An expensive government plane quickly became a political headache in Ontario.Canadian Prime Minister Doug Ford says the province will sell a recently purchased $28.9 million private jet “as quickly as possible” after facing public and political backlash over the expensive decision.The aircraft, a Bombardier Challenger 650, was purchased for government use and is expected to enter service by the end of July. Soon after the takeover became public, however, criticism from opposition leaders and taxpayer groups grew tense.Ford acknowledged the problem in a statement on Sunday. “Despite the best intentions, I have heard and agreed that now is not the right time to spend money on government aircraft,” he said. Ontario is currently working with Bombardier and other partners to market the aircraft, he added.The province has been working on the purchase for months, according to government sources cited by CBC News. The aircraft was built in 2016 and was previously owned by South America. It underwent safety and mechanical inspections by the Ontario Provincial Police and Bombardier. Without the need for upgrades, the aircraft will provide the government with “more certainty, flexibility, security and confidentiality of travel,” officials said.But opposition leaders said the move was out of touch with reality, especially at a time when many residents are struggling with rising costs of living.John Fraser, interim leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, said the premier acted only after facing pressure. “Doug Ford didn’t see the light. He felt the heat. Now, only after the backlash, he’s scrambling to sell his gravy plane,” he said. Fraser also warned that a quick turnaround could cost taxpayers and suggested the plane could be sold at a loss but still be a financial burden.NDP Leader Marit Stiles also criticized the purchase, calling the plane a “gravy plane” and saying the prime minister should “fly economy planes like the rest of us.”The Canadian Taxpayers Federation earlier opposed the deal, citing Ontario’s growing debt. The province’s latest budget lists debt-servicing costs at $17.2 billion, exceeding spending on higher education.Ford’s office has previously defended the purchase, comparing it to higher spending by other governments, including Quebec and the federal government, on similar aircraft.
