Ontario Premier Doug Ford agrees to sell $21m private jet following outcry

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" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="119544" data-entity-type="organization">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. NurPhoto via Getty ImagesFord bought a pre-owned Bombardier Challenger 650Critics have been swift to paint the purchase as unnecessary. A taxpayers' advocacy group, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, said Ford should "stick to flying commercial".