Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go.

### Your tax dollars bought a jet and now they didn't

You know, sometimes you read the news and you just have to ask, 'Are we doing this song and dance *noch einmal*?' Because that's how I felt seeing the provincial government announce, then quickly un-announce, a nearly $30 million purchase of a used private jet. Here's the thing about this region: we're good with our money. We invented the BlackBerry, for heaven's sake; we know about smart investments. So to hear about this kind of fiscal... well, I'll call it a misstep, is just a bit much.

The facts here are fairly straightforward. The Ford government, after making a big splash about selling off the old provincial jet back in 2018, decided to buy another one. A used one, mind you, for almost $30 million. Then, after what I can only imagine was a rather loud public outcry, they walked it back. Said they wouldn't be keeping it. It's like buying a new car, parking it in your driveway, and then telling everyone, "Oh, just kidding, I'm returning it." Only on a much grander, more expensive scale.

* The provincial government announced a $30 million purchase of a second-hand private jet.

* This came after they previously sold the old jet in 2018.

* After public backlash, they then reversed course, stating they would not keep the new jet.

This isn't just a Toronto story, mind you. This is a Region issue because it's our provincial tax dollars at play. When we're talking about real issues here in Kitchener-Waterloo — like the ongoing struggle for affordable housing, or the constant need for better public transit along the ION LRT line, especially east of Fairway Road — $30 million is a significant schmear of cash. It makes you wonder about priorities, doesn't it? We're building a future here, one startup at a time in the Tannery District, and we expect a sensible approach to spending.

Anja Baumann-Fong, MiTL Sports Desk.

You can catch the full discussion with the Morning Wire crew — tune in live at mornings.live.