Doug Ford getting an almost $30M taxpayer-funded private jet and Ontario has thoughts

Doug "protect the taxpayer" Ford is taking heat over the Ontario government's purchase of a nearly $30 million private jet to shuttle the premier around, a move met with condemnation from political opponents and a mix of highly polarized opinions on social media.

The Ford government has acquired a 2016 Bombardier Challenger 650 executive jet which will be used to ferry the premier around on official business, but the provincial government's $28.9 million purchase (with taxpayer dollars) amid lean economic times is drawing intense debate.

News of the purchase has dominated Friday morning headlines, including the initial report from the Toronto Star, which playfully referred to the private jet as "Air Ford One." 

Air Ford One

Ontario buys used $28.9M private jet for Doug Ford: sources https://t.co/Kr2H3XO6q9 via @torontostar

— Philip Shaw (@Agridome) April 17, 2026

The 12-seater aircraft has also been dubbed the "gravy plane" in a comedic callback to the Ford political dynasty's famous campaign promise to stop the "gravy train." 

🚨 BREAKING 🚨
Ford's Gravy Plane

Ford spent $28.9 million taxpayer dollars to buy a jet for his private use.

Wondering why he wants jets at Billy Bishop Airport? You knew there had to be something in it for him.

It'll cost at least another $1 billion tax dollars so Ford can… https://t.co/RO3fyUW2fL

— Chris Glover (@chrisglover) April 17, 2026

A few commenters have suggested a link between Ford's plan to expand Billy Bishop Airport to accommodate jets and the province's purchase of an aircraft that would require additional runway clearance than what currently exists at the island airport. The NoJetsTO campaign, which seeks to stop the expansion of the airport, was among the voices pushing this narrative.

A legit poll on jets at the island airport, that overwhelmingly states that Torontonians want a say in the debate, which Ford is trying to steal from us so he can fly his new Gravy Plane! https://t.co/MMhS8zgh8x #topoli #onpoli

— NoJetsTO (@NoJetsTO) April 17, 2026

Others pointed out that the province's healthcare system is in desperate need of funding, and questioning the use of taxpayer resources to give the premier a more comfortable ride.

He just bought a plane! Could the money not have been used for healthcare or nursing homes for starters. Doug Ford is corrupt. I pity the reporter that’s going to ask him questions about his new purchase; he or she might be job hunting next week.

— ~Darlene 🇨🇦 🇺🇦 (@DarPeterson92) April 17, 2026

Countering the critics, a few social media users pointed out that the plane does not belong to Doug Ford and would be used by future premiers regardless of their political affiliation.

"The plane wasn't purchased for Doug Ford. It was purchase for the use of the Premier, whomever that may be," writes one user. 

Others defend the purchase as necessary for a province with a vast area and inadequate road and rail infrastructure, especially in Ontario's undeveloped northern regions, and smaller towns not served by commercial airlines.

The plane circulating in headlines Friday morning is, in fact, the second plane purchased for the premier since Ford assumed office in 2018.