Ontario Government Buys $28.9M Jet for Premier's Travel Needs

Based on coverage from CBC, Global News, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, CP24, BlogTO, and Toronto Sun.

Ontario has bought a used private jet for Premier Doug Ford, a decision that is already turning into a full-blown Queen’s Park food fight about priorities, optics, and what “necessary” travel looks like in 2026.

The purchase of the Bombardier Challenger 650 jet has reignited discussions about government spending priorities, particularly in light of recent moves by the Premier to expand Billy Bishop Airport, which raised concerns about regulatory bypassing and community impact, as detailed in our previous coverage on the matter here.

Ford’s office confirmed the purchase Friday, saying the province paid $28.9 million for a pre-owned 2016 Bombardier Challenger 650. The Toronto Star first reported the deal, calling it “Air Ford One,” and the nickname has stuck.

Ontario buys $28.9M Challenger 650

The aircraft is a Bombardier Challenger 650 made in Canada in 2016. Multiple outlets describe it as a 12-seat jet with a range of about 7,400 kilometres, enough to reach much of Canada and the United States, and potentially farther afield.

The premier’s office says the jet is meant to support “more certain, flexible, secure and confidential travel.” A senior government official told the Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail that the province took possession this week after extensive mechanical checks.

That official also said the jet was previously owned by a company operating out of South America, and that the Ontario Provincial Police reviewed flight logs before the purchase. The plane is expected to carry provincial branding.

Ford government cites Ontario travel needs

Ford’s office argues the job requires frequent travel across a very large province, describing Ontario as “twice the landmass of Texas.” It also points to more travel outside Ontario, including Council of the Federation and First Ministers’ meetings, and trips to the U.S. tied to advocacy against President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

The Globe and Mail notes Ford recently travelled to Texas for a trip he framed as shoring up support for Ontario businesses and pushing back on tariffs. Reports also say Ford has used chartered private jets for some official travel, including that Texas trip.

Pearson Airport plan and Billy Bishop debate

The jet news lands alongside another politically touchy file: Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The Globe and Mail reports Ford has talked about expanding Billy Bishop to allow jets, and the Star notes the Challenger could land there if the runway were extended.

Still, Ford’s office says this aircraft will operate out of Pearson Airport, not Billy Bishop, according to a spokeswoman quoted by The Globe and Mail. Even so, the timing is fuelling speculation and criticism, especially from people already opposed to expanding island airport operations.

Opposition parties slam “gravy plane” optics

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles attacked the purchase as out of touch during a cost-of-living crunch, using the phrase “gravy plane” and saying Ford should “fly economy like the rest of us.” She also linked the spending to other complaints about Ford’s approach to health care and affordability, including her claim that “1,000 people a day are being treated in hospital hallways.”

Interim Ontario Liberal Leader John Fraser also went after the decision, saying it clashes with what people are dealing with at the grocery store and the gas pump. He questioned whether a dedicated aircraft is needed at all, suggesting chartering could be more practical and cost-effective.

Critics have also pointed to Ford’s own past comments. CTV notes that in 2019, while defending himself amid controversy over a custom OPP van, Ford said he was “the only premier in history that refuses to use the premier’s plane” and preferred driving.

How Ontario justifies the price tag

The Ford government’s defence leans hard on comparisons. The premier’s office says Ontario’s $28.9 million is “significantly less” than Quebec’s reported $107 million for one used and two new Challenger 650s, and far less than the federal government’s $753 million plan for six new Bombardier Global 6500 jets to replace an aging Royal Canadian Air Force fleet.

The political fight now is less about whether premiers travel, and more about whether buying a jet is a smart long-term tool for Ontario or a flashy expense at a moment when many Ontarians feel the province has bigger problems to solve.

Source 1 | Source 2 | Source 3 | Source 4 | Source 5 | Source 6 | Source 7