Ontario taxpayers are on the hook for nearly $200,000 over Premier Doug Ford’s flip-flop on a $28.9-million private jet purchase, newly released documents from the premier’s office show.

Ford’s office confirmed on April 17 that the province bought a used 2016 Bombardier Challenger 650 jet for the premier’s use. That sparked a furor among the public, leading to a flood of messages and phone calls to Ford’s cellphone. 

Within a couple of days, Ford walked back the purchase.

A few days later, Ford told a conference held by The Globe and Mail that the province had sold the jet to Bombardier for the exact same price, promising to publicly release financial documentation on the transactions.