The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday edition that Ontario has purchased a $28.9-million private jet for Premier Doug Ford, which the government says is needed for more flexible and secure travel. The Globe's Laura Stone and Jeff Gray write that Mr. Ford's office confirmed Friday the province bought the 2016 Challenger 650, made by Bombardier. Mr. Ford recently announced plans for the province to take over the City of Toronto's stake in downtown's Billy Bishop Airport, which he wants to expand to allow for jets. The Ontario government's decision to purchase an aircraft puts it offside with many of its provincial counterparts, including Alberta and British Columbia, whose premiers fly on commercial airlines. The government defended the decision to buy the jet, saying Mr. Ford travels frequently across the country for meetings with fellow premiers and the Prime Minister. He was also recently in Texas where he flew by private chartered jet. In 1981, Conservative premier Bill Davis ignited a political firestorm when he purchased a $10.6-million Challenger jet during a recession, but eventually sold it. Mr. Ford also boasted in 2019 that he was the only Ontario Premier who didn't use private aircraft.