The so-called “Gravy Plane” has been grounded before it even took flight. Premier Doug Ford says he is selling the $28.9 million private jet that was recently purchased.
“Despite the best of intentions, I have heard and agree that now is not the right time for the expense of a government plane,” Ford said in a statement to CityNews on Sunday.
“The province is working with Bombardier and other partners to sell the plane as quickly as possible.”
On Friday, the government said it had purchased a used Challenger 650 jet to support the premier’s travel across the province, Canada and the United States. They noted that the purchase was cheaper than the $107 million Quebec taxpayers paid for two new Challenger jets and one used one.
The announcement was slammed by opposition parties at Queen’s Park, who pointed out that the expensive purchase came during an extended affordability crisis for many Ontarians, with New Democrat Leader Marit Stiles and interim Liberal leader John Fraser both calling the jet Ford’s “gravy plane.”
Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner demanded Ford backtrack on the purchase, as did the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
“One less jet landing on our waterfront. When it comes to Doug Ford’s bullying, wasteful spending and hiding from accountability, it’s always worth taking a stand and fighting back,” Toronto councillor Josh Matlow said in a social media post.
In 2019, Ford brushed off the idea of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a plane, opting instead for a customized van to roam the province.
“I’m the only premier in history that refuses to use the premier’s plane, the King Air, that costs the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. I prefer to drive around and talk to the people about things that matter,” Ford said at the time.
Ford, a notoriously fickle flyer with an intense fear of air travel, has chartered flights to the United States in the past when on trips to promote Ontario and he often flies within the province on smaller OPP planes.
Ontario previously operated government aircraft but sold off its fleet in 2015.
Files from The Canadian Press were used in this report