On The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast

We ALWAYS say, things may have changed since we recorded our latest episode of On the Ledge. And we usally leave it that.Not this week.Hours after posting our weekly roundtable with Kathleen Wynne, John Wright, Tim Hudak and Keith Leslie, news broke at Queen's Park - news we couldn't ignore.Ontario's Integrity Commissioner has responded to two separate complaints filed by the Opposition NDP and Liberals and has decided to launch an investigation into Labour Minister David Piccini and his handling of the controversial Skills Development Fund (SDF).Commissioner Cathryn Motherwell’s office confirmed the investigation Thursday afternoon.So, Dave Trafford sat down with Jessica Smith Cross, Editor-in-Chief at The Trillium to walk through the latest developments the story.You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and XAnd you can leave us a voice comment here!For more information go to Dave's website.

In the final episode of the year, Dave Trafford is joined by Keith Leslie, Kathleen Wynne, John Wright, and Tim Hudak for a wide-ranging, end-of-year roundtable on Ontario and national politics. The discussion opens with sharp criticism of the Ford government’s decision to extend the legislature’s recess, raising concerns about accountability, democratic health, and the loss of pre-budget scrutiny. The panel examines fallout from the Skills Development Fund controversy, including the human consequences of funding being cut to mental-health services under OPP investigation.Attention then turns to the Ford government’s major tourism and infrastructure push in Niagara Falls, including casinos, an observation wheel, airport expansion, and broader questions about branding, economic impact, and whether “Las Vegas North” makes sense for Ontario.The conversation broadens to Canada–U.S. relations after Premier Doug Ford publicly says he will not travel to Florida, prompting a pointed response from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The panel explores declining Canadian travel to the U.S., symbolism versus substance, and what it signals about shifting public sentiment.The episode closes with reflections on federal politics, Pierre Poilievre’s media performance, ongoing trade negotiations under CUSMA, and what lies ahead politically in 2026. Chapters & Timecodes00:00 – Introduction & year-end setup01:05 – Legislature extended recess & democratic accountability10:02 – Skills Development Fund fallout and mental-health impacts14:35 – Niagara Falls mega-tourism plan: promise and pitfalls28:30 – Ford vs. DeSantis: Florida travel, symbolism, and Canada–U.S. tensions50:20 – Federal politics, Poilievre, trade talks, and year-ahead outlookYou can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and XAnd you can leave us a voice comment here!For more information go to Dave's website.

This episode finds the ON THE LEDGE panel assessing Ontario politics as the legislature heads into an unusually long nine-week winter recess. Dave Trafford is joined by political analyst Keith Leslie, former premier Kathleen Wynne, pollster John Wright, and Toronto Sun columnist Brian Lilley for a wide-ranging conversation about a government under strain, an opposition struggling to connect, and a public increasingly fatigued by political noise.The panel digs into the Ford government’s limited sitting days, its retail-style governing approach, and the widening fallout from the Skills Development Fund scandal—now under OPP investigation. They examine why concerns about transparency and favoritism are sticking with voters, including Conservative supporters, and debate whether a cabinet shuffle, structural reform, or strategic reset is needed to rebuild credibility.Healthcare dominates much of the discussion, especially the Ford government’s plan to expand private clinics for hip and knee surgeries. Panelists question the province’s long-term capacity to meet demand, the risk of draining talent from the public system, and the absence of a coherent strategy for primary and geriatric care.The episode wraps with a frustrated look at Ontario’s transit saga—from the Finch LRT's early shutdowns to the endlessly delayed Eglinton Crosstown, now pushed to 2026. The panel considers whether public-private partnerships are failing large transit builds, and what systemic lessons have yet to be learned.Chapters & Timecodes00:00 – Introduction & Final Sitting Day01:00 – Legislature’s Short Calendar & Governing Priorities04:20 – Skills Development Fund Scandal & Political Impact10:45 – Healthcare Capacity, Private Clinics & System Pressures22:30 – OPP Investigation, Public Trust & Opposition Dynamics32:00 – Transit Failures: Crosstown, Finch LRT & PPP LessonsYou can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and XAnd you can leave us a voice comment here!For more information go to Dave's website.

This week on On the Ledge, Dave Trafford is joined by Keith Leslie, John Wright, Tim Hudak, and Kathleen Wynne for a wide-ranging conversation centred on the Ontario Auditor General’s annual report.The panel digs deeply into the issues revealed around Ontario’s healthcare system—particularly physician billing, outdated OHIP technology, primary-care shortages, administrative burdens, and the lack of coherent province-wide planning for family medicine.They explore systemic breakdowns highlighted in the AG’s findings, including mismanaged PPE procurement and expired stock, and reflect on long-standing structural weaknesses governments have failed to address since SARS and COVID-19.The group also examines the demographic “time bomb” facing the healthcare system, the looming retirement wave among physicians, and the fiscal implications of an aging population. They debate partisan advertising thresholds after the AG flagged government-funded promotional campaigns, and they consider governance issues within Ontario’s regulatory bodies in light of the Ricoh/IPRO real estate scandal.The episode closes with a discussion on EQAO results, support for teachers, and the political risks surrounding potential reforms to Ontario’s school boards.CHAPTERS & TIMECODES00:00 – Introduction & Around the Table Opening of the show; panel check-in; light conversation about dogs, calendars, and family stories.03:00 – Auditor General’s Healthcare Findings Discussion of physician billing outliers, lack of accountability, antiquated OHIP billing technology, administrative burdens, and the failure to modernize systems.12:00 – Primary Care Shortages & Medical Education Gaps Panel examines the AG’s concerns about family-doctor shortages, insufficient planning for medical-school seats, and the undervaluing of primary-care physicians.16:00 – PPE Waste, Procurement Failures & COVID Lessons Not Learned Review of $1.4B in written-off PPE, expired stock, supply-chain mismanagement, and recurring systemic gaps dating back to SARS.21:00 – Demographic Reckoning & Long-Term Healthcare Pressures Aging population, long-term care demands, fiscal strain, infrastructure needs, and the political challenges of preparing for 2035–2041.26:00 – Government Advertising, Partisanship & Oversight Debate over the AG’s findings on $112M in government ads, non-partisan rules, auditor oversight, and the need for clearer safeguards.35:00 – Real Estate Regulation Crisis: Ricoh & the IPRO Scandal Why the minister dissolved the Ricoh board, trust-fund failures, regulatory breakdowns and the first-ever appointment of an administrator.41:00 – EQAO Results, Curriculum Pressures & Speculation on School Board Reform Discussion on rising but insufficient test scores, lack of teacher support for new curriculum, and hints of major governance changes ahead.You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and XAnd you can leave us a voice comment here!For more information go to Dave's website.

Host: Dave TraffordGuests: Kathleen Wynne, Tim Hudak, John Wright, Vicki, Keith LeslieIn this wide-ranging conversation, the roundtable begins with a deeply personal and moving story from Tim Hudak about his daughter Miller’s extraordinary journey overcoming apraxia, culminating in her powerful return to Loretto Abbey as an honour-roll speaker. That message of courage and kindness threads into a broader discussion about the need for compassion in politics—something panelists say is sorely lacking across jurisdictions.The episode then shifts to the week’s major policy stories: the Beer Store’s proposed return-to-empties “solution,” why it fails to address convenience and recycling realities, and how closing beer stores is reshaping neighborhood waste streams. The panel breaks down the Ford government’s response, the LCBO’s absence in the system, and why most consumers’ habits make the proposed changes unworkable.The group also analyzes the uproar over Bill 60 protests at Queen’s Park, the Premier’s controversial “get a job” remark, and what it reveals about government defensiveness, public frustration, and eroding legislative process. From there, the conversation widens to major national developments: pipeline politics, inter-provincial tensions, First Nations relationships, big-project approvals, and whether Ottawa’s sudden urgency reflects a shifting federal strategy.The show closes with a sharp look at healthcare realities—funding pressures, demographic waves, operational failures, and the growing debate over what a sustainable system actually looks like.Chapters & Timecodes00:00 – Introduction & Opening NotesFundraising success for St. Clare Inn; introductions around the table.02:40 – Tim Hudak’s Story: Miller’s Journey & A Call for KindnessTim shares an emotional account of his daughter’s perseverance, sparking a discussion about compassion in politics and society.14:00 – Kindness, Compassion & Political CulturePanel reflects on political polarization, U.S. border policies, and the erosion of empathy in public life.15:30 – The Beer Store Deal: Why It’s No DealReaction to beer stores agreeing to take empties back; consumer inconvenience; LCBO’s absence; Lions Club bottle-drive model; recycling system strain.26:00 – Bill 60 Protests, Legislative Tension & “Get a Job”Premier Ford’s remark to protesters, protester removal, and broader concerns about shrinking public consultation and legislative transparency.36:00 – Big Projects, Pipelines & Federal–Provincial AlignmentRing of Fire, Manitoba pipeline MOU, U.S. tariffs, Indigenous consultation challenges, and Ottawa’s accelerated pace on major files.53:00 – Healthcare Reckoning: The Jalopy ArgumentPrivate vs. public tensions, demographic pressures, chronic-care gaps, funding models, and what reforms will actually be required.FULL TRANSCRIPTYou can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and XAnd you can leave us a voice comment here!For more information go to Dave's website.

This week on On The Ledge, Dave Trafford, Kathleen Wynne, and Tim Hudak dive into a true curbside controversy: the disappearance of local Beer Stores has pushed mountains of bottles into blue bins—and Ontarians want to know why the LCBO isn’t taking responsibility. With Beer Stores closing and grocery stores refusing bottle returns, residents are losing deposits, recycling systems are strained, and small retailers are being asked to handle a volume they can’t manage. Wynne calls the situation “unnecessary grief” caused by rushed alcohol-expansion policy with “no planning,” while Hudak argues the LCBO should be part of the solution since it distributes the majority of alcohol containers.The conversation deepens into the broader failures of Ontario’s recycling and blue box programs, the lack of coordinated environmental strategy, and the incentives required to rebuild a functioning return system. The panel also reflects on the unintended social impacts—from people collecting bottles for survival to community bottle drives stepping in to fill the gap.From there, the group explores the latest drama at Queen’s Park: NDP Leader Marit Stiles being ejected from the Legislature, political tactics in Question Period, and evolving public sentiment around the Skills Development Fund scandal. The episode closes with a look at proposed legislation on sex offender registry access, impaired-driving child-support obligations, and shifting conversations about public vs. private healthcare delivery.Chapters & Timecodes00:00 – Introduction & Opening Banter02:00 – Ontario’s Bottle-Return Breakdown & LCBO Accountability09:00 – Recycling System Failures, Incentives & Environmental Planning14:00 – Social Impact: Bottle Collectors, Community Drives & Lost Deposits15:00 – Marit Stiles Ejection, Legislature Tactics & the Skills Development Fund34:00 – Sex Offender Registry Proposal, Impaired-Driving Liability & Healthcare DebateTRANSCRIPTYou can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and XAnd you can leave us a voice comment here!For more information go to Dave's website.

Host: Dave TraffordGuests:• Tim Hudak – Partner, Counsel Public Affairs; former Ontario PC Leader• Keith Leslie – Political Commentator, CH Television• Kathleen Wynne – Former Premier of OntarioOn this week’s episode of On the Ledge, Dave Trafford and the panel dig into what was supposed to be a quiet off-week at Queen’s Park — only to discover a flood of political controversies and policy battles.The conversation begins with birthday celebrations for Neil Young and Trafford’s grandson, before pivoting to the expanding scandal tied to the Skills Development Fund. The panel dissects the province’s revelation that a 2023 forensic audit uncovered accounting “irregularities,” now referred to the OPP, and what this means for Labour Minister David Piccini and Premier Ford’s cabinet stability.The group then unpacks the Fall Economic Statement, debating the government’s messaging around deficits, tariffs, and investments — and whether Ontario's spending priorities fail to address critical pressures in education, post-secondary institutions, and climate policy. A detailed discussion follows on the province’s renewed push for a $9.1-million feasibility study for a 401 tunnel, alongside broader questions about the Ring of Fire, Indigenous partnerships, and the massive infrastructure challenges facing Northern Ontario.Rounding out the episode, the panel tackles the Ford government’s moves on education governance and conservation authorities. With Bill 33 centralizing power the roundtable questions transparency, local accountability, and the government’s growing pattern of sidelining community-based institutions.Chapters & Timecodes00:00 – Introduction & Neil Young’s 80th BirthdayLighthearted opening, birthdays, and memories.03:15 – Skills Development Fund Scandal EscalatesAudit “irregularities,” OPP referral, political fallout, and cabinet risks.10:00 – Fall Economic Statement & Ontario’s Fiscal OutlookDeficits, tariffs, spending priorities, and sector impacts.18:35 – 401 Tunnel Feasibility & Major Infrastructure Projects$9.1M study, withheld earlier reports, and unrealized investments.24:40 – Ring of Fire, Indigenous Partnerships & Northern DevelopmentEconomic potential, social challenges, road access, and equity stakes.41:00 – Education Governance, Streaming Bans & Bill 33School board powers, parental access, centralization of authority.47:00 – Conservation Authorities & Local Decision-MakingCuts from 36 to 7 authorities, mandate concerns, process questions.54:00 – Closing Notes & What’s Ahead at Queen’s ParkTRANSCRIPTYou can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and XAnd you can leave us a voice comment here!For more information go to Dave's website.

Host: Dave TraffordGuests: Kathleen Wynne (former Ontario Premier), Tim Hudak (Partner, Counsel Public Affairs; former Ontario PC Leader), Keith Leslie (Political Analyst, CHCH), John Wright (CEO, Canada Pulse Insights)In this week’s episode, Dave Trafford and the On The Ledge panel unpack the political and policy fallout from Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first federal budget—and the Ford government’s deepening Skills Development Fund scandal.Kathleen Wynne argues that Carney’s budget, while understated, delivers transformative long-term investments in infrastructure and economic development.Tim Hudak says the budget “shows trees, but no forest,” lacking a unifying vision for the post-tariff economy.Keith Leslie calls it a gamble on private-sector confidence, while John Wright warns the government’s narrative is missing “a political bone” to connect with struggling Canadians.Then, the panel reacts to The Trillium’s explosive reporting on the Skills Development Fund—a $10-million grant linked to a venue now licensed as a strip club.Journalist guests Jessica Smith Cross and Charlie Pinkerton explain how their investigative work exposed a pattern of questionable grants and Tory-connected recipients. The group debates Minister David Piccini’s future, Premier Ford’s handling of the controversy, and the broader question of accountability and cronyism at Queen’s Park.From the budget’s muted ambitions to a political scandal with burlesque undertones, this episode captures an Ontario government under siege—caught between defending its process and salvaging its credibility.Chapters & Timecodes00:00 – Introduction & Panel Welcome02:00 – Reactions to the Carney Budget14:00 – Ottawa vs. Queen’s Park: Competing Narratives33:00 – The Floor Crossing Fallout43:00 – The Skills Development Fund Scandal: The Trillium’s Reporting1:08:00 – Political Consequences & Closing ThoughtsYou can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and XAnd you can leave us a voice comment here!For more information go to Dave's website.

October 29, 2025Host: Dave TraffordGuests: Kathleen Wynne, John Wright, Keith LeslieFeatured Interview: Neil Hetherington, CEO, Daily Bread Food BankIn this wide-ranging roundtable, Dave Trafford is joined by former Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne, pollster John Wright, and journalist Keith Leslie to unpack a week of political turbulence—from Premier Doug Ford’s Reagan-themed U.S. trade ad and the resulting tariff tantrum from Washington, to the Ontario government’s omnibus legislation blitz at Queen’s Park.The panel explores how Ford’s “Captain Canada” messaging has inflamed an already volatile Canada–U.S. trade climate and whether Ottawa and Queen’s Park are working from the same playbook. Wynne argues for federal-provincial coordination; Wright warns about “freelancing premiers”; and Leslie questions the political wisdom of running ads that “poke the bear” during the World Series.Later, the discussion turns to Ontario’s new omnibus bills—from scrapping speed cameras to raising political donation limits—provoking questions about transparency, committee work, and the government’s appetite for real debate.In the second half, Dave sits down with Neil Hetherington of the Daily Bread Food Bank to dissect this year’s Who’s Hungry report: food-bank visits in Toronto have hit 4.1 million, a 340 percent increase since 2019, with one in ten Torontonians relying on food banks. The panel weighs policy failures, stagnant wages, and corporate responsibility amid record profits.They close by reflecting on poverty as an economic indicator and the political will required to address it—while predicting that both trade tensions and food insecurity will worsen before they improve.Chapters00:00 – Introduction – Dave sets the agenda: trade, tariffs, legislation, and hunger02:00 – Ford’s U.S. ad and the tariff fallout09:45 – Ottawa’s silence and the coordination gap20:00 – Inside Queen’s Park: Omnibus politics and missed debate37:00 – Neil Hetherington on Toronto’s hunger crisis53:00 – Policy, poverty, and political accountabilityYou can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and XAnd you can leave us a voice comment here!For more information go to Dave's website.

We recorded this week's show about 12 hours before Donald Trump flew off his social media handle and trashed the Canada-US trade talks because of Ontario's anti-tariff ads running on US networks.For the sake of context this version of this week's show...includes commentary around Trump's antics and what Doug Ford may...or may not do about it.Otherwise...here's the show.ON THE LEDGE – YOUR ONTARIO POLITICS PODCASTHost: Dave TraffordGuests: Keith Leslie (CH Television), Tim Hudak (Partner, Counsel Public Affairs; former Ontario PC leader), John Wright (CEO, Canada Pulse Insights)Dave Trafford is joined by Keith Leslie, Tim Hudak, and John Wright for a lively roundtable that begins with the soaring cost of World Series tickets and quickly pivots into a sharp political discussion about Doug Ford’s government.Hudak shares his perspective as a former Consumer Minister on the futility of policing ticket resellers, while Wright and Leslie explore how technology, bots, and lax regulation have transformed ticket scalping into a billion-dollar business.The panel then dissects fresh polling data revealing Ford’s surprising strength in Toronto and the GTA—numbers showing nearly half of Torontonians approving of his performance, particularly on populist issues such as speed cameras and school trustees.The conversation deepens with the week’s political firestorm: the Auditor General’s revelations about the Skills Development Fund, questions surrounding Labour Minister David Piccini, and fresh allegations from “Mr. X” in the ongoing Greenbelt saga. Jessica Smith Cross of The Trillium joins the episode with her reporting, laying out the connections between political insiders, lobbying, and taxpayer dollars.The crew debates whether these controversies expose a deeper issue of cronyism and complacency within the Ford government, or simply the growing pains of a long-serving administration.The episode closes with reflections on accountability, transparency, and the political costs of loyalty—ending with a consensus that the Ford government’s biggest risk now isn’t its policies, but its optics.Chapters00:00 – Introduction & World Series Ticket Shock06:00 – Polling the GTA: Ford’s Populist Edge14:00 – The Speed Camera Debate: Cash Grab or Safety Tool?31:00 – The Skills Development Fund Scandal & Mr. X Allegations46:00 – Cronyism, Transparency, and Political Fallout52:00 – Closing ThoughtsYou can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and XAnd you can leave us a voice comment here!For more information go to Dave's website.