Canadian province to sell $28.9M Challenger 650 - days after purchase

Ontario is looking to sell the $28.9 million Bombardier Challenger 650 that was purchased on April 17 after public backlash. The pre-owned jet was to be used by Ontario Premier Doug Ford and was purchased directly from Bombardier. The province had been working for several months to buy the jet and had expected it to be in operation by July. There was no estimate on operating costs for the jet. The purchase was met with criticism from opposition parties and advocacy groups. "I think it's outrageous that the premier would be considering spending 30 million dollars on a luxury private plane at a time like this — when Ontarians are struggling with the price of rent, the price of food," said Opposition NDP Leader Marit Stiles. "That's the reality of most Ontarians." Opposition to the purchase referred to the Challenger as a gravy plane, as it was purchased during an extended affordability crisis, according to North Shore News. The province had defended the purchase on Friday, claiming the aircraft was to support the premier's travel across Canada and the U.S. and would not have been used for personal travel, according to CBC News. It further stated the Challenger 650 was cheaper than the $107 million Quebec allegedly paid for one used and two new Challenger 650s and the $753 million spent by the federal Canadian government for six Global 6500s. RELATED STORIES: Airbus delivers first of 30 A321XLRs to Air Canada Skyservice receives first Canadian-registered Gulfstream G500 Gulfstream G700 certified in India; Canada approves G700 and G800 Ford acknowledged the criticism in a statement Sunday and said that the province is working with Bombardier and other partners to sell the plane as quickly as possible. Back in 2019, he brushed off the idea of spending a large amount of money on an aircraft. "Despite the best of intentions, I have heard and agree that now is not the right time for the expense of a government plane," said Ford.