Overview
- Ontario, which confirmed the deal Friday, bought a pre-owned 2016 Bombardier Challenger 650 to carry Premier Doug Ford on government trips.
- Officials say the jet enables more certain, secure and confidential travel across Ontario, Canada and the United States, and they defend the $28.9 million price as lower than recent Quebec and federal purchases.
- The 12-seat aircraft has a range of about 7,400 kilometres, passed mechanical checks before handover, and had its prior flight logs reviewed by Ontario Provincial Police.
- The plane is the second acquired for the premier since 2018, after the province sold its older King Air turboprops that once served government travel.
- NDP and Liberal leaders blasted the purchase as a 'gravy plane' tied to poor spending priorities, while advocacy group NoJetsTO alleges a link to Billy Bishop expansion plans and the premier’s office says the jet will operate from Toronto Pearson.