The Canadian province of Ontario is now selling a jet recently bought for Premier Doug Ford, after he faced criticism for the purchase of the private, pre-owned jet for C$28.9m ($21m; £15.5m).
Ford's office had said he would use it for official travel, including to the US to advocate against the Trump administration's tariffs. But after confirming the purchase on Friday, he drew flak from political opponents who called it a gravy plane and out of touch.
On Sunday, Ford said in a statement that it will be sold as quickly as possible. Despite the best of intentions, I have heard and agree that now is not the right time for the expense of a government plane, he said.
Ford said the province was working with Bombardier and other partners on the sale. The plane is a Bombardier Challenger 650 executive jet, built in Canada in 2016.
I will continue the work of building relationships with business and political leaders, both across Canada and in the United States, to fight tariffs, attract investments and create jobs for Ontario workers, he said.
Critics have been swift to paint the purchase as unnecessary. A taxpayers' advocacy group, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, said Ford should stick to flying commercial. Marit Stiles, leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party, claimed Ford only changed his mind after the heat [got] too hot. Interim Ontario Liberal Leader John Fraser accused Ford of wanting to live like a billionaire with your money. According to an Angus Reid Poll from earlier this year, Ford's support among voters hovers around 31%, reflecting some of the lowest numbers in Canada for a premier who won a rare third consecutive majority last year.
Ford's office had said he would use it for official travel, including to the US to advocate against the Trump administration's tariffs. But after confirming the purchase on Friday, he drew flak from political opponents who called it a gravy plane and out of touch.
On Sunday, Ford said in a statement that it will be sold as quickly as possible. Despite the best of intentions, I have heard and agree that now is not the right time for the expense of a government plane, he said.
Ford said the province was working with Bombardier and other partners on the sale. The plane is a Bombardier Challenger 650 executive jet, built in Canada in 2016.
I will continue the work of building relationships with business and political leaders, both across Canada and in the United States, to fight tariffs, attract investments and create jobs for Ontario workers, he said.
Critics have been swift to paint the purchase as unnecessary. A taxpayers' advocacy group, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, said Ford should stick to flying commercial. Marit Stiles, leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party, claimed Ford only changed his mind after the heat [got] too hot. Interim Ontario Liberal Leader John Fraser accused Ford of wanting to live like a billionaire with your money. According to an Angus Reid Poll from earlier this year, Ford's support among voters hovers around 31%, reflecting some of the lowest numbers in Canada for a premier who won a rare third consecutive majority last year.
