What to know
- Doug Ford has sold a private jet purchased by the province last week.
- The jet was a pre-owned Bombardier Challenger 650, which was sold back for $28.9 million.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has reportedly sold a private jet recently bought by the province, after heated backlash from other officials and the public.
The premier said the Bombardier Challenger 650, manufactured in Canada in 2016, purchased by the provincial government last week has been sold for $28.9 million, according to the Canadian Press.
The sale comes after the premier was heavily criticized by the public and other provincial officials for the purchase.
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The premier had previously announced his decision to sell the plane on Monday, only days after his office confirmed the purchase.
Ford said he made the decision after hearing from people in the province that it was not a good idea to buy a jet.
“I heard loud and clear from the people that this was not the time to purchase a plane, so I’ve directed provincial staff to be in contact, which they are, with Bombardier [to] sell it immediately at the same cost,” he told reporters on Monday.
“I’m the premier that listens to the people. If they don’t like something, I’m not too shy to change my mind and say, ‘OK, this isn’t the time’ and move on.”
On the other hand, Ford attempted to justify the purchase by saying the jet would be used by himself exclusively, but could also be used for other Ontario ministries. The premier also suggested the plane could be used in other situations, including by firefighters to fight wildfires across the province.
Additionally, the premier said he is the most scrutinized person in the country, pointing to Quebec, for having purchased three jets for $107 million, which is about $35.6 million per plane, and to the federal government for purchasing $753 million in jets.
“There’s no one in this country that is scrutinized more than I am,” he said. “When I do it, I get a serious double standard, and that’s my position, I have to take that.”
Ford also explained that the private plane would be used as an alternative to accommodate the travel he has to do as premier both within the province and to the U.S. as he responds to tariffs.
“I flew chartered for six years. And no premier’s ever done that…Now, what’s happening [is that] chartered, they are cancelling stops in the majority of all northern jurisdictions. They have one flight going into Thunder Bay or one flight maybe into Sudbury…So, I’ve gotta find another mode of transportation and that’s what it comes down to,” he said.
