Ontario Premier Doug Ford admits that “this was not the time to purchase a plane,” as his government scrambles to try and sell off the $28.9 million private jet it bought.
On Friday, the premier’s office acknowledged it had purchased a pre-owned Bombardier Challenger 650 to transport the premier across the country and into the United States.
They argued he needed to attend key meetings with fellow premiers, the Prime Minister, and American lawmakers during the trade war with the Trump administration.
The jet was immediately dubbed the “gravy plane” by the government’s political critics, who said the price tag, along with the luxury afforded only to the premier, was an affront to Ontario residents struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
The purchase lasted barely two days in public before the government was forced to reverse course.
Speaking at an unrelated event in Ottawa, Ford broadly defended the purchase — but said he understood the backlash was too strong to keep it.
“I heard loud and clear from the people that this was not the time to purchase a plane,” he said. “I also understand the scrutiny. There’s no one in this country who’s scrutinized more than I am.”
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Ford said the government “took possession” of the plane last week — and that he hoped to resell it at the same price he bought it.
The premier then claimed there was a “double standard” in how his jet purchase had been covered that “really disturbs” him.
“I just want to explain to the people, our province is massive, I have to get to the north numerous times, there are no charter flights up in the north,” he said.
“It’s always the why, why did I do it? This was not Doug Ford’s plane. I’m going to repeat that, it was not Doug Ford’s plane. It was a government plane used by multiple ministries.”
House Leader Steve Clark said the PC Party heard a “tremendous amount from the public,” and the massive-ranging backlash was enough to convince Ford to back down.
On Sunday, Ford issued a statement saying “despite the best intentions,” he was told by voters that “now is not the right time for the expense of a government plane” and agreed to sell off the jet “as quickly as possible.”
While Clark stopped short of calling the decision a mistake, he acknowledged the government had made the wrong choice.
“No government makes it correct every time, no government is perfect,” Clark told the Ontario Legislature.
“It shows leadership when our premier recognizes that a decision needs to be changed, and he changes it.”
Still, the Ontario NDP called the decision “indefensible.”
“The Premier’s emergency landing, reselling his brand new luxury jet, is raising more questions than it has answered,” said NDP Leader Marit Stiles. “We deserve to know how every dollar was spent on this greedy scheme, including the penalties, including the resale losses.”
The official opposition tabled a motion asking the premier to personally pay for any additional costs related to the jet and to offer the public maximum transparency on the cost to “purchase, outfitting and reselling of the government’s recently purchased private jet.”
The motion, which required unanimous consent to pass, was shot down by Progressive Conservative MPPs.
Ontario Liberal interim leader John Fraser said the reversal was forced by the intensity of the response, not a realization from the government that it was a mistake.
“They defended it on Friday,” he said. “They said it was the right thing to do. It was frivolous, unnecessary, especially at a time when people are struggling in general.”
The ONLY reason you say “it’s not the time to buy a jet” is because you had your hands in the cookie jar and when the voting public found out you heard fast and hard how bad this is.
With quotes like “There’s no one in this country who’s scrutinized more than I am”,” Dougie is trying the trump pity line. With any luck, Ontarians will catch on and Dougie will be serving his last term.
The gov of Canada is behaving as governments of Balkans. What happened to the country I once knew?
There’s no money to help the disabled, veterans, retirees or struggling working class, yet millions of dollars sudden appear out of the blue when any politician wants a luxury item. Doug, take the bus. Tell Carney to set an example, too.
Wonder which of his buddies the Ford government will cut a sweet deal on a plane to? And of course “I didn’t know anything about it” will be cried when the link from point A to point B is found.
But hey, Ontario voted the clown in. They are getting exactly what they asked for.
Huge flip flop by Lard Ford. Totally embarrassing.
He needs to be removed along with the idiot(s) approving such a purchase. A thorough assessment of his spending using tax payers money needs to be investigated as well. I couldn’t even imagine what that would uncover. Devastating news. This at a time where people can barely afford to eat, pay for gas, rent, mortgages etc etc etc …. The homeless epidemic to top that off and he needs an almost $30 million dollar private jet to make travel easier for himself …. Unbelievable the world we live in today … Such a skewed sense of entitlement
He needs to be removed along with the idiot(s) approving such a purchase. A thorough assessment of his spending using tax payers money needs to be investigated as well. I couldn’t even imagine what that would uncover. Devastating news. This at a time where people can barely afford to eat, pay for gas, rent, mortgages etc etc etc …. The homeless epidemic to top that off and he needs an almost $30 million dollar private jet to make travel easier for himself …. Unbelievable the world we live in today … Such a skewed sense of entitlement this man has. He wants to live the high life while many others are wondering if they are going to be able to pay there bills or find somewhere to safe to stay for the night. Vile human being.
For those who say “well vote him out” not the answer
All of these politicians no matter their gang colours are greedy and corrupt, thats why they are there in the first place
Really, he came to that conclusion after he bought it. Come on Doug Ford, you knew exactly what you were doing. And how are we, the tax payers, going to know if he really sold it.
a couple water bomber planes would have been a better idea…..remember it is the taxpayers money that paid for it…
Ford is jealous of Trump; wants to live like him, at the cost of tax payers though. Tone deaf entitlement. Back on the porch little dog.
This guy is tone deaf, Can’t read the room. Always deflections to previous govs. We know, we’ve been paying for years. Doug, stay focused on the question(s) at hand. Unfortunately we are not going to know a lot of things with what was once public records now hidden. It’s our money (and debt) we should know how/why decision are made. Now with records sealed from past, present & future we’ll all be challenged to identify the good guys from the bad guys until it’s too late. Clean the house soon.
Seriously, what’s his underground tunnel being built for?
Anyone know?
If everyone who bitches and whines would get out and vote, these people like Ford would not be electable!!! If you don’t vote, don’t complain……