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Ontario Premier Ford Defends $28.9M Jet Purchase Amid Criticism

4/18/2026

27 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Doug Ford, Ontario Premier, confirmed the purchase of a $28.9 million pre-owned Bombardier Challenger 650 jet.
It will support travel within Ontario and to the United States.
Critics label the aircraft a 'gravy plane' because it is out of touch with the public's finances.
Ford's office defends the purchase, noting it is for government business and cheaper than similar jets.
The jet is expected to enhance travel flexibility amid trade discussions.

History

Historical Context

In 2016, the Canadian government invested $1.5 billion in Bombardier to stabilize its aerospace sector, which faced significant debt and competition from giants like Boeing and Airbus. This followed a $1 billion investment from Quebec in 2015 to protect jobs linked to the CSeries program. Doug Ford's recent $28.9 million purchase of a Bombardier jet highlights ongoing government involvement in the industry amid fiscal scrutiny.

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Story summary

Doug Ford, Ontario Premier, confirmed the purchase of a $28.9 million pre-owned Bombardier Challenger 650 jet.
It will support travel within Ontario and to the United States.
Critics label the aircraft a 'gravy plane' because it is out of touch with the public's finances.
Ford's office defends the purchase, noting it is for government business and cheaper than similar jets.
The jet is expected to enhance travel flexibility amid trade discussions.

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