Ontario spent nearly $200k in aviation-related costs for returned private jet: docs

TORONTO – Ontario taxpayers are on the hook for nearly $200,000 over Premier Doug Ford’s flip-flop on a $28.9-million private jet purchase, newly released documents from the premier’s office show.

Ford’s office confirmed on April 17 that the province bought a used 2016 Bombardier Challenger 650 jet for the premier’s use. That sparked a furor among the public, leading to a flood of messages and phone calls to Ford’s cellphone. 

Within a couple of days, Ford walked back the purchase.

A few days later, Ford told a conference held by The Globe and Mail that the province had sold the jet to Bombardier for the exact same price, promising to publicly release financial documentation on the transactions.

The documents released late Wednesday afternoon show the province, through the Minister of Natural Resources, bought and sold the jet for US$21 million. 

A Bombardier receipt shows the province first entered into the agreement to buy the jet in mid-January, when it put down US$500,000.

But the province also incurred $190,865.56 before taxes in aviation-related costs outside of the purchase and sale.

These include expenses of nearly $140,000 in aircraft management services such as maintenance, storage and servicing, as well as nearly $34,000 in outside legal counsel. The province also paid nearly $18,000 for “outside aviation acquisition support.”

A ministry briefing note says the executive aircraft purchase was finalized with Bombardier on April 15 and sold back to the aerospace manufacturer on April 27.

Opposition politicians dubbed it the “gravy plane,” an homage to Ford and his brother Rob, the late mayor of Toronto, who popularized the term “gravy train” when saying the pair would clean up Toronto City Hall more than a decade ago.

Cabinet approved the purchase of the plane, though ministers have said little when asked to explain why they supported the transaction.

Ford has long trumpeted his penny-pinching ways, such as not filing expenses, and he often talked about respecting taxpayers.

The premier’s office initially said the plane was needed for his extensive travel throughout Ontario, plus travel across the country to meet with other premiers and the prime minister as well as his increasing trips to the United States in his ongoing fight against President Donald Trump’s trade war.

His office said the reason Ford needed the plane was “to support more certain, flexible, secure and confidential travel.”

Ford’s government recently tabled legislation to take over Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on Toronto Islands to expand it to allow for jets. But the jet was set to be housed at Toronto Pearson Airport, a short drive from his home in Etobicoke.

Ford is also terrified of flying and has long complained about rough rides on single-propeller planes in northern Ontario, though most of the airports up north cannot handle a jet that size.

The jet purchase has dogged the premier for weeks. Opposition politicians and reporters have peppered him with questions over it.

Interim Liberal leader John Fraser said Ford is “out of touch with everyday Ontarians.”

“At a time when families are struggling with rising costs, the idea of spending $28.9 million on a private jet, while also racking up hundreds of thousands of dollars in holding costs, is simply indefensible,” he said on Wednesday.

“Ontarians deserve to know: why did the premier and his cabinet ever think this was a good idea?”

NDP Leader Marit Stiles said Ford was “entitled.”

“Doug Ford wants to live like a rock star on your dime,” she said in a statement. “Once again, this premier and his conservative caucus have shown the people that they have no respect for taxpayer dollars.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 13, 2026.