The Ontario government confirmed Friday that it has purchased a pre-owned 2016 Bombardier Challenger 650 private jet for $28.9 million to support Premier Doug Ford's official travel. The aircraft, which seats up to 12 passengers and has a range of 7,400 kilometres, was previously owned by a South American company.

The province took possession of the jet this week after mechanical checks and a review of its flight logs by the Ontario Provincial Police. It will operate out of Toronto Pearson International Airport and enter service by the end of July. Officials emphasized that the plane will be used solely for legitimate government purposes and not personal travel.

Ford's office defended the purchase by highlighting the premier's extensive travel demands. "As part of the job of being Premier of Ontario, there is extensive travel within Ontario, a province twice the landmass of Texas," a spokeswoman stated. "This is in addition to travel across Canada for Council of the Federation and First Ministers' Meetings, which have increased in frequency, as well as travel to the United States to help make the case against President Trump’s tariffs." The government noted the jet provides "more certain, flexible, secure and confidential travel" compared to chartering, which the province has done previously.

The cost was described as a bargain relative to other governments. Ontario's $28.9 million outlay is "significantly less than the $107 million Quebec paid for its fleet of one pre-owned and two brand-new Challenger 650s or the $753 million the Government of Canada paid for its six new Global 6500 jets," according to officials.

Opposition leaders quickly condemned the expenditure amid Ontario's affordability challenges. NDP Leader Marit Stiles dubbed it a "gravy plane" and said Ford should "start flying economy class like the rest of us." "Ford ran on a promise to stop the gravy train only to spend millions of taxpayer dollars on his gravy plane. This is ridiculous," she added. Interim Liberal Leader John Fraser called it "tone-deaf," stating, "People can’t afford groceries and gas, and Doug Ford is buying himself a private jet."

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation also criticized the move. "Instead of taking commercial flights like many premiers in this country do, Ford would rather cosplay the life of the rich and famous on taxpayers’ dime," said Ontario director Noah Jarvis.

Previously, Ontario sold two King Air turboprop planes and relied on charters for Ford's trips, including a recent one to Texas. The purchase echoes a controversial 1981 decision under Premier Bill Davis to buy a similar jet, which was later sold amid backlash.