On The Ledge

We've lined up the Traveling Wilburys SUPER GROUP of political commentators in Ontario to dissect, discuss, analyze and scrutinize this provincial campaign. In this DAILY edition of On the Ledge - your Ontario Politics Podcast: We expect Doug Ford to run a front runner’s campaign.The Liberals and NDP appear to be alarmingly unprepared for this campaignBUT, Bonnie Crombie has finally announced where she’ll run for electionWe’re joined by our C.A.S.T. (Comms and Strategy Team) from Story Studio Network’s NOW and NEXT podcast. Brad Ross has made a career leading the communications strategies for the City of Toronto and the Toronto Transit Commission.  Lindsay Broadhead brings her comms experience and insights base on her time leading teams at the Toronto Region Board of Trade and, most recently, the Chief Communications Officer at the City of Toronto. Bob Reid applies his earned experience as a major market journalist and a Senior Advisor to the Premier of Ontario to his analysis of the communications "Touchdowns and Fumbles". Anne Marie Aikins is a "media relations maven", a sought after pundit and speaker, and a strategic comms adviser specializing in public transit in Ontario. Dave Trafford   is a “Podcast Journalist”, the Chief Executive Producer at Story Studio Network, and a Recovering News Director, (having led the news operations at Global News Toronto, Newstalk 1010 and AM640 radio in Toronto) with more than forty years of experience in Canadian media.  YOU CAN NOW LEAVE US A VOICE MESSAGE ABOUT THE SHOW! Let us know what you think. Comment on the discussion. What would you like us to talk about. Go to davetrafford.com, hit the TALK BACK button and LEAVE YOUR MESSAGE!

Here we go! This is the first of 24, Monday to Friday, daily On the Ledge podcasts.We've lined up the Traveling Wilburys SUPER GROUP of political commentators in Ontario to dissect, discuss, analyze and scrutinize this provincial campaign.The WRIT RACE has started in Ontario.Premier Doug Ford met Lt. Governor Edith Dumont at Queen's Park this afternoon and the LG agreed to dissolve the legislature as of 4pm today.Today's RoundTable includes:GERARD KENNEDY - CEO - ENTERPRISING FOR GOOD… FORMER MP PARKDALE HIGH PARK FORMER MINISTER OF EDUCATION IN ONTARIOLAURA BABCOCK - PRESIDENT AT POWERGROUP COMMUNICATIONSHOST “O SHOW’JOHN WRIGHT - OTL ORIGINALVETERAN POLLSTER

In this edition of On the Ledge - your Ontario Politics Podcast.Premier Doug Ford used the occassion of a public transit announcement in Brampton to let us know he will indeed be paying a visit to the Lt. Governor to dissolve the legislature and send the province to the polls on Thursday, February 27th.Ford insists he needs the mandate in order to spend tens of billions of dollars to fight the Donald Trump tariff threats.Dave Trafford, Kathleen Wynne, Keith Leslie and Tim Hudak debate that strategy, question the Opposition posture and discuss the timing of the election call against the backdrop of the federal leadership vacuum in Ottawa.LEAVE US A VOICE MESSAGE ABOUT THE SHOW!Use this LINK and you’ve got 90s to have your say! YOU CAN ALSO WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE Meet the OTL Front Bench. John Wright is a veteran pollster, taking the political pulse in Canada and the U.S. He's also a founding host of On the Ledge Keith Leslie is a regular contributor to CHCH News and spent more than more than half of his career at Canadian Press reporting from Queen’s Park. Keith joined On the Ledge in July, 2018. Tim Hudak brings more than two decades of experience as an MPP in Ontario and five years as the Leader of the Ontario PC Party to On the Ledge. Kathleen Wynne shares her unique perspectives as the first woman elected Premier of Ontario when she joins the crew around the table at On the Ledge. Dave Trafford is a “Podcast Journalist”, the Chief Executive Producer at Story Studio Network, and a Recovering News Director, (having led the news operations at Global News Toronto, Newstalk 1010 and AM640 radio in Toronto) with more than forty years of experience in Canadian media. He and John launched the podcast the same day the 2018 Ontario election campaign kicked off!

In this episode of 'On the Ledge,' Dave Trafford and the team dive into Ontario politics and broader Canadian issues amid evolving US-Canada relations.It's a spirited conversation covering political strategies around proposed US tariffs, the role of Canadian premiers in shaping responses, and federal leadership dynamics.The importance of unity among Canadian provinces, potential provincial elections, and insights into federal leadership races are all discussed against the backdrop of shifting political landscapes.Impact of US Tariffs: Trudeau says "There's no sugarcoating it. The incoming administration's proposed tariffs against Canada would harm Americans...."First Minister's Meeting and Trudeau's Position: Who plays the good cop? Who plays the bad cop?Meanwhile, the federal Liberals fumble their way through the leadership process to choose Justin Trudeau's replacement.AND...does this complicated politcal calculus make it harder for Doug Ford to call a snap election in Ontario?LEAVE US A VOICE MESSAGE ABOUT THE SHOW! Use this LINK and you’ve got 90s to have your say! YOU CAN ALSO WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE Meet the OTL Front Bench. John Wright is a veteran pollster, taking the political pulse in Canada and the U.S. He's also a founding host of On the Ledge.Keith Leslie is a regular contributor to CHCH News and spent more than more than half of his career at Canadian Press reporting from Queen’s Park. Keith joined On the Ledge in July, 2018. Tim Hudak brings more than two decades of experience as an MPP in Ontario and five years as the Leader of the Ontario PC Party to On the Ledge. Kathleen Wynne shares her unique perspectives as the first woman elected Premier of Ontario when she joins the crew around the table at On the Ledge. Dave Trafford is a “Podcast Journalist”, the Chief Executive Producer at Story Studio Network, and a Recovering News Director, (having led the news operations at Global News Toronto, Newstalk 1010 and AM640 radio in Toronto) with more than forty years of experience in Canadian media.He and John launched the podcast the same day the 2018 Ontario election campaign kicked off!

It was a poltical stink bomb like no other when Chrystia Freeland abrubtly resigned as Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. It sent shock waves that cross all party lines.For all the breathlees surprise, Justin Trudeau should have seen it coming! He fired Freeland mere days before she was scheduled to deliver the Fall Economic Statement. To make matters worse, he still expected her to table the FES in the Commons.The whole affair not only called Trudeau's leadership into question it also highlighted Jagmeet Singh's spinelessness as the NDP leader. On Monday, he called for Trudeau to step down. On Wednesday he told CTV's Anne Marie Mediwake it wasn't the right to time commit to voting non-confidence against the minority Liberals. Tow days later, (when nothing has changed), Singh says his party will vote to bring down Trudeau's government at the earliest opportunity.Meanwhile, Trudeau has shuffled his cabinet and, all indciations are, he's not ready to step down.YOU CAN NOW LEAVE US A VOICE MESSAGE ABOUT THE SHOW!Let us know what you think. Go to www.davetrafford.com and hit the TALKBACK button to leave us a message Meet the OTL Front Bench. John Wright is a veteran pollster, taking the political pulse in Canada and the U.S. He's also a founding host of On the Ledge.  Keith Leslie is a regular contributor to CHCH News and spent more than more than half of his career at Canadian Press reporting from Queen’s Park. Keith joined On the Ledge in July, 2018.  Tim Hudak brings more than two decades of experience as an MPP in Ontario and five years as the Leader of the Ontario PC Party to On the Ledge.  Kathleen Wynne shares her unique perspectives as the first woman elected Premier of Ontario when she joins the crew around the table at On the Ledge.  Dave Trafford is a “Podcast Journalist”, the Chief Executive Producer at Story Studio Network, and a Recovering News Director, (having led the news operations at Global News Toronto, Newstalk 1010 and AM640 radio in Toronto) with more than forty years of experience in Canadian media. He and John launched the podcast the same day the 2018 Ontario election campaign kicked off!

This is the penultimate episode of On the Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast - for 2024!There's no shortage of programs, commitments, or promises to solve the housing shortage in Ontario. So why do we have an issue? Because, you've got to build houses to eliminate the shortage AND we're just failing to get shovels in the ground and homes built.(Some great reporting and commentary on this from Ed Keenan at the Toronto Star) Meanwhile, Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie caught a good deal of attention with her land transfer exemption plan for first time home buyers and seniors. It would reduce the cost of an average home by more than $13k. The assumption is it makes it easier for younger Ontarians to enter the housing market and for seniors to downsize.AND we can't seem to get through a week lately without talking about Donald Trump and his tariff threats. This week, Premier Doug Ford says he's ready to pull the plug on Ontario power being exported into the US.YOU CAN NOW LEAVE US A VOICE MESSAGE ABOUT THE SHOW! Let us know what you think.  Go to davetrafford.com and hit the TALKBACK button to leave us a message Meet the OTL Front Bench. John Wright is a veteran pollster, taking the political pulse in Canada and the U.S. He's also a founding host of On the Ledge. Keith Leslie is a regular contributor to CHCH News and spent more than more than half of his career at Canadian Press reporting from Queen’s Park. Keith joined On the Ledge in July, 2018. Tim Hudak brings more than two decades of experience as an MPP in Ontario and five years as the Leader of the Ontario PC Party to On the Ledge. Kathleen Wynne shares her unique perspectives as the first woman elected Premier of Ontario when she joins the crew around the table at On the Ledge. Dave Trafford is a “Podcast Journalist”, the Chief Executive Producer at Story Studio Network, and a Recovering News Director, (having led the news operations at Global News Toronto, Newstalk 1010 and AM640 radio in Toronto) with more than forty years of experience in Canadian media. He and John launched the podcast the same day the 2018 Ontario election campaign kicked off!

In this week's episode of On the Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast!The Auditor General's released her 2024 report and there's a lot of red meat in it for the Opposition and the Media - but does any of the scathing criticism stick to Ford Nation?Metrolinx is a mess and it got messier this week when CEO Phil Verster called it quits. The government was clearly caught off guard when Verster gave two weeks notice. He leaves after 7 years at the helm of the transit agency with next to nothing to show for it.And we dive into the Ford Offensive on FOX. The Premier made the case for Canada on FOX News and his audience of ONE was Donald Trump.YOU CAN NOW LEAVE US A VOICE MESSAGE ABOUT THE SHOW! Let us know what you think.  Go to davetrafford.com and hit the TALKBACK button to leave us a message Meet the OTL Front Bench. John Wright is a veteran pollster, taking the political pulse in Canada and the U.S. He's also a founding host of On the Ledge. Keith Leslie is a regular contributor to CHCH News and spent more than more than half of his career at Canadian Press reporting from Queen’s Park. Keith joined On the Ledge in July, 2018. Tim Hudak brings more than two decades of experience as an MPP in Ontario and five years as the Leader of the Ontario PC Party to On the Ledge. Kathleen Wynne shares her unique perspectives as the first woman elected Premier of Ontario when she joins the crew around the table at On the Ledge. Dave Trafford is a “Podcast Journalist”, the Chief Executive Producer at Story Studio Network, and a Recovering News Director, (having led the news operations at Global News Toronto, Newstalk 1010 and AM640 radio in Toronto) with more than forty years of experience in Canadian media. He and John launched the podcast the same day the 2018 Ontario election campaign kicked off!

In this week's edition of On the Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast:We break down the epic landslide win for the Progressive Conservatives in Nova Scotia; look at the Team Canada approach to Trump's tariff threats and the need to build more nuclear power generation in Ontairo.YOU CAN NOW LEAVE US A VOICE MESSAGE ABOUT THE SHOW! Let us know what you think.  Go to davetrafford.com and hit the TALKBACK button to leave us a message Meet the OTL Front Bench. John Wright is a veteran pollster, taking the political pulse in Canada and the U.S. He's also a founding host of On the Ledge. Keith Leslie is a regular contributor to CHCH News and spent more than more than half of his career at Canadian Press reporting from Queen’s Park. Keith joined On the Ledge in July, 2018. Tim Hudak brings more than two decades of experience as an MPP in Ontario and five years as the Leader of the Ontario PC Party to On the Ledge. Kathleen Wynne shares her unique perspectives as the first woman elected Premier of Ontario when she joins the crew around the table at On the Ledge. Dave Trafford is a “Podcast Journalist”, the Chief Executive Producer at Story Studio Network, and a Recovering News Director, (having led the news operations at Global News Toronto, Newstalk 1010 and AM640 radio in Toronto) with more than forty years of experience in Canadian media. He and John launched the podcast the same day the 2018 Ontario election campaign kicked off!

In this week's edition of On the Ledge - Your Ontario Politics Podcast:We pick apart the pre-campaign-campaign-ads.Ford is right on brand and Crombie misses the point. (It's not even clear who the Liberal ad supports!) But Marit Stiles won the week with her performance in Question Period.YOU CAN NOW LEAVE US A VOICE MESSAGE ABOUT THE SHOW! Let us know what you think.  Use this LINK https://www.speakpipe.com/OnTheLedge and LEAVE YOUR MESSAGE! Meet the OTL Front Bench. John Wright is a veteran pollster, taking the political pulse in Canada and the U.S. He's also a founding host of On the Ledge. Keith Leslie is a regular contributor to CHCH News and spent more than more than half of his career at Canadian Press reporting from Queen’s Park. Keith joined On the Ledge in July, 2018. Tim Hudak brings more than two decades of experience as an MPP in Ontario and five years as the Leader of the Ontario PC Party to On the Ledge. Kathleen Wynne shares her unique perspectives as the first woman elected Premier of Ontario when she joins the crew around the table at On the Ledge. Dave Trafford is a “Podcast Journalist”, the Chief Executive Producer at Story Studio Network, and a Recovering News Director, (having led the news operations at Global News Toronto, Newstalk 1010 and AM640 radio in Toronto) with more than forty years of experience in Canadian media. He and John launched the podcast the same day the 2018 Ontario election campaign kicked off!

On the Ledge this week! Kathleen Wynne wonders why school kids are less respectful and worse behaved than we were in the day. Keith Leslie says we should all be ASHAMED of the staggering stats coming out of the 20224 Who's Hungry Report at the Daily Bread Food Bank. John Wright draws a direct line between the national immigration strategy, the static housing starts and the sharp increased use of food backs across Canada. Tim Hudak likes the idea of having the feds create an automatic income tax filing. That would help a lot of Canadians who live in poverty. AND...DT gives kudos to Bonnie Crombie for her response to the Dougie Dollars handout. YOU CAN NOW LEAVE US A VOICE MESSAGE ABOUT THE SHOW! Let us know what you think.  Use this LINK https://www.speakpipe.com/OnTheLedge and LEAVE YOUR MESSAGE! Meet the OTL Front Bench. John Wright is a veteran pollster, taking the political pulse in Canada and the U.S. He's also a founding host of On the Ledge. Keith Leslie is a regular contributor to CHCH News and spent more than more than half of his career at Canadian Press reporting from Queen’s Park. Keith joined On the Ledge in July, 2018. Tim Hudak brings more than two decades of experience as an MPP in Ontario and five years as the Leader of the Ontario PC Party to On the Ledge. Kathleen Wynne shares her unique perspectives as the first woman elected Premier of Ontario when she joins the crew around the table at On the Ledge. Dave Trafford is a “Podcast Journalist”, the Chief Executive Producer at Story Studio Network, and a Recovering News Director, (having led the news operations at Global News Toronto, Newstalk 1010 and AM640 radio in Toronto) with more than forty years of experience in Canadian media. He and John launched the podcast the same day the 2018 Ontario election campaign kicked off!