On The Ledge

Doug Ford’s government is facing mounting pressure — and this week on On the Ledge, the panel breaks down why the controversy around the “gravy plane,” freedom-of-information changes, and Highway 413 transparency questions just won’t go away.<br /><br />Host Dave Trafford is joined by former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, veteran pollster John Wright, and longtime Queen’s Park journalist Keith Leslie for a wide-ranging discussion about political tone, accountability, affordability, and the future of Ontario politics.<br /><br />The conversation examines Ford’s increasingly testy exchanges with reporters, the government’s effort to move the agenda back toward trade and economic issues, and whether voters are paying more attention to affordability concerns than political scandals. The panel also digs into the Ontario government’s handling of Greenbelt-related information requests and why critics keep asking one central question: <b>“What are you hiding?”</b><br /><br />Plus:<br /><ul><li>The escalating tone at Queen’s Park</li><li>Marit Stiles vs. Doug Ford</li><li>Why teacher negotiations could define the fall political season</li><li>Honda’s pause on Ontario EV investments</li><li>Whether Ontario missed its chance to build EV infrastructure properly</li><li>Nate Erskine-Smith and the Scarborough Southwest Liberal nomination battle</li><li>What Ontario Liberals still need before they can seriously challenge Ford</li></ul><br />The episode also includes a preview of an upcoming conversation about the future of education and innovative student-led learning models at Pickering College.<br /><br />Chapters<br />00:00 – Introduction and Ford’s difficult return to the spotlight<br />06:45 – Transparency fights: FOI battles, Greenbelt questions, and the “what are you hiding?” problem<br />17:05 – Schools, labour unrest, and why the fall political season could become explosive<br />27:40 – Political tone, civility, and escalating rhetoric at Queen’s Park<br />36:45 – Honda pauses EV investment and Ontario’s uncertain automotive future<br />45:25 – Scarborough Southwest nomination battle and Ontario Liberal leadership speculation<br /><br /><br /><br />You can watch OR listen to this episode on our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@davetraffordpodcasts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">YouTube Channel </a>(Be sure to subscribe!)<br /><br />Follow Dave on <a href="https://facebook.com/dave.trafford.5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/davetrafford" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-trafford-06584426/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a> and<a href="https://x.com/PodcastPWR" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> X</a><br /><br />And you can leave us a <a href="https://www.speakpipe.com/ontheledge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">voice comment here</a>!<br /><br />For more information go to <a href="https://davetrafford.com/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dave's website</a>.

It was a rough week for Ontario Premier Doug Ford.<br />His Tories are looking up at the leaderless Liberals in latest polling.<br />His tone-deaf, off brand decision to buy a jet.<br />An unhinged rant against Liberal MPP Stephanie Smyth.<br />And gutting the Freedom of Information laws paint the Premier as unaccountable and sneaky.<br /><br />This week’s On the Ledge former Premier, the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, former Ontario PC Leader and Mayor of Toronto, John Tory, veteran political commentator Keith Leslie and Toronto SUN columnist Brian Lilley join host Dave Trafford to dig into a challenging stretch for Premier Doug Fordand broader questions about the government’s direction. <br /><br />For the first time in months, the conversation on the pod has NOT been dominated by comments Premier Ford made at "an unrelated news conference". The legislature is not sitting this week and, uncharacteristically, Ford has not used the off week to make his usual podium pronouncements from various provincial locales.<br /><br />Is the premier purposefully stepping away from the media this week? Probably advisable given the comms, policy, polling and political grief he's been taking - including his decision to expropirate most of the Toronto Islands, Little Norway Park and big-foot his way into municipal politics across the province.<br /><br />It leads us to focus on his apparant  lack of vision and messaging discipline.<br /><br />With no election on the horizon, the question isn’t just what happens next. The question is whether the Ford government can reset, refocus, and recover by articulating a compelling agenda for the years ahead.<br /><br />Chapters<br />00:00 – Introduction<br />Dave Trafford introduces On the Ledge and the roundtable.<br />01:15 – Ford’s Rough Weeks and the Stephanie Smythe Fallout<br />The panel discusses Doug Ford’s apology, media blowback, and questions about political judgment.<br />04:00 – Communication Discipline and Overexposure<br />John Tory, Keith Leslie, and the panel examine why premiers get into trouble when they answer for every issue.<br />06:15 – FOI, Accountability and the Greenbelt Connection<br />The discussion turns to freedom-of-information changes and concerns about what the government may be trying to shield.<br />09:20 – Billy Bishop Airport and Toronto’s Waterfront Fight<br />The panel explores the proposed airport expansion, municipal politics, Olivia Chow, and waterfront livability.<br />19:20 – Strong Mayor Powers and Regional Governance<br />Discussion shifts to Niagara, appointed regional chairs, municipal restructuring, and democratic accountability.<br />24:30 – Ford’s Poll Slump and an Aimless Government<br />Brian Lilley’s column frames a broader debate about whether the Ford government has lost its sense of purpose.<br />28:45 – What’s the Vision for a Fourth Ford Mandate?<br />The panel looks at polling, “time for change” numbers, affordability, infrastructure, and whether Ford can reset.<br />37:30 – Taxes, Public Services and the ‘Am I Better Off?’ Test<br />Debate over Ford’s no-tax-increase record, education funding, health care, housing, and day-to-day affordability.<br />41:55 – Remote Work, Queen’s Park and Political Hypocrisy<br />The panel discusses reports that Ford worked from home after ordering public servants back to the office.<br />47:30 – Cell Phones in Schools and Education Culture<br />Brian Lilley and the panel discuss school cell phone rules, parents, teachers, and broader challenges in education.<br /><br />You can watch OR listen to this episode on our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@davetraffordpodcasts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">YouTube Channel </a>(Be sure to subscribe!)<br /><br />Follow Dave on <a href="https://facebook.com/dave.trafford.5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/davetrafford" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-trafford-06584426/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a> and<a href="https://x.com/PodcastPWR" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> X</a><br /><br />And you can leave us a <a href="https://www.speakpipe.com/ontheledge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">voice comment here</a>!<br /><br />For more information go to <a href="https://davetrafford.com/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dave's website</a>.

Host: Dave Trafford<br />Guests: John Wright (CEO, Canada Pulse Insights), Kathleen Wynne (Former Premier of Ontario), Keith Leslie (CHTV, veteran Queen’s Park observer)<br /><br />This week’s episode captures a fast-moving and volatile moment at Queen’s Park, anchored by a controversial exchange in the legislature involving Premier Doug Ford and Liberal MPP Stephanie Smythe. The panel unpacks what they describe as an inappropriate and personal attack, with discussion centering on political tone, leadership under pressure, and the broader implications for Ford’s public image.<br />Beyond the incident itself, the conversation expands into the political context driving it: backlash over the government’s now-cancelled private jet purchase, growing scrutiny around retroactive changes to freedom of information (FOI) laws, and questions about transparency—particularly tied to Greenbelt-related decisions.<br />The panel debates whether these issues represent short-term political noise or longer-term damage to the Premier’s credibility, with differing views on how much it will impact polling versus shaping a future ballot question.<br />The episode closes with a forward-looking discussion on Ontario Liberal leadership contenders, evolving opposition strategies (particularly from the NDP), and how digital campaigning and AI-driven messaging could reshape the next election cycle.<br /><br />Chapters<br /><ul><li>00:00 – Introduction &amp; Week in Flux<br />A rapidly shifting political week sets the stage, with multiple controversies colliding at Queen’s Park.</li><li>02:13 – Legislature Blow-Up &amp; Political Tone<br />Panel reacts to the Premier’s comments and the broader implications for decorum and leadership under pressure.</li><li>07:01 – Fallout, Apology Debate &amp; Leadership Optics<br />Discussion on whether the Premier crossed a line and what an apology would—or wouldn’t—fix.</li><li>14:03 – Policy Pressure: FOI, Greenbelt &amp; Governance Concerns<br />Examination of deeper structural issues driving political tension, including transparency and decision-making.</li><li>27:19 – The Jet Controversy &amp; “Gravy Plane” Politics<br />Breakdown of the failed aircraft purchase, messaging missteps, and why it resonated so strongly with the public.</li><li>49:39 – Liberal Leadership Race &amp; Opposition Strategy<br />Early candidates emerge as panel assesses the opposition’s path forward and evolving campaign tactics.</li></ul><br /><br />You can watch OR listen to this episode on our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@davetraffordpodcasts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">YouTube Channel </a>(Be sure to subscribe!)<br /><br />Follow Dave on <a href="https://facebook.com/dave.trafford.5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/davetrafford" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-trafford-06584426/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a> and<a href="https://x.com/PodcastPWR" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> X</a><br /><br />And you can leave us a <a href="https://www.speakpipe.com/ontheledge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">voice comment here</a>!<br /><br />For more information go to <a href="https://davetrafford.com/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dave's website</a>.