Ontario Liberals give Doug Ford a gag gift over private jet purchase

Ontario Liberal interim leader John Fraser gave Premier Doug Ford a mock pilot’s wings lapel pin as the legislature closed its spring session on Tuesday. The gesture was meant to criticize Ford’s purchase of a $28.9 million Challenger 650 private jet, which drew backlash over its cost and fit with his message about respecting taxpayers. Ford later sold the aircraft back to Bombardier for the same price, but the episode still left the government facing questions about about $190,000 in taxpayerfunded maintenance and storage costs. Fraser said the prank was meant to highlight the controversy, while Ford downplayed the stunt when asked about it. The gift is the latest political jab over the jet purchase, following earlier criticism from opposition parties that have tried to keep the issue in the public eye.