On The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast

Dave Trafford and iContact Productions
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Ontario politics without the talking points. On the Ledge — Your Ontario Politics Podcast was launched as a daily podcast during the 2018 Ontario election campaign by veteran broadcaster Dave Trafford and public opinion researcher and political strategist John Wright. Former Canadian Press Queen's Park Bureau Chief, Keith Leslie joined the cast when Doug Ford was sworn in as Premier of Ontario in June of 2018. Every episode goes beyond the headlines at Queen’s Park to ask the questions that matter: What’s really driving the government’s agenda? What are the opposition parties getting right — or wrong?  What does the polling actually tell us? And what does all of it mean for the people who live and work in Ontario? From elections, budgets and political controversies to healthcare, housing, education, the economy, trade and government accountability, OTL brings context to the stories shaping Canada’s largest province. Dave, Keith and John are regularly joined by journalists, strategists, political insiders and policy experts for conversations that are informed, candid, opinionated and occasionally irreverent. No partisan cheering section. No rehearsed political spin. Just smart conversation about what’s happening, why it matters and what happens next. Welcome to On the Ledge.

  1. 5d ago

    Can Ontario’s Liberals Challenge Doug Ford? Tim Hudak Breaks Down the Political Landscape

    Tim Hudak, (former Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario and now Partner Counsel Public Affairs) joins Dave Trafford for a wide-ranging look at the political landscape as Queen’s Park prepares to return. They begin with Toronto’s seemingly indestructible bike-lane debate and the bigger issue underneath it: congestion, transit, construction and whether anyone has a coherent plan for moving people through a growing city. Hudak argues Toronto went too far with some bike lanes and weighs in on whether congestion pricing could ever find political support in Ontario. The conversation turns to the relationship between Toronto City Hall and Queen’s Park, including Doug Ford’s ability to work with politicians from different political stripes. Dave and Tim also dig into the very public dispute involving Paul Godfrey and the Ford government. Hudak sees it less as a fracture inside Ontario conservatism and more as a fight involving family. Then it’s Liberal leadership time. With Ontario’s Liberals trying to rebuild after successive election defeats, Hudak argues a healthy leadership race should be a genuine competition of ideas — and says the contest needs more passion and spark. He also offers a prediction about who could emerge as the non-Nav Bains candidate. Finally, with the legislature preparing to return, Hudak assesses the Ford government’s political energy, the impact of tariffs and Donald Trump, the emerging OSAP/career-college issue and the prospect of labour disruption in education. The episode closes on a personal note as Tim announces he’s stepping away from his regular On the Ledge appearances as his work at Council Public Affairs grows — although the door remains open for a return visit. Chapters 00:00 — Introduction: Tim Hudak Returns to the Ledge Dave welcomes Tim Hudak and sets the table for the conversation. 03:02 — Toronto’s Bike Lanes, Congestion and the Search for a Plan Is the bike-lane fight finally nearing its end? Dave and Tim tackle congestion, transit, construction coordination and the possibility of congestion pricing. 09:10 — Toronto City Hall, Queen’s Park and Doug Ford’s Pragmatism What happens to the provincial-municipal relationship regardless of who occupies the mayor’s office? 11:44 — Paul Godfrey vs. the Ford Government Hudak weighs in on the dispute involving Paul Godfrey, his son, the Skills Development Fund and Godfrey’s removal from the Order of Ontario advisory council. 15:05 — Can Ontario’s Liberals Find Their Spark? The Liberal leadership contest, the need for a competition of ideas, Hudak’s own leadership experience and his prediction about where the race could go. 21:09 — Queen’s Park Returns — and Hudak Signs Off The Ford government’s next challenges, tariffs, the OSAP/career-college issue, education labour relations and Tim’s decision to step away as a regular contributor. You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!) Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X And you can leave us a voice comment here! For more information go to Dave's website.

  2. Oct 7

    It's October 7, 2026: This WIll Make You Uncomfortable

    This is a FEED DROP special for the On the Ledge audience. This is the first episode of a new series we've developed and produced at Story Studio Network. It's called This Will Make You Uncomfortable. In the debut episode of This Will Make You Uncomfortable, you’ll meet host Brian Mirsky, a fourth generation Canadian Jew who believes that Canada's reputation for tolerance toward Jews doesn't match reality, past or present. He traces his family history from his great grandfather's flight from Belarus to his father's WWII service and firsthand witness of the liberation of Bergen Belsen, through his own experience with antisemitism in university and corporate Canada, and how a posting in France showed him how bad things can get when a country looks away.  If anything you heard made you think or make you uncomfortable, reach out to Brian at this website: www.thiswillmakeyouuncomfortable.com SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW This Will Make You Uncomfortable On Apple On Spotify You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!) Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X And you can leave us a voice comment here! For more information go to Dave's website.

    It's October 7, 2026: This WIll Make You Uncomfortable

  3. Sep 16

    What's next for the Ontario Liberal Party and Kathleen Wynne?

    This is part two of my sitdown conversation with the Honourable Kathleen Wynne.  We talk about the future of the party she led and what's in the cards for her immediate future? Ontario’s Liberal leadership race is about more than choosing a new leader. In this conversation, Kathleen argues the party needs to use the contest to demonstrate what it actually stands for — and, more importantly, what it would actually do. With the final leadership vote coming in November, she says Liberals need to move beyond criticism of Doug Ford and offer practical, understandable solutions to problems confronting Ontario. She points specifically to education, post-secondary funding, OSAP, healthcare and the reliance on agency nurses. The leadership race, she argues, provides an opportunity to position the party as a credible problem solver rather than simply an opposition voice. Kathleen draws a parallel to 2003, when Dalton McGuinty and his team developed practical responses to problems they believed had been created under the Harris government. She suggests the next Liberal leader could follow the leadership contest with some form of policy convention — taking the strongest ideas from the campaign and turning them into a broader conversation about the party’s direction. The conversation also provides an insider’s perspective on leadership campaigns themselves. Kathleen recalls the unusual challenge of debating people who are political competitors but also friends and future colleagues. Winning an internal race, she says, means eventually working with the candidates, their supporters, MPPs and riding associations — making it important to keep lines of communication open. Then the conversation becomes decidedly more personal. Kathleen explains her decision to step back from regular media commitments after decades immersed in politics and public life. She talks about family, grandchildren, teaching, aging, the demands of caregiving and her desire to be more spontaneously available to the people who matter to her. It becomes a thoughtful farewell conversation about politics, family, careers — and the costs that come with choosing where to spend our time. You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!) Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X And you can leave us a voice comment here! For more information go to Dave's website.

  4. Aug 27

    Who will blink first in the Canada-US Trade War?

    What the hell happened? Canada’s trade relationship with the United States has gone from tense to an all-out trade war.  In this special edition of On the Ledge with Dave Trafford, we trace how negotiations unravelled, how Donald Trump’s threatened 50% tariffs escalated the confrontation, and what the fallout could mean for Ontario workers, businesses and the auto sector. Monday, the war of words went nuclear, starting with Ontario Premier Doug Ford telling Newstalk 1010's Bill Carroll "(Trump) can kiss my ass). Tuesday, I drop in on the Gene Valaitis Show on 610 CKTB News, to update the latest in Doug Ford’s blunt response to Trump, the Presidents threat to rename Lake Ontario and the debate over whether Canada should retaliate with tariffs, energy, oil, potash and other strategic resources. We also discussion also examines the potentially devastating impact on businesses dependent on the U.S. market — and why Americans could ultimately pay through higher prices and scarcity. On Wednesday morning, former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne joins me for a deeper look at what she calls “uncharted waters.” We discuss Mark Carney’s decision to walk away from the negotiating table, Canadian sovereignty, national unity, Alberta separatism, the future of North American trade and the particular vulnerability of Ontario’s auto industry. Wynne also looks beyond Washington. As Canada tries to diversify its trading relationships, China presents both economic opportunity and significant strategic risk. And with U.S. midterm elections approaching, we ponder whether political change in Washington would actually bring Canada any closer to resolving the trade war. Chapters 00:00 — Introduction: How the Canada-U.S. Trade Deal Fell Apart Dave sets up a chaotic week that ended with 50% tariffs and an escalating trade war. 02:35 — Doug Ford, Donald Trump and the Politics of Retaliation Dave’s CKTB conversation examines Ford’s response, counter-tariffs, energy threats and the immediate risks to Canadian jobs and businesses. 16:58 — Kathleen Wynne: Canada Enters “Uncharted Waters” The former Ontario premier discusses political uncertainty, national unity, Mark Carney and Canada’s decision to walk away from the U.S. negotiations. 28:46 — Who Really Pays for a Canada-U.S. Trade War? Tariffs, product scarcity, American businesses and the escalating economic consequences on both sides of the border. 38:10 — Ontario’s Auto Industry Faces an Existential Threat Wynne and Trafford examine auto tariffs, plant investment, EV policy and whether manufacturing jobs could migrate south. 47:17 — China, Free Trade and What Comes Next As the North American trading relationship fractures, Canada confronts new opportunities — and risks — in China and other global markets. You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!) Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X And you can leave us a voice comment here! For more information go to Dave's website.

  5. Jul 30

    We Interrupt This Summer Recess at Queen's Park

    It's an EMERGENCY SESSION of On the Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast! This special summer edition of On the Ledge breaks from the usual hiatus to examine a turbulent stretch in Ontario politics. Dave Trafford is joined by veteran Queen's Park journalists Jessica Smith Cross (Editor-in-Chief at The Trillium) and Keith Leslie , (Former Queen's Park Bureau Chief, The Canadian Press), to assess how a series of controversies has altered the political landscape heading into the fall. The discussion explores the Ford government's mounting challenges, including the fallout from the government Gravy Plane fiasco, MPP expense claims scandal, caucus tensions, declining public approval, and an increasingly "off-brand" image for Premier Doug Ford. And then...there's the federal decision to pause Billy Bishop Airport expansion, and Ford Nation's uncoordinated response - starting with a veiled threat from the province to stop the federal plans for a high speed rail corridor between Ontario and Quebec. All this while Doug Ford's government is roundly criticized for Ontario's wildfire response or lack thereof. Emergency Preparedness Minister Jill Dunlop was ill=prepared for a recent radio interview she did on As It Happens. (It was a comms disaster that cost Dunlop's press secretary her job. LISTEN TO IT HERE)  And heading into August teacher contract negotiations are going nowhere, while the province's preparedness for AI data centres. The conversation analyzes how these stories have been covered by journalists, why they are resonating with the public, and what they could mean for Ontario politics when the Legislature returns this fall. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction & Summer Political Reset Dave Trafford welcomes Jessica Smith Cross and Keith Leslie for a special summer roundtable examining Ontario's biggest political stories. 02:05 – Expense Scandals, the "Gravy Plane" & Ford's Brand How MPP expense claims, leaked caucus memos and the government aircraft controversy have reshaped public perception of the Ford government. 23:45 – Billy Bishop Airport, Federal Pushback & Political Fallout The panel discusses Ottawa's decision to pause Billy Bishop expansion, provincial reactions, and the broader implications for federal-provincial relations. 35:30 – Wildfires, Forest Management & Emergency Response Ontario's record wildfire season, evacuation challenges, forestry policy and questions surrounding government preparedness. 51:45 – Looking Ahead to Fall Politics Teacher contract negotiations, AI data centre regulation, and the political issues likely to dominate Ontario's agenda when the Legislature returns. You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!) Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X And you can leave us a voice comment here! For more information go to Dave's website.

  6. Jun 18

    What are the REAL costs of the construction of Highway 413?

    The Ontario legislature adjourned for a five month break on June 3rd - the same day opposition parties and advocates called on the province's Financial Accountability Office to review the cost to build and operate Doug Ford's pet-project Highway 413. So far, the government has refused to offer any real details. It prompts the question: What is the Ontario government hiding about Highway 413? In this episode of On the Ledge, Dave Trafford speaks with investigative journalist Paul Webster about his years-long battle to uncover the true cost of Ontario’s proposed Highway 413 project. Webster explains how Freedom of Information requests led to a major legal confrontation with the Ontario government over land acquisition records tied to the controversial highway. The conversation digs into cabinet confidentiality claims, the role of the Information Commissioner of Ontario, and why the province is spending significant legal resources fighting disclosure requests. Webster also explores the larger implications of Highway 413 — from environmental concerns and urban sprawl to developer interests and taxpayer accountability. This episode examines:Ontario Freedom of Information lawsHighway 413 land acquisition costsGovernment transparency and accountabilityCabinet confidentiality disputesDeveloper influence and land speculationEnvironmental concerns surrounding Highway 413The legal battle between the Ontario government and the Information CommissionerIf you follow Ontario politics, infrastructure debates, environmental policy, or government accountability stories, this conversation offers an important look at one of the province’s biggest ongoing controversies. You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!) Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X And you can leave us a voice comment here! For more information go to Dave's website.

  7. Jun 11

    Ontario’s Property Tax Time Bomb - A 10-Year Policy Failure Costing Businesses Millions

    Ontario’s commercial property tax system is broken and it's costing business across the province tens of millions of dollars A YEAR. And all because of the municipal assessment policies set at Queen's Park. Premier Doug Ford knows there's a problem, yet has done nothing about it since taking office in 2018. In this episode of On the Ledge - your Ontario Politics Podcast, Dave Trafford sits down with property tax advocate Paul Sullivan to unpack the hidden consequences of Ontario’s decade-long property assessment freeze. Sullivan argues that because Ontario properties are still being assessed using 2016 values, the province has created a distorted and increasingly unfair tax system — especially for small businesses. While municipal budgets and tax rates continue to rise, the underlying assessments haven’t kept pace with dramatic changes in commercial real estate values, consumer behaviour, development pressures, and post-pandemic economic realities. The conversation breaks down how “ad valorem” taxation is supposed to work, why regular reassessments matter, and how freezing assessments has shifted disproportionate tax burdens onto local retailers, restaurants, and independent businesses. Sullivan shares findings from his analysis of more than 3,000 GTA property sales and reveals that many neighbourhood businesses are unknowingly paying thousands more in property taxes than they should. Dave and Paul also explore the broader political and economic implications: municipal dependence on property taxes, provincial reluctance to reform the system, development slowdowns, rising costs for consumers, and the erosion of trust in public finance. Despite the complexity of the issue, the discussion keeps returning to a simple question: who is really paying the price for outdated tax policy? You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!) Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X And you can leave us a voice comment here! For more information go to Dave's website.

  8. Jun 10

    Doug Ford’s Washington Snub, Trade Talks & Ontario’s LCBO Boycott

    This is a SPECIAL EDITIO of On the Ledge - you Ontario politics podcast. It's a "feed drop" from Newstalk 1010's Moore in the Morning. The politics of trade, tariffs and public space all collide in this week's roundtable . John Moore stickhandled ROUND ONE, featuring former Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak, Nexus Strategy Group CEO Marion Nader, and Story Studio Network’s Dave Trafford for a wide-ranging discussion on reports that the White House intervened to cancel meetings Premier Doug Ford had planned during his latest trip to Washington. What does it tell us about the state of Canada-U.S. relations? Is it a negotiating tactic tied to CUSMA talks, or a signal that trade discussions are entering a more difficult phase? Dave doesn't think the "snub" was hostile at all. It suggests there may be some opportunities brewing behind closed doors. The panel also examines Ford’s pledge to keep American alcohol off LCBO shelves until a trade deal is reached. Has Ontario’s boycott already changed consumer behaviour? And could Ontario wineries, breweries and local producers emerge as long-term winners regardless of how the trade dispute ends? If you want smart, informed analysis of the issues shaping Ontario politics and public policy, this episode delivers plenty to think about. You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!) Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X And you can leave us a voice comment here! For more information go to Dave's website.

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About

Ontario politics without the talking points. On the Ledge — Your Ontario Politics Podcast was launched as a daily podcast during the 2018 Ontario election campaign by veteran broadcaster Dave Trafford and public opinion researcher and political strategist John Wright. Former Canadian Press Queen's Park Bureau Chief, Keith Leslie joined the cast when Doug Ford was sworn in as Premier of Ontario in June of 2018. Every episode goes beyond the headlines at Queen’s Park to ask the questions that matter: What’s really driving the government’s agenda? What are the opposition parties getting right — or wrong?  What does the polling actually tell us? And what does all of it mean for the people who live and work in Ontario? From elections, budgets and political controversies to healthcare, housing, education, the economy, trade and government accountability, OTL brings context to the stories shaping Canada’s largest province. Dave, Keith and John are regularly joined by journalists, strategists, political insiders and policy experts for conversations that are informed, candid, opinionated and occasionally irreverent. No partisan cheering section. No rehearsed political spin. Just smart conversation about what’s happening, why it matters and what happens next. Welcome to On the Ledge.

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