On The Ledge

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". This week, we're pleased to include Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner join us for this episode. The second full week at Queen's Park started with a show of unity in the Legislature and among governments of all levels as the City of Toronto came to terms with a mass shooting on Danforth Ave late Sunday night. But by the end of the week Doug Ford went from being 'cheerleader in Chief" for Toronto to political enemy number one when he announced his plans to cut City Council in half...and he's going to do it now...in the middle of the municipal campaign.

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". Premier Ford recalled the legislature for a rare summer sitting to tackle a number of the issues the Tories have deemed to be critical. That includes passing legislation to end a months long strike at York University, repealing the provincial 'sex-ed' curriculum, cancelling the province's 'cap and trade' plans, tackling 'hallway healthcare', and ordering an audit on the provincial books. The 'git er done' attitude plays well with most Ontarians, who would appear to be willing to give the new government a chance to prove itself. The challenge of such a quick start is introducing rookie MPs into cabinet roles and scrambling to get up to speed.

Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications  take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? ELECTION DAY:It's ALL OVER! Ontario is officially FordNation. Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservatives won a majority government with 40% of the popular vote. As expected Andrea Horwath's NDP forms the Official Opposition and the Kathleen Wynne's Liberals were reduced to single digits in the legislature - winning 7 seats and losing official party status.

Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications  take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 29:There is a certain breathlessness about this final day on the campaign trail prior to voting day. Each of the party leaders playing the game trying to rallying the troops to 'get the vote out'. I compared this campaign to a marathon. Kathleen Wynne seemed to adopt the run-walk strategy - which is simply a 'finish the race' approach. Doug Ford's campaign resembled what we runners call a Fartlek: simply defined as periods of fast running intermixed with periods of slower running. Andrea Horwath ran a 'negative split' - which is finishing harder and faster than she started. But the polls haven't shifted. So unless a significant number of voters 'shift' in the next 24 hours - which is not inconceivable given the unprecedented nature of this campaign - the PCs are headed for a majority government.

Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications  take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 28: It's hard to see how the NDP can win this election. One day left in the campaign and Andrea Horwath's New Democrats remain tied with Doug Ford's PC's in the popular vote but those numbers break in favour of a Tory majority. The question is what will this new government do to manage, let alone fix, the issues that challenge this province? What opportunities will this new government make the most of to ensure economic success for the next generation? And if we are facing a generational collapse of the Ontario Liberal Party, who are the leaders who will change the channel, who will change the political rhetoric from gotcha to inspiration? Who will engage the millennial leaders to step up to offer a vision of the 21st century rather than re-litigate the problems of the 20th?

Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications  take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 27: The public is still catching up to the Liberal bombshell that was dropped on DAY 25. But the campaigns are reacting. Kathleen Wynne is focusing her attention on Toronto ridings - trying to prop up incumbents in the 416. Andrea Horwath's NDP bus made 5 stops through the GTHA. Every stop was energetic and Horwath portraying her 'likeable' character. Doug Ford only had one stop on his public campaign itinerary in Scarborough. Media managed to catch up to him at a stop in Vaughan but were barred from the 'event'.

Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications  take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 26:It's the first day of full campaigning following Kathleen Wynne's unprecedented election tactic - conceding that she as the incumbent Premier of the province will not form the next government in Ontario. In this episode, we're joined by Bob Richardson, Senior Counsel, National Public Relations, Tim Hudak, former leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party and John Wright. I spoke to all three earlier today during my Morning Radio Show on Newstalk 1010 in Toronto.

Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications  take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 25: Okay! Nobody saw that coming. Liberal leaders Kathleen Wynne admits her party's not going to win the June 7 election and the best she can hope is that voters will elect a handful of Liberals to keep the new government, under Doug Ford or Andrea Horwath, in check. It ranks as the earliest concession speech in Ontario election history! How will it change the dynamic in a very close two horse race?

Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications  take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 24: June 1st marks the beginning of Pride Month in Toronto yet, Doug Ford seems un-prepared when asked whether he will march in the Pride Parade at the end of the month. It could be a problem for him OR a decided strategy by his campaign team to keep him buttoned down and away from media scrutiny. The Ford team cancelled his appearance on the Leaders' interview segment scheduled for Monday night on CP24. Andrea Horwath is speaking directly to Liberal voters in Kathleen Wynne's riding saying it's time for everyone to acknowledge that the Liberals are not going to form government. Horwath uses the opportunity to appeal to Liberals to vote NDP to stop Ford and the PCs.

Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications  take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 23:One week until ELECTION DAY in Ontario and the only thing that appears clear is that the Liberals are highly unlikely to extend their 15 years in office at Queen's Park. This is a campaign that has essentially be driven by two things: 1) Personalities and 2) Polls. The Personalities of the leaders has proven problematic. While Andrea Horwath of the NDP may have the highest likeability rating among the top three party leaders, 74% of Ontario voters are unimpressed with their choices for Premier. Polling has dominated the headlines and the pollsters have come under more scrutiny than the party platforms or any issues facing the province.