On The Ledge
Story Studio Network, Dave Trafford and iContact Productions
The Ledge, n: slang for the legislature. Mostly used by members of the legislative press gallery. On the Ledge posts weekly when the Ontario Legislature is sitting. But there have been times when we've had to "recall" the Ledge for an emergency session to address pressing matters of Ontario politics when Queen's Park isn't sitting!Our OTL team includes former Ontario Premier, Kathleen Wynne, former Progressive Conservative Leader, (and Wynne's erstwhile parliamentary sparring partner), Tim Hudak, Queen's Park broadcast commentator Keith Leslie, John Wright, our veteran pollster and co-founding host, and Dave Trafford, Chief Executive Producer at Story Studio Network.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 13, 2021 • 28min
What kind of Canada will we vote for on September 20th?
This federal campaign has been dominated by wedge issues, personal attacks, and a disaster of a debate. Where is the vision? Where is the deep discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing Canada? Scott White, CEO and Editor in Chief at The Conversation Canada, joins John Wright and Dave Trafford in this edition of The WRIT Race.
Sep 10, 2021 • 27min
It's time to abandon campaign debates if that's the best we can do
The english federal leaders' debate was, in the words of Dana Bash, "a shit show." I heard "pundits" complaining that we always complain about the format and never focus on the substance of the debate. That's because the format is the problem. It doesn't allow for substance, let alone debate. The time has come to either overhaul the system, (take it out of the hands of the media consortium), or scrap the debates altogether.
Sep 9, 2021 • 33min
Will Trudeau run in the next election? "I don't know if he wants to" @kinsellawarren
Warren Kinsella is our guest on this edition of The Writ Race. He offers his insights on debate prep and whether, whether he wins or loses, Justin Trudeau is likely to lead the Liberals into the next election campaign. Kinsella doesn't think he wants the job anymore.
Sep 7, 2021 • 25min
Can Trudeau use the anger and violence on the campaign trail to his advantage?
On today's episode of The WRIT Race, we're joined by Laura Babcock at Power Group. In a normal campaign, we'd be focussing on the french and english consortium debates. But that's been overshadowed by the increased harassment and violence that has target the Liberal campaign. John Wright points out this coincides with slow but steady gains in the polls by the People's Party of Canada. Has this underlying anger highlighted by anti-vaccine demonstrators and opposition to the vaccine "passport" set a new dynamic for the final two weeks of the federal campaign?
Sep 5, 2021 • 15min
Getting set for DEBATE WEEK in the federal election campaign
The french and english "consortium" federal leaders' debates will be broadcast this week. Bob Pickard, Principal at Signal Leadership Communications assesses the campaign messaging and tactics as the race to election day tightens. And Nik Nanos and his Nanos Research team have been doing daily polling. Nik says we're at a point in the campaign where an issue that may not be a top priority for Canadians can shift voting preferences in some key areas of the country.
Sep 4, 2021 • 15min
Is Doug Ford Ducking for cove in Ontario and is Jagmeet Singh up to the challenge of a federal campaign?
This morning we woke up to news that Ontario Premier Doug Ford has decided to prorogue the provincial legislature. The Ledge won’t sit again until October 4th - two weeks after the federal election. Keith Leslie weighs in on Ford's strategy. And Thomas Mulcair, former leader of the Official Opposition in Ottawa, joined to assess the Labour Day effect on the national campaign.
Sep 3, 2021 • 29min
Did Erin O'Toole win the TVA debate by not losing? Anne Lagace-Dowson (@alagacedowson) weighs in
Anne Lagace-Dowson joins The Writ Race #cdnpoli #podcast to offer a view from Quebec, the morning after the first federal leaders' debate in the 2021 campaign. Did Erin O'Toole's performance move the momentum needle for the Conservatives? Did Justin Trudeau do anything that would turn the tide for his Liberal fortunes?
Sep 2, 2021 • 23min
Political parties approach women to run so they can check a box.
Erin Trafford and Amanda Galbraith join us for this special edition of The Writ Race to talk about the role women should be playing in Canadian politics. And we also explore the idea that Rural Canada is increasingly being left out of the political discussion in this country.
Sep 1, 2021 • 23min
Air games are great but who will have the ground game to Get-The-Vote-Out on September 20?
Amanda Galbraith is back! So, another F-Sharp warning is in order:) We're now half way through the federal election campaign in Canada and the latest seat modelling suggests the Liberals and the Conservatives are in a dead heat. It suggests to Amanda that the televised debates will matter. It may well make the difference in motivating voters to go to the polls.
Sep 1, 2021 • 25min
Jagmeet Singh is wasting the party building done by Layton and Mulcair.
Bob Richardson is a longtime Liberal Party organizer and strategist. He's critical of the Trudeau campaign to date but says there's still time for recovery. It will be a fight between Trudeau and Conservative leader Erin O'Toole. Bob says NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh isn't ready for prime time. Jack Layton and Thomas Mulcair did the "gut work" to put the party on solid footing. And "this guy's doing TikTok videos."
