The government of Ontario has acquired a used Challenger 650 for CAD28.9 million Canadian dollars (USD21.2 million), primarily for executive travel by premier Doug Ford, the Toronto Star newspaper reported citing a senior official.
“Ontario has twice the land mass of Texas, so this will give the government more certainty and flexibility,” the unnamed official said, adding that the premier had been travelling more frequently to promote Ontario's business interests and oppose United States President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian exports.
This Challenger 650 is configured for up to 12 passengers and was acquired through Bombardier Business Aircraft. It previously belonged to a South American owner.
Although the identity of the jet has not been disclosed, ch-aviation research indicates that a 2016-built Challenger 650 was imported on April 7 and registered in Canada as C-FBBW (msn 6063) on April 10 under ACASS Canada.
Beyond aircraft management and charter services, ACASS Canada also handles aircraft sales and acquisitions. The aircraft has not yet been registered under the Ontario government.
The jet became active on April 15, flying between Hartford Bradley, home to a Bombardier service centre specialising in business aircraft, and Toronto Pearson.
Registered in the United States as N163JC between February 4 and April 3, the aircraft was previously registered in Brazil as PS-GSI and owned by holding company Simpar, which is listed on the São Paulo stock exchange and operates in logistics, mobility, sanitation, concessions, and financial services.
Simpar also retired a company-owned Citation XLS+ in early 2026. The holding company continues to retain a Citation Jet 3+ and an AW109 helicopter.
The acquisition marks the resumption of Bombardier business jet operations by the Ontario government after 43 years. The province previously owned a Challenger 600, acquired in 1982 under premier Bill Davis's Tory government. The purchase sparked political controversy and led to the aircraft's sale a year later.
Currently, two Ontario ministries operate government aircraft. The Ontario Ministry Of National Resources is the registered operator of nine CL-415s for wildfire supression, five DHC-2Ts and six DHC-6-300s for remote operations support, and seven Eurocopter AS350s used for sling work, surveying, and water bucketing.
The Ministry of the Solicitor General is the registered operator of a Pilatus PC-24 introduced in late 2025 as exclusively reported by ch-aviation, alongside two PC-12s, a T206 Cessna (single turboprop), and two AS350s. All aircraft are assigned to the Ontario Provincial Police, which expects to acquire three H135 Airbus Helicopters in 2026.
The Challenger 650 acquisition follows recent deals involving Canadian regional governments and the federal government. In 2020, the Quebec government placed an order with Bombardier for two brand-new Challenger 650s, value at approximately CAD107 million (USD78.4 million), both still pending delivery.
In late 2025, the Québec Government Air Service (Quebec - Service Aérien Gouvernemental) took delivery of a 2017-built Challenger 650, ordered through Bombardier in mid-2024 for CAD28 million (USD20.5 million).
Separately, the Government Of Canada, Department Of National Defence announced the acquisition of six Global 6500s valued at approximately CAD753 million (USD550 million), followed by an order for a single Global 6500 by the NRC National Research Council in early 2026 as part of a CAD900 million (USD660 million) defence package.
