On The Ledge

Lots to talk about on the education file in Ontario politics with the new provincial government pulling the pin on three new university campuses in the GTA. A decision to roll back Liberal labour reforms sparked protests and death threats targeting Tories And then, there is the carbon tax. The Prime Minister not only weighed in, he scheduled a photo op in Premier Ford's backyard.

Did you know the Sex Ed consultations were going on? You're not alone. We also get a hint this week of how the Ford government might be handling the issue of slot machines at horse race tracks across the province. And John Wright has some new numbers on the Premier's popularity four months after he led the Progressive Conservatives to a majority government at Queen's Park.

The Ontario legislature was quiet this week, thanks to the Thanksgiving holiday, but there was no shortage of activity at the Park. We had announcements on the cannabis file, healthcare, and more on the price of beer. (Pretty soon they'll be paying you to take the beer!) It also included some speculation on Premier Ford's political ambitions.

Here we are approaching the first 100 days for the Ford government in Ontario and the agenda continues to be dominated by commitments to undo initiatives launched by the previous Liberal government. That includes repealing a labour law that guarantees equal pay and time off for part-timers. The Health care review panel was announced - aimed at ending hallway healthcare. The Premier was also demanding the federal government take care on Ontario dairy farmers after coming to terms on a revamped trade deal with Mexico and the US.

It almost felt like a 'business as usual' week at Queen's Park - the 8th week in the legislature since the Doug Ford Tories won a majority government back in June. They managed to tick off a number of boxes - promises made-promises kept: including moves to kill the Green Energy Act, stopping the minimum wage increase and putting the brakes the Drive Clean program. But then there was the Cannabis file, plans to probe the Wynne government's handling of the finances and Doug Ford's photo with Faith Goldy.

It's been another week that's felt like a month at Queen's Park - probably because there was no real break. MPP's sat through the weekend including a Sunday midnight sitting that rolled into Monday morning trying to speed up legislation aimed at reducing the size of Toronto's City Council. The Bill included section 33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a.k.a, the Notwithstanding Clause. The outcome? The Court of Appeal ruled Wednesday that Bill 5, (the original bill) is constitutional - so no need for the Nothwithstanding Clause. That gave the Ford government the opportunity to change the channel and focus on the state of the box left behind by the Wynne Liberal government.

It's earlier than expected, but Queen's Park is back and some would say 'with a vengence'. Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions, John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications, and veteran Queen's Park journalist, Keith Leslie take their weekly look at Ontario politics from their perch "On the Ledge". The Ontario Superior Court ruling that overturned BILL 5...has been met with brute constitutional force. Premier Ford came out swinging - determined to ensure that his agenda is not going to be fussed or tinkered with by an unelected judge. The premier has invoked section 33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms - otherwise known as the Notwithstanding Clause...to follow through on his plan to reduce Toronto City Council from 47 to 25 wards.

The summer session at Queen's Park has wrapped up after five busy, if not chaotic weeks that include a long laundry list of legislative tasks accomplished by the new provincial government led by rookie MPP Doug Ford. Premier Ford faces New Democratic Leader Andrea Horwath as the leader of the Official Opposition in the legislature. They may be barely 'two sword lengths' apart in the House, but they are miles apart on what they think is best for the province. Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions, John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications, and veteran Queen's Park journalist, Keith Leslie take their weekly look at Ontario politics from their perch "On the Ledge". The "Ledge" is now in recess until September 24th. That means ON THE LEDGE will be parked while the Park isn't sitting. We will be back as soon as the session resumes. In the meantime, the fifth week in the legislature was marked by another flurry of activity as the Tories put the finishing touches on BILL 5 - which reduces Toronto's City Council from 47 to 25. The government also told us how they plan to deal with cannabis sales in October AND it would appear the Premier's team took the good advice offered in Episode 4 of On The Ledge...and taken their collective foot off the gas pedal to regroup for what will be a busy and eventful Autumn at Queen's Park..

The Writ Race has been run and Ontarians elected a new Progressive Conservative majority government on June 7, 2018 - led by rookie MPP Doug Ford. Premier Ford faces New Democratic Leader Andrea Horwath as the leader of the Official Opposition in the legislature. They may be barely 'two sword lengths' apart in the House, but they are miles apart on what they think is best for the province. Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions, John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications, and veteran Queen's Park journalist, Keith Leslie take a weekly look at Ontario politics from their perch "On the Ledge". We are almost through the Dog Days of Summer and there's no sign that the Ontario legislature is ready to take a break from it's 'rare' summer session following the June election. The Ford government has opened the valve on a fire hose of announcements and new initiatives, including an end to the York University strike, scrapping cap and trade, blowing out the Hydro One CEO as promised. But the new government has decided to take on Toronto City Council, gangs and gun violence, and a commitment to have buck-a-beer on a shelf near you by Labour Day. It's been an unprecedented and breathless approach for a cast of new MPPs (on both sides of the house) who haven't had much if any time to get settled in their new political skin. John, Keith and Dave say the Tories need to realize they won the election - stop the campaigning, (including the "round of the clap" that seems to accompany every ministerial news avail at the Park). Take a break from the Ledge and come up with a thoughtful plan on how they're going to prepare for the next 12 months of governing.

The Writ Race has been run and Ontarians elected a new Progressive Conservative majority government on June 7, 2018 - led by rookie MPP Doug Ford. Premier Ford faces New Democratic Leader Andrea Horwath as the leader of the Official Opposition in the legislature. They may be barely 'two sword lengths' apart in the House, but they are miles apart on what they think is best for the province. Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions, John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications, and veteran Queen's Park journalist, Keith Leslie take a weekly look at Ontario politics from their perch "On the Ledge". Week number three of this Queen's Park session started with fireworks in the Ledge over the Ford plan to downsize Toronto City Council. Both the Tories and NDP are convnced they're siding with the angels on this issue but who really cares about it beyond the 416 area? Meanwhile the Ford disruption continued. The government announced plans to cut the basic income pilot project, rolled back welfare payments and detailed their plans to launch a court battle against the federal carbon tax.