households at a time of ongoing economic pressure. By Sunday, just two days after the purchase was made public, Ford announced a reversal in a formal statement, confirming the jet would be sold “as quickly as possible” through partnerships with aircraft manufacturer Bombardier and other industry partners.
“Despite the best of intentions, I have heard and agree that now is not the right time for the expense of a government plane,” Ford said in the statement. He added that his administration would continue its core work of building cross-border relationships with business and political leaders, pushing back against unfair tariffs, attracting new private investment and creating jobs for Ontario workers, regardless of the aircraft sale.
Critics have rejected Ford’s framing of the reversal as a responsive move, arguing the U-turn only came after public anger grew unmanageable. Marit Stiles, leader of the official opposition Ontario New Democratic Party, argued Ford “only changed his mind after the heat got too hot”. In a scathing social media post, she said: “Doug Ford is turning the plane around mid-air for an emergency landing because he got caught living like a rockstar on your dime.”
Interim leader of the Ontario Liberal Party John Fraser echoed the criticism, accusing Ford of seeking to “live like a billionaire” using public funds. “Trying to buy a private jet while families are struggling says everything you need to know about Doug Ford,” Fraser wrote on social media.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation, a prominent non-partisan advocacy group that advocates for fiscal restraint, also joined the chorus of critics, urging Ford to abandon the private jet plan entirely and stick to commercial air travel for official trips.
The controversy comes at a weak moment politically for Ford, who won an unexpected third consecutive majority government in provincial elections last year. Polling data from Angus Reid released earlier this year puts Ford’s approval rating at around 31%, one of the lowest approval ratings for any sitting provincial premier in Canada.