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
May 24, 2019 • 25min
On The Ledge Week 32
It was a week away from the LEDGE for MPPs in Ontario who were spending time in their constituencies. But while they were away the pollsters decided to play. At least four polls were published during constituency week with varying results. But the overriding message is Ontarians are pushing back against Premier Doug Ford and his across the board budget cuts.
May 18, 2019 • 22min
On The Ledge - Week 31
It's the Victoria Day edition of On The Ledge. It's worth noting, Queen's Park, home of the Ontario Legislature, is Queen Victoria's Park. In this episode, the week ends with a flurry of "good news stories" for the Ford Tories. CH political analyst Keith Leslie, Dart Insights and Communications CEO John Wright and iContact Productions' Dave Trafford think it may be good news for MPPs who will be in their ridings for a constituency week.
May 13, 2019 • 23min
On The Ledge - Week 30
It's been a year since the provincial campaign kicked off in Ontario and voters kicked out the Wynne Liberals in favour of the Ford PCs. This week the Tories are convinced we need higher speed limits and the OPP needs less money. It was also a week when seniors were chased from a constituency office for staging a silent "read-in" protest.
May 6, 2019 • 25min
On The Ledge - Week 29
The Autism file has been radioactive for governments at Queen's Park. The McGuinty/Wynne Liberals fumbled badly during their fifteen year tenure. The Ford PCs followed up by over promising and stumbling out of the gate shortly after their Jun 2018 election. But there may be some good news for families and kids with autism. There's been a change of approach and a change of tone.
May 1, 2019 • 26min
On The Ledge - Week 28
First, Ontario's provincial government reduced Toronto's City Council by nearly half; after 8 months in office, the Ford government announced its own subway and rail transit plan for Toronto - including changes to projects already under way. Then, in the spring budget, Queen's Park cut public health funding for municipalities across the province. But the cuts were deeper in Toronto than other cities. It didn't sit well with Toronto Mayor John Tory and it wasn't all that well defended by provincial Health Minister Christine Elliott.
May 1, 2019 • 19min
On The Ledge - Week 27
MPPs in Ontario headed to their ridings during the Easter break after Finance Minister Vic Fedeli tabled his first budget. Reaction was delayed as key details slowly surfaced in the media. At first blush, the budget was viewed as a moderate financial plan for the province. But, as Opposition members and media dug into the details, it became apparent that the Ford government was preparing significant cuts to education, health and environmental programs.
Apr 14, 2019 • 26min
On The Ledge - Week 26
Now that the Ford government has tabled its first budget, the On the Ledge crew takes stock of the past year since Doug Ford became leader of the Ontario PCs and look ahead to what we might expect in the coming months.
Apr 7, 2019 • 25min
On The Ledge - Week 25
It's BUDGET WEEK in Ontario. Finance Minister Vic Fideli will table his first budget on April 11th. Will it show a path to balance? Will it telegraph service cuts? Job losses? The On the Ledge crew also take a look at the educations and health issues that caused a stir at the Park in the past week!
Apr 3, 2019 • 28min
On The Ledge - Week 24
In this episode, Keith Leslie, John Wright and Dave Trafford go deep on Subways;) The Ford government has made it clear the province will not only control the design, planning and building of subways in Toronto, it wants significant changes to projects that have already started.
Mar 25, 2019 • 26min
On The Ledge - Week 23
The Doug Ford government at Queen's Park has had some challenges in the early months of its mandate but there is still a great opportunity for the Tories in Ontario to be considered a "Legacy Government" - especially when it comes to Infrastructure, Transportation, Healthcare and Education. But they'll have to move quickly and boldly considering the latest approval ratings for the Premier.
