On The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast From Artemis to Electric Autos and the Lewis Political Legacy
Apr 2, 2026
01:01:25
Dave Trafford is joined by Kathleen Wynne, Tim Hudak, John Wright, Keith Leslie.
This episode opens with a rare moment of collective optimism as the panel reflects on the Artemis II launch and the sense of wonder it inspired—especially for younger generations.
That spirit quickly gives way to a wide-ranging political discussion, from the legacy of Stephen Lewis and the future of the federal NDP under Avi Lewis, to mounting economic anxieties tied to inflation, energy costs, and global instability.
The conversation then shifts to Ontario’s auto sector, with debate over Stellantis’ potential role in assembling Chinese electric vehicles—raising questions about jobs, supply chains, and economic sovereignty. The panel also digs into new federal-provincial housing measures aimed at reducing development costs and spurring construction, weighing whether they will meaningfully improve affordability.
Finally, will Nate Erskine-Smith be good for the Liberals at Queen's Park? The episode closes with sharp political analysis of Ontario’s Liberal leadership tensions, polling dynamics, and whether Premier Doug Ford’s high-profile leadership style is masking deeper structural challenges.
Chapters
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.
This episode opens with a rare moment of collective optimism as the panel reflects on the Artemis II launch and the sense of wonder it inspired—especially for younger generations.
That spirit quickly gives way to a wide-ranging political discussion, from the legacy of Stephen Lewis and the future of the federal NDP under Avi Lewis, to mounting economic anxieties tied to inflation, energy costs, and global instability.
The conversation then shifts to Ontario’s auto sector, with debate over Stellantis’ potential role in assembling Chinese electric vehicles—raising questions about jobs, supply chains, and economic sovereignty. The panel also digs into new federal-provincial housing measures aimed at reducing development costs and spurring construction, weighing whether they will meaningfully improve affordability.
Finally, will Nate Erskine-Smith be good for the Liberals at Queen's Park? The episode closes with sharp political analysis of Ontario’s Liberal leadership tensions, polling dynamics, and whether Premier Doug Ford’s high-profile leadership style is masking deeper structural challenges.
Chapters
- 00:00 – Introduction & Artemis II Launch Reflections
- 10:09 – Stephen Lewis Legacy & NDP Leadership Shift
- 17:20 – Economic Anxiety, EV Debate & Stellantis Controversy
- 42:18 – Housing Affordability & Government Coordination
- 54:25 – Liberal Leadership Drama & Polling Insights
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.