Ford defends custom van as cheaper travel
Says he’s saving money because he’s not flying in province’s planes
Premier Doug Ford said he’d rather drive around the province than fly after a New Democrat dubbed his preference in customized vans “a souped-up man cave on wheels.”
“I’m the only premier in history that refuses to use the premier’s plane, the King Air, that costs the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Ford insisted Wednesday in a testy exchange with Essex MPP Taras Natyshak.
“I prefer to drive around and talk to the people about things that matter — about creating jobs, lowering taxes, making sure we’re lowering the heating costs, lowering gas prices,” he added, claiming “we don’t have enough people for all the jobs we’ve created.”
The two King Airs are used to fly premiers, the lieutenant governor and cabinet ministers is an eight-seat, twin-engine turboprop with barely five feet of room for passengers to stand. They are operated by the natural resources ministry, which also uses them to shuttle forestry workers.
Natyshak accused Ford of “a lack of respect for taxpayers” in seeking $50,000 in customization on a passenger van, as revealed in court documents this week from a court case fighting the controversial appointment of Ford friend Ron Taverner as commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police. It is on hold pending an ethics probe into political influence in the hiring.
“The premier asked the OPP to secretly spend over $100,000 on a souped-up man cave on wheels,” the MPP said. “Can the premier explain how equipping a van with a minifridge, a 32inch television with a Blu-ray player and a leather power-reclining sofa is a cost-cutting measure for the taxpayers?”
“I requested a used van that is about one-third the cost of the regular Suburban,” Ford replied. Government House Leader Todd Smith later told reporters Ford was “simply inquiring” about getting a customized van.
Natyshak also pressed Ford on his complaints about his rotating OPP security detail, in which the premier reportedly stated “I’m getting f—ed around by the OPP and I’m getting more p—ed off.” The premier brushed aside the New Democrat’s accusations he “demanded special treatment.”