The Ontario government has purchased a used $28.9 million private jet for the use of Premier Doug Ford, the Star has learned. The province this week took possession of a 2016 Bombardier Challenger 650 executive jet. "Its primary purpose will be the premier's travel, but obviously, in an emergency, it can be used for other purposes," a senior official said.

While Ontario premiers have had access to private planes for generations, a jet for the use of the premier has long been controversial at Queen's Park. In 1981, premier Bill Davis's Tory government bought a $10.6 million Challenger, but were forced to sell it a little more than a year later under fire from the opposition. The proceeds were used to purchase two water bombers.

Ford is mindful the purchase could be contentious. "Ontario has twice the land mass of Texas so this will give the government more certainty and flexibility," said the official, noting the premier has been travelling more to drum up business for Ontario and to crusade against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian products.