Shows
NOW and NEXT[FRIDAY BONUS] Head for the Hills with Glenn Crouter and Dave TraffordHead for the Hills is back! As ski season returns, Glenn Crouter and Dave Trafford welcome it in with open arms (and mitts), then chat with Robert Huter (GM/owner of Mount St. Louis Moonstone ski resort) about surviving through the pandemic, and what's in store for this season and the future.Head for the Hills is sponsored by our friends at ewool. Check out their offerings at ewool.comYou can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn...
2022-12-0917 min
On The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastTaking a break from politics to RememberThe OTL gang is assembled! Keith Leslie at CHCH-TV, John Wright SVP Maru Public Opinion, Sabrina Nanji, Publisher and Editor of the Queen’s Park Observer and SSN Chief Executive Producer Dave Trafford are around the table.In this episode:It’s Remembrance Day in Canada - November 11th.We take time to reflect on the service and sacrifice of our military and their families.AND, we are featuring an archived presentation of Embedded in Kandahar - a radio documentary Dave Trafford produced with the late Christie Blatchford. The show is based on Christie’s Governor Genera...
2022-11-1122 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastCUPE's illegal strike responds to illegal legislation at Queen's ParkThe OTL gang is assembled! Keith Leslie at CHCH-TV, John Wright SVP Maru Public Opinion, Sabrina Nanji, Publisher and Editor of the Queen’s Park Observer and SSN Chief Executive Producer Dave Trafford are around the table.In this episode:Ford Nation may have won the battle, forcing a contract on education workers but what kind of war has begun?Has Ontario's use of the Notwithstanding Clause pushed Canada towards a constitutional crisis?This is the third time the Ford government has used the Notwithstanding clause to push legislation. In this case, it’s clearly contrary to t...
2022-11-0436 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastWill Ford get an easier ride on the housing file with Horwath, Del Duca, Brown and Tory in the Mayors' chairs?The OTL gang is assembled! Keith Leslie at CHCH-TV, John Wright SVP Maru Public Opinion, Sabrina Nanji, Publisher and Editor of the Queen’s Park Observer and SSN Chief Executive Producer Dave Trafford are around the table.In this episode:Horwath, Del Duca, Brown, Tory and Crombie are likely to help Ford Nation move quickly on the affordable housing file.The province has a surplus! Good for taxpayers. Bad for Ford.What is Ford thinking by refusing to testify at the federal inquiry in the use of the Emergencies Act?We need to issue a BO...
2022-10-2932 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastWhat? CUPE's demanding a 50% increase for Education workers in Ontario? Stephen Lecce says so.The OTL gang is assembled! Keith Leslie at CHCH-TV, John Wright SVP Maru Public Opinion, Sabrina Nanji, Publisher and Editor of the Queen’s Park Observer and SSN Chief Executive Producer Dave Trafford are around the table.In this episode:The Ford government is prepared to cough up $365 million to parents of school kids while telling education workers the government doesn’t have enough money to meet contract demands.So much for not negotiating in the media. Education Minister Stephen Lecce tells Newstalk 1010, the CUPE demands amount to a nearly 50% increase.Will the threat of strikes lead...
2022-10-2133 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe contract dance continues between the province and education workers; Is it time to eliminate School Boards?Where is the Health Minister?The OTL gang is assembled! Keith Leslie at CHCH-TV, John Wright SVP Maru Public Opinion and SSN Chief Executive Producer Dave Trafford are around the table.In this episode:Is there room for optimism in the education contract talks?Is it time to declare education an essential service?John Wright admits he’s not a Mathlete!Where is the Health Minister? Latest numbers say hospital wait times are up across the province..Newsrooms are dropping the ball when it comes to reporting on Queen’s Park!Does Alberta Premier Danielle Smith get a mull...
2022-10-1447 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastPoll says most Ontarians overwhelmingly think Ford Nation is mishandling healthcare, LTC and housingThe OTL gang is assembled! Keith Leslie at CHCH-TV, John Wright SVP Maru Public Opinion and SSN Chief Executive Producer Dave Trafford are around the table.In this episode:Quebec re-elects Legault and the UCP in Alberta chooses Danielle Smith to succeed Jason Kenney and the province’s premier designate.It puts pressure on federal-provincial relations. Is Trudeau up to the task?An Angus Reid survey says Ontarians “overwhelmingly” say Ford Nation is mishandling the healthcare, LTC, and housing files four months into the PC’s second mandate.More than 20% of municipal election races are over. A...
2022-10-0737 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastWhy do we still have dozens of Boil-Water orders in First Nations communities on this Day for Truth and Reconciliation?The OTL gang is assembled! Keith Leslie at CHCH-TV, John Wright SVP Maru Public Opinion and SSN Chief Executive Producer Dave Trafford are around the table.In this episode:We mark the second annual Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and the truth is dozens of First Nations communities in Ontario remain under boil-water orders.We hear from Sol Mamakwa, MPP for the riding of Kiiwetinoog in Northwestern Ontario. One of the communities in his riding has been under a boil-water order for 28 years!Keith and John get into a spirited debate over claims that nuclear energy...
2022-09-3033 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastFord's approval rating drops four percentage points. Should he worry?The OTL gang is assembled! Sabrina Nanji from the Queen's Park Observer, Keith Leslie at CHCH-TV, John Wright SVP Maru Public Opinion and SSN Chief Executive Producer Dave Trafford are around the table.In this episode:It's not debatable but we talk to Keith from his vantage point in Nova Scotia on his preparation plans as Fione bears down on NS, PEI and NL.The latest Angus Reid survey suggests Doug Ford’s approval rating has dipped four-percentage points settling in around 41%. John Wright says Ford Nation has nothing to worry about. Keith is surprised it isn’t lo...
2022-09-2335 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastFord Nation shuts down the legislature for 7 weeks?!!The OTL gang is assembled! Sabrina Nanji from the Queen's Park Observer, Keith Leslie at CHCH-TV, John Wright SVP Maru Public Opinion and SSN Chief Executive Producer Dave Trafford are around the table.In this episode:MPP's barely got back to business at Queen's Park and the Ford government has adjourned the legislature until AFTER municipal elections on October 24th.The “More Beds, Better Care Act" is a complete misnomer and does nothing to solve the long term problems in long term care.Barrie Mayor, Jeff Lehman says he's considering a bid for the Ontario Liberal le...
2022-09-1633 min
NOW and NEXTDo we need a national day of mourning? Trudeau fights inflation. Polievre scraps with MSMDo Canadians really need a whole federal statutory holiday to observe Queen Elizabeth II’s passing? And, the Liberal Government unveiled their anti-inflation plans this week - including tax breaks on GST and assistance for families to pay for kids to go to the dentist.Plus, on The Brief, Dave sits down with the CEO at The Daily Bread Food Bank, Neil Hetherington to talk about the crisis of affordability in Canada and the launch of Season 2 of The 2030 Project.nowandnext.supercast.comSupport Now and Next! Subscribe to our Exclusive Supercast feed for access to AMAs, our...
2022-09-1441 min
NOW and NEXTWelcome to NOW and NEXTStory Studio Network CEO, Erin Trafford is in studio today to talk about our new venture - NOW & NEXT. It's the rebrand, relaunch of The Daily Brief with Dave Trafford.Erin and Dave will co-host the show, highlighting the three news stories of the day that are most likely to affect you and your family, you and your business, you and your future.The Daily Brief will be a featured segment of the show, exploring the big issues and big ideas driving culture, the economy and politics.NOW & NEXT officially launches Monday, September 12th, 2022. No need to...
2022-09-0723 minNOW and NEXTWe're BACK and we've got some news for youHope you enjoyed what was a glorious summer in this part of the world! With the unofficial turn towards Autumn, we're launching a raft of new shows at Story Studio Network and we're beefing up The Daily Brief!Starting Monday, September 12th, we are re-launching this show. It will be called NOW&NEXT and it will feature co-hosts Erin and Dave Trafford as well as a a Daily Brief segment.There's so much to talk about in the news and in the media, we decided to make more room for it here!You can watch OR...
2022-09-0611 minNOW and NEXTIt's On The Ledge Friday!Here's our weekly Roundtable on Ontario politics with Sabrina Nanji, Keith Leslie, John Wright and Dave Trafford. On The Ledge will go "daily" as soon as the Lt. Governor dissolves the assembly and that's expected to officially happen on Wednesday! SO, the Daily Brief will be all about the WRIT RACE to election day on June 2nd.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...
2022-05-0236 minNOW and NEXTHow is podcasting working for Sarah Thorne at Decision Partners?Today on the Daily Brief, we introduce you to Sarah Thorne, President and CEO at Decision Partners. Sarah was a co-host and producer on the first podcast series we produced at Story Studio Network. Sarah was joined by Lisa Taylor, Dave Hardy and Ujwal Arkagud in a 12 part series called The Next Normal. Sarah also hosts and co-produces the Engineering With Nature podcast with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. She joins the show today to talk about her experience and how podcasting has become an effective communications tool for her and the Corps. You can watch OR...
2022-04-2122 minNOW and NEXTHappy Birthday to us! Story Studio Network is a year old today!It all started with a text message asking for a "quick call" and Story Studio Network was the outcome. Twelve months later, we've gone from one podcast series and three team members to 14 shows and a stable of major market talent. Our clients have proven podcasting is a great addition to their branding and marketing strategies. The power of podcasting allows them to tell their stories in their voice. On today's edition of the Daily Brief, Jamie Nickerson and Erin Trafford join to talk about our startup rocket ride and where we're heading!You can watch OR listen...
2022-04-2027 minNOW and NEXTHave you worked coffee meetings back into your work calendar?We are finally starting to step out into the light a little more with each passing week. We're still being cautious, many people choosing to continue wearing masks in larger gatherings. And that's not a bad thing. And it's also good for our psyche and good for the economy. We were at a large trade show on the weekend in Toronto and it was as busy as I would have expected in the "before times". The only obvious differences were, you had to buy a ticket that specified your arrival time and about half of the people at the show...
2022-04-1321 minNOW and NEXTToday on the DAILY BRIEF: Why Meaning MattersHappy Sunday and welcome to this bonus edition of the Daily Brief. Today we feature another one of the shows we're producing at Story Studio Network. Why Meaning Matters is well into season 2 and in this episode we explore the future of cannabis consumption. Host Erin Trafford, MotivBase cultural anthropologist, Ujwal Arkalgud and MotivBase president, Jason Partridge bridge the connections between sleep and pain to cannabis. They explore the use of cannabis for managing inflammation, how it interacts with other supplements, and how it’s being used on a daily basis for general health and wellbeing.Yo...
2022-03-1315 minNOW and NEXTToday on the Daily Brief: The Words of War.As we make a turn into week number three of the Russian war in Ukraine, the battles are being waged on the ground, in cyber space and in the media. Today, we're joined by Bob Reid at Broadway Strategy & Communications, and Erin Trafford, Co-founder and Chief Executive Producer at Story Studio Network to talk about the role and responsibility of journalism and media organizations to "get it right". And is this an opportunity for mainstream news to regain trust among media consumers?You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)
2022-03-0926 minNOW and NEXTIf we're making judgement calls about Rogan on Spotify, what about the convicted criminals who are also selling their wares on the platform?On this edition of the Daily Brief, Story Studio Network co-founder, Erin Trafford applauds the call for Spotify to reasses its values but what about other content being sold and promoted on the platform by convicted criminals? And is this movement going to focus on Apple and Google, et al? And the FREEDOM CONVOY in Ottawa proves you're free to be a racist, free to spread misinformation, free to desecrate the National War Memorial. Erin wonders whether this "freedom movement" in Canada and the United States will eventually refect the sectarian "Troubles" that crippled Ireland fifty years ago. Y...
2022-01-3119 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastWhat kind of Canada will we vote for on September 20th?This federal campaign has been dominated by wedge issues, personal attacks, and a disaster of a debate. Where is the vision? Where is the deep discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing Canada? Scott White, CEO and Editor in Chief at The Conversation Canada, joins John Wright and Dave Trafford in this edition of The WRIT Race.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...
2021-09-1327 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastPolitical parties approach women to run so they can check a box.Erin Trafford and Amanda Galbraith join us for this special edition of The Writ Race to talk about the role women should be playing in Canadian politics. And we also explore the idea that Rural Canada is increasingly being left out of the political discussion in this country. 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.
2021-09-0222 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastGetting to know Erin O'TooleSussex Strategy co-founder, Brett James joins John Wright and Dave Trafford in the DAY 9 edition of The WRIT Race. In this episode we talk about everything from Conservative Party leader Erin O'Toole's efforts to ingratiate himself to Canadian voters, even if that risks criticism from the right-leaning element of the party's core to the effect of digital campaigns. And we close by remembering Rolling Stones legend, Charlie Watts.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...
2021-08-2432 min
On The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastWrit Race Day 8 LIVE STREAM with Dave Trafford and John WrightICYMI: John Wright and Dave Trafford did the LIVE STREAM video version of the WRIT Race on Monday afternoon. Here's the audio from the show, if that suits you better. Otherwise, we'd encourage you to check out the YouTube show here. We're also broadcasting on Dave's Facebook page. We plan to do the video version every Monday over the course of the campaign and on Election Night. On Day 8, the Liberals get their hands slapped by Twitter for manipulating an Erin O'Toole video.You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to...
2021-08-2422 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastHow are provincial politics affecting the federal election game plans?Today on The WRIT Race - the daily #cndpoli #podcast, John Wright and Dave Trafford are joined by Keith Leslie and Erin Trafford, who offer up insights into what happened in the #NovaScotia election. Also, will the federal Liberal party be able to resist running against Doug Ford @fordnation in Ontario? And we highlight a Master Class by Sean O'Shea at Global News Toronto on how-to-hold -political-parties-accountable. 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 l...
2021-08-2027 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastIs it realistic to think federal parties can have national election platforms?Today on The WRIT Race daily #podcast, John Wright and Dave Trafford ponder whether there can be such a thing as a national election platform when the needs of Canadians in Atlanta Canada are different from the issues faced in the prairies and the territories. Also, how will mail-in voting/voter turnout affect the outcome in some key ridings on election day?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...
2021-08-1920 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastCould the Friday Dump at Queen's Park be a Cabinet Shuffle announcement?This week on the podcast with John Wright, Keith Leslie and Dave Trafford, the province is on the verge of blowing through its vaccination targets, (will the Ford government accelerate plans to open the economy?), the NDP is the first out of the gate with campaign ads, the Tories have named their platform build team, AND.. Oh ya, while we're recoding the show, Keith gets a text telling us we may have a cabinet shuffle by the end of business on Friday!You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)
2021-06-1828 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastWe're BACK! Just in time for the 3rd wave of COVID-19In this Back to the Ledge episode of On The Ledge, John Wright, Keith Leslie and Dave Trafford dive in on the latest COVID-19 developments at Queen's Park, the Ford government's Greenbelt expansion plan (that includes the construction of Highway 413??). We also note that Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath has the distinction of being the longest serving leader of a major political party in Canada. But a year from the next provincial campaign, it appears she and the NDP are on track to slide back to third party status.You can watch OR listen to this episode on...
2021-02-1923 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastOntario Premier Doug Ford: COVID messaging is clear. REALLY?Ontario Premier Doug Ford is pushing back on criticism of his government's COVID-19 communications and public health guidance. Ford says "I don't think the guidelines can be any clearer." Really?? In this week's episode of On the Ledge, John Wright, Keith Leslie and Dave Trafford are joined by Melissa Lantsman. Melissa's not only the VP at Enterprise, she was the Tory war room director during the last provincial election campaign. She says the Ford government is running out of chances to get the story straight. "Confusing public health advice across every single jurisdiction is undermining public trust. We need to...
2020-10-2126 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastWe're Back!The Ontario legislature is back in business and so is our podcast, On The Ledge. Getting kids back to school this week was akin to building an aircraft in-flight. Class sizes are larger than expected. Teachers are still learning who, what and where they're teaching. And dozens of bus routes have been cancelled because of a driver shortage. John Wright is Executive Vice President of Maru/Blue Public Opinion. Keith Leslie is political commentator at CHCH News and the Hamilton Spectator. And Dave Trafford is the Executive Producer of iContact Productions and host of the Weekend Morning Show on Newstalk 1010...
2020-09-1625 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastFord Nation is framing Steven Del Duca as a Wynne LoserThe Ontario Liberal Party handed former Wynne minister Steven Del Duca a first ballot win and new business cards as the Leader of the provincial party. The governing Progressive Conservatives have already released online ads framing Del Duca as a continuation of Kathleen Wynne's politics and policies. Can Del Duca redefine himself? Can he redefine the provincial party? Can he raise the cash needed to take on the Tories in 2022? Can he recruit quality candidates to take on the Tories in 2022? And what does all this say about the leadership, (or lack thereof), from NDP leader Andrea Horwath? Y...
2020-03-1023 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastTrump's Viral Confusion over COVID-19 spreads faster than the CoronavirusListen to the declarations coming out of Washington about COVID-19 and it's clear that the Canadian response to the outbreak has been weeks ahead of the curve. Nonetheless, all of our preparedness for this strain of the coronavirus is not enough to inoculate us against the Trump administration's viral confusion and its effects on world markets. President Trump has appointed Vice President as the lead on the COVID-19 file but it's still not clear who is in charge. One thing we do know is the next Ontario Liberal Leader will be named on March 7th. The leader of the pack...
2020-02-2933 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastDid PM Trudeau just download the blockade crisis onto the provinces?At the time of this recording, the nationwide rail blockades continue with no end in sight. The prime minister admits there has been no progress in meaningful talks and told a Friday afternoon news conference it's time for the blockades to come down. What does that mean? There is no plan. There is no deadline. And there is no consequence for demonstrators if the blockades remain in place. Has he effectively downloaded this national crisis onto the provinces? ALSO this week: We introduce THE FRIDAY DUMP. We nominate the news makers, news stories, maybe even the news media who are w...
2020-02-2133 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastIt's Back to Business at Queen's ParkThe Christmas recess has wrapped up at Queen's Park, the legislature is back in session and there are more than a few pots at a rolling boil on the front burner. The labour standoff continues with all of the teachers' unions across the province. Rotating strikes continue and there appears to be no progress in this war of attrition. That strife will take up a good deal of oxygen as the session resumes but Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney will be front and centre presenting some major public transit legislation and having to stick handle the botched roll out of the...
2020-02-1829 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastA 2019 Wrap with Special Guests John Michael McGrath and Steve PaikinThis is our 62nd episode of @OnTheLedgePcast and our final show for 2019. Our usual suspects, John Wright, Keith Leslie and Dave Trafford are here along with special guests John Michael McGrath and Steve Paikin from TVO's @theAgenda. John Michael and Steve also produce and host the #OnPoli podcast. Their show gets down in the weeds - whereas On The Ledge gets down in the mud! We will take a hiatus for a few weeks while the legislature takes its Christmas/winter break. So be sure to subscribe to the podcast. That way you won't miss a thing! Merry Christmas! Happy...
2019-12-1647 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastHamilton's Sh*t Show makes national news and Ontarians grow weary of the Teachers' Contract StandoffIt's becoming clear that #sewergate in the City of Hamilton will not only be a municipal election issue in 2022, it will likely test the Steeltown MPPs running for re-election in two and a half years. Meanwhile, the ongoing standoff between the province and the teachers' unions is a point of aggravation and weariness for students and parents who face one day class disruptions - including one day walkouts by secondary school teachers. The On The Ledge team says the messaging from both sides is Shakespearean - "a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury sigifying nothing." (Who...
2019-12-0936 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Hamilton SH*T Show Splashes on Queen's Park and Ontario High School Teachers Set a Strike DateBest estimates suggest 24 billion litres of raw sewage has been dumped into Chedoke Creek in Hamilton, Ontario. City council knew about the leak prior to the 2018 municipal election but it only came to light through recent reporting by the Hamilton Spectator. Laura Babcock, President of Powergroup Communications joins the On The Ledge panel this week. She says Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger has no option but to resign over the scandal. Meanwhile, public high school teachers across Ontario are prepared to stage a one day strike on December 4th, 2019. The OSSTF says contract negotiations with the province are going nowhere.
2019-12-0130 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastOntario Teachers Set To Take Job Action and Doug Ford Takes the Lead on Federal-Provincial Relations.There were all kinds of predictions that Ontario Premier Doug Ford's meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would be more of a stand off than a sit down. But that wasn't the case. All indications are Ford and Trudeau had a productive discussion and left the name calling on the campaign trail. And less than a month before school's out for the Christmas holiday break and, so far, it's been business as usual in the classroom while teachers' unions negotiate new contracts with the provincial government. But that is about to change. The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) will jo...
2019-11-2429 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastHamilton Pushes Back Against Doug Ford and Canada's premiers will meet December 2ndOrganized labour organized a demonstration outside MPP Donna Skelly's Hamilton office this past week - all because of a comment the premier made in response to a question from Skelly. Skelly basically teed up a friendly question and Doug Ford replied with friendly fire. The premier also made news when it was announced that Canada's premiers will be meeting in the GTA on December 2nd. It gives the provinces the chance to have a unified message in a unified voice before the federal government gets back to business with a new throne speech. You can watch OR listen t...
2019-11-1728 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastIs there a movement to draft Jane Philpott as the next leader of the Ontario Liberals?Is there a movement to draft Jane Philpott as a Liberal leadership candidate? Is it time for the New Democrats to replace Andrea Horwath? It’s nearly universally acknowledged that Ford Nation spent its time well during the five-month recess at Queen’s Park if, for no other reason than, it changed its tone and approach, finally shifting from “campaign” to “governing” mode. And the ON THE LEDGE panel says that’s made it more difficult for the opposition to lay a glove on the Tories. The question then is how will the change in tone by the PCs effect the immediate a...
2019-11-0919 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastEXTRA! The Ontario Fall Economic StatementOntario’s Finance Minister Rod Phillips delivered the Fall Economic Statement in the legislature this week and it was criticized by the left and the right. The opposition NDP accuse the Ford government of making drastic cuts to programs and services while staunch conservatives shout about Ford spending more than the Kathleen Wynne government. Getting heat from both sides suggests to Phillips they got the balance just about right. They’ve added cash to health and education, focused on some tax relief, (especially for small business) and have a plan to flatten the deficit a year into their next mandate. Abov...
2019-11-0917 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastFord Nation moves away from READY-FIRE-AIM method of governingThe Ontario legislature was back in business this past week after a nearly five month recess. Things kicked off with a "day of action" demonstration by public service unions but it wasn't as spirited as one may have expected. The ON THE LEDGE panel chalks that up to an obvious change of tone from Premier Doug Ford. There was some barbs in house during Question Period but there was a noticeable change in behaviour. Spectator could not only hear the questions, they could hear the answers. Premier Ford may be speaking softly but it would be wrong to think he...
2019-11-0329 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastDoug Ford Emerges After 40 Days and 40 Nights in the WildernessThe federal election is in the rearview mirror and there have been a few Doug Ford sightings as the Ontario legislation prepares to get back to business. There is a noticeable change in tone from the Ontario premier but it's pretty clear that Ford's office is prepared to continue its war with the media. Keith Leslie says Ford remains in a bubble and is conducting public business behind closed doors. CTV Queen's Park Bureau Chief Colin D'Mello joins this week's edition of the On The Ledge PodcastYou can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube...
2019-10-2729 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastOn The Ledge EXTRA - Is LEADERSHIP the Real Ballot Question in Canada's Federal Election?This is a special EXTRA edition of On the Ledge. John Wright, Keith Leslie and Dave Trafford explore the question of leadership as an underlying ballot question in Canada's federal election. There are several provincial and regional issues that have surfaced during the federal campaign but they have only been "used to divide" Canadians rather than viewed as matters that require federal attention and leadership. There has been a presumption that this campaign was a referendum on Premier Doug Ford's leadership in Ontario. But considering the way the polls have developed, it's apparent that this election may well be a...
2019-10-2116 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastWhat will the General Election Outcome Mean For Federal-Provincial Relations?By all accounts, the final results of the federal election will be a muddled minority at best. There are no shortage of scenarios being floated as to who can, should or will be able to command the confidence of the House of Commons. No matter the outcome, it means Canadians are likely to head back to the polls withing the next 24 or 30 months - at best. Whoever forms government will parade their platform priorities in the first throne speech. But how will that affect the biggest issue facing this country. Support grows for separatism in Alberta. The Bloc Quebecois has...
2019-10-1928 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastFord stays out of sight while Scheer and Kenney campaign in OntarioJustin Trudeau barely gets through a stump speech or a Q&A with media without mentioning Doug Ford's name multiple times. He accuses the Ontario premier of taking care of his rich pals and cutting essential services intended to support the most vulnerable. Trudeau says a Scheer government in Ottawa would do the same or worse. The strategy is fairly transparent. The Liberals are not only linking Andrew Scheer to an unpopular premier, they're baiting Ford to engage in the federal campaign. But try as they may, the Trudeau Liberals have not been able to draw Ontario Premier Doug Ford...
2019-10-1526 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Unions Strike Back - CUPE Education Workers Threaten Province Wide WalkoutWell that escalated in a hurry. CUPE represents some 55 thousand education workers across the province and has been in contract negotiations with the province over the past few weeks. It appeared they were close to a deal on Sunday, September 29th, but the union walked away from the negotiations saying they would commence a work to rule on September 30. Two days later, union leadership announced plans for a full scale strike unless there is a deal by 12:01 AM on Monday, October 6th. That sent heads spinning at Queen's Park and parent's scrambling because a number of local school boards have...
2019-10-0523 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastTaking the Politics Out of Climate Change and Overhauling UP ExpressClimate change was the front and centre subject of discussion this week. It was punctuated by the Climate Strike marches in cities around the world - a movement led by Greta Thunberg. In the throes of a federal election campaign, the climate agenda was commandeered by citizens who don't have a vote. Education is also the focus of attention On The Ledge with news that CUPE representing some 55,000 educational workers in the province are preparing a work to rule campaign. You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)Fo...
2019-09-2927 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastWhen Federal Politics Are Provincial PoliticsThe federal election campaign has consumed all of the political oxygen since the Governor General officially dissolved parliament on September 11. The Liberal strategy out of the gate was to equate Conservative Leader to Doug Ford - characterized as the service-slashing Premier of Ontario who cares little about the little guy. A vote for Scheer is a vote that threatens everything from healthcare to affordable housing. How has that strategy played out? How could it be related to the midweek bombshell from Time Magazine - publishing photos of Justin Trudeau in blackface? Meanwhile, life goes on for parents and kids across...
2019-09-2227 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastAnti-Carbon Tax Stickers Can't Stand Up To the ClimateIf the medium is the message, then Premier Doug Ford's anti-carbon tax message isn't sticking. The government mandated anti-federal carbon tax labels that adorn gas pumps across the province are peeling off; reporting in the Toronto Star suggests they've got the wrong adhesive. First problem is, the glue is intended for indoor use; the second issue is the glue was meant to adhere to metal (the gas pump coverings are vinyl). The labels may not stick but the irony is sticking to the premier, whose family fortune comes from a very successful decal and labelling company. But in the grand...
2019-09-1324 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastCUPE Fires the First Salvo in Ontario's Education ShowdownStudents got back to class this week in Ontario with little or no drama on the labour front. But it was clear, before the week was over, that the Doug Ford Tories will be facing push back from unions representing workers in the education sector. CUPE is the first to light a slow burn fuse, putting the province on notice. The union represents some 55 thousand education workers across the province and has requested a "no board notice" which starts the clock ticking down to job action that could begin September 23, 2019. So far, the teachers unions are keeping their powder dry...
2019-09-0726 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastAll's Quiet on the Education Front in Ontario - for now.Here we are making the turn into the autumn. The kids are heading back to class this week without much of the drama that had been anticipated. There have been dire prognostications of an all out war between the teachers' unions and the Doug Ford government. Any hints of labour unrest remain in the background - for now. So, it's business as usual, extra-curriculars and athletics move forward as planned. We're joined this week by Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner. Mike outlines his plans for vetting non-political appointments at Queen's Park. You can watch OR listen to t...
2019-09-0133 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastTwo Months AD (After Dean) Signals a Change in Tone for Doug Ford's ToriesDean French left the Premier's Office at Queen's Park about two months ago and, by accident or design, the tone and approach of the Doug Ford government has shifted significantly. That tone was front and centre this past week at the annual AMO (Association of Municipalities of Ontario) meeting in Ottawa. It wasn't a love-in by any stretch of the imagination. Local governments are still struggling with Queen's Park's decision to cut funding for municipal services including public health and child care. But, there was dialogue. The premier and his cabinet entertained some 600 meetings with municipal mayors, councillors and adminstrators...
2019-08-2536 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastOn The Ledge Week 43 - Can Doug Ford sit on his hands on the sidelines during the federal election campaign?This week ON THE LEDGE welcomes Melissa Lantsman as a guest contributor. Melissa’s a VP at Hill and Knowlton and was also a war room strategist for the Ontario PC party during the 2018 provincial campaign. All the talk in Toronto was about the spike in gun violence this week. The region averaged more than 2 shootings a day in a 7 day stretch. That has prompted Ontario Premier Doug Ford to reiterate his law and order commitment to the Toronto Police Service in the form of $25 million. Ford and Toronto Mayor John Tory are expected to make a joint announcement in th...
2019-08-1126 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastOn The Ledge Week 41 - Remembering David CaplanIn this episode, co-hosts John Wright, Keith Leslie and Dave Trafford remember former Ontario cabinet minister David Caplan. Caplan died following a fire in his North York home on July 24th, 2019. Caplan had served in a number of portfolios, including Minister of Health, in Premier Dalton McGuinty's government at Queen's Park. Otherwise, it was a fairly quiet week for the Doug Ford government. Normally, quiet wouldn't be newsworthy but, as noted in this space over the past few months, quiet weeks have been a rarity at Queen's Park - so that makes it unusual and unusual is always newsworthy:)
2019-07-2830 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastOn The Ledge Week 34This week mark's the first anniversary of Doug Ford's election as Premier of Ontario. And for all the tumult we've seen, the ON THE LEDGE crew gave the PC government a "B" for it's first twelve months on the job.The premier held a session ending news conference with his entire cabinet in attendance and Ford made it clear they'll be busy during the four month recess from the legislature. John Wright, Keith Leslie and Dave Trafford are joined in episode by Amanda Galbraith - a Principal at Navigator. You can watch OR listen to this episode on ou...
2019-06-0823 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastOn The Ledge - Week 31It's the Victoria Day edition of On The Ledge. It's worth noting, Queen's Park, home of the Ontario Legislature, is Queen Victoria's Park. In this episode, the week ends with a flurry of "good news stories" for the Ford Tories. CH political analyst Keith Leslie, Dart Insights and Communications CEO John Wright and iContact Productions' Dave Trafford think it may be good news for MPPs who will be in their ridings for a constituency week.You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram...
2019-05-1821 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastOn The Ledge - Week 24In this episode, Keith Leslie, John Wright and Dave Trafford go deep on Subways;) The Ford government has made it clear the province will not only control the design, planning and building of subways in Toronto, it wants significant changes to projects that have already started.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.
2019-04-0327 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastOn The Ledge Week 22Everybody's back to work, back to business and back to school now that March Break has wrapped up in Ontario. But while the kids were out of class, Queen's Park spent most of its time and energy talking about Education. Keith Leslie, John Wright and Dave Trafford also wade back into the Autism Program. It's time for the province to make it a health care priority. It doesn't belong in 'Community Services'You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X
2019-03-1827 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastOn The Ledge - Week 21Here we are into the March Break in Ontario. It means the Ledge isn't sitting this week, but there's plenty to talk about - including whether the Ford government will be able to keep its campaign promise that "no jobs will be lost" as they wrestle with the provincial deficit. Budge day is April 11! Former Queen's Park CP Bureau Chief Keith Leslie and iContact Productions Executive Producer Dave Trafford dig in on the issues.You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn...
2019-03-1124 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastOn The Ledge - Week 20Healthcare and Education are the two big ticket items in any provincial budget and they were front and centre this week at Queen's Park. Dart Insights CEO John Wright, Keith Leslie, former Queen's Park CP Bureau Chief Keith Leslie and iContact Productions Executive Producer Dave Trafford dig in on some of the files that made the headlines. But they also wonder two things - will Finance Minister Vic Fideli's spring budget actually be an omnibus bill that touches on all of the key issues we've seen addressed by the Ford government AND what kind of fallout could the SNC-Lavalin scandal...
2019-03-0327 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastOn The Ledge - Week 19It has been a LONG WINTER'S NIGHT since the Ontario legislature took it's Christmas break. But we're back! Dart Insights CEO John Wright, Keith Leslie, former Queen's Park CP Bureau Chief Keith Leslie and iContact Productions Executive Producer Dave Trafford are back with On the Ledge.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.
2019-02-2630 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastOn The Ledge LIVE on Newstalk 1010 in Toronto - Week 18Here's our 2018 year end offering! We've assembled the On The Ledge panel, Queen's Park Commentator and former Canadian Press Bureau Chief, Keith Leslie, John Wright, CEO Insight at Dart Insight and Communications, and Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions, to take a look back on what happened at the Park and a look ahead to what we can expect in the coming year.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...
2019-01-0414 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastOn The Ledge Week 14More Ontario government announcements made "for the people", including welfare reforms and musings about future public transit plans. But who are "the people" benefiting? Even in the wake of the provincial economic update, it's becoming increasingly difficult to determine exactly what the Ford government stands for. John Wright, Keith Leslie and Dave Trafford say it all comes down to a failure to communicate. 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 c...
2018-11-2621 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastOn the Ledge - Week 6It's earlier than expected, but Queen's Park is back and some would say 'with a vengence'. Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions, John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications, and veteran Queen's Park journalist, Keith Leslie take their weekly look at Ontario politics from their perch "On the Ledge". The Ontario Superior Court ruling that overturned BILL 5...has been met with brute constitutional force. Premier Ford came out swinging - determined to ensure that his agenda is not going to be fussed or tinkered with by an unelected judge. The premier has invoked section 33 of the...
2018-09-1724 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastOn The Ledge - Week 5The summer session at Queen's Park has wrapped up after five busy, if not chaotic weeks that include a long laundry list of legislative tasks accomplished by the new provincial government led by rookie MPP Doug Ford. Premier Ford faces New Democratic Leader Andrea Horwath as the leader of the Official Opposition in the legislature. They may be barely 'two sword lengths' apart in the House, but they are miles apart on what they think is best for the province. Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions, John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications, and veteran Queen's...
2018-08-2024 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastOn The Ledge - Week 4The Writ Race has been run and Ontarians elected a new Progressive Conservative majority government on June 7, 2018 - led by rookie MPP Doug Ford. Premier Ford faces New Democratic Leader Andrea Horwath as the leader of the Official Opposition in the legislature. They may be barely 'two sword lengths' apart in the House, but they are miles apart on what they think is best for the province. Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions, John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications, and veteran Queen's Park journalist, Keith Leslie take a weekly look at Ontario politics from their...
2018-08-1028 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastOn The Ledge - Week 3The Writ Race has been run and Ontarians elected a new Progressive Conservative majority government on June 7, 2018 - led by rookie MPP Doug Ford. Premier Ford faces New Democratic Leader Andrea Horwath as the leader of the Official Opposition in the legislature. They may be barely 'two sword lengths' apart in the House, but they are miles apart on what they think is best for the province. Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions, John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications, and veteran Queen's Park journalist, Keith Leslie take a weekly look at Ontario politics from their...
2018-08-0324 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastOn The Ledge - Week 2The Writ Race has been run and Ontarians elected a new Progressive Conservative majority government on June 7, 2018 - led by rookie MPP Doug Ford. Premier Ford faces New Democratic Leader Andrea Horwath as the leader of the Official Opposition in the legislature. They may be barely 'two sword lengths' apart in the House, but they are miles apart on what they think is best for the province. Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions, John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications, and veteran Queen's Park journalist, Keith Leslie take a weekly look at Ontario politics from their...
2018-07-2724 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastOn The Ledge - Week 1The Writ Race has been run and Ontarians elected a new Progressive Conservative majority government on June 7, 2018 - led by rookie MPP Doug Ford. Premier Ford faces New Democratic Leader Andrea Horwath as the leader of the Official Opposition in the legislature. They may be barely 'two sword lengths' apart in the House, but they are miles apart on what they think is best for the province. Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions, John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications, and veteran Queen's Park journalist, Keith Leslie take a weekly look at Ontario politics from their...
2018-07-2021 min
On The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race June 7, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? ELECTION DAY:It's ALL OVER! Ontario is officially FordNation. Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservatives won a majority government with 40% of the popular vote. As expected Andrea Horwath's NDP forms the Official Opposition and the Kathleen Wynne's Liberals were reduced to single digits in the l...
2018-06-0211 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race June 6, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 29:There is a certain breathlessness about this final day on the campaign trail prior to voting day. Each of the party leaders playing the game trying to rallying the troops to 'get the vote out'. I compared this campaign to a marathon. Kathleen Wynne s...
2018-06-0221 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race June 5, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 28: It's hard to see how the NDP can win this election. One day left in the campaign and Andrea Horwath's New Democrats remain tied with Doug Ford's PC's in the popular vote but those numbers break in favour of a Tory majority. The question i...
2018-06-0227 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race June 4, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 27: The public is still catching up to the Liberal bombshell that was dropped on DAY 25. But the campaigns are reacting. Kathleen Wynne is focusing her attention on Toronto ridings - trying to prop up incumbents in the 416. Andrea Horwath's NDP bus made 5 stops through t...
2018-06-0213 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race June 3, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 26:It's the first day of full campaigning following Kathleen Wynne's unprecedented election tactic - conceding that she as the incumbent Premier of the province will not form the next government in Ontario. In this episode, we're joined by Bob Richardson, Senior Counsel, National Public R...
2018-06-0220 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race June 2, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 25: Okay! Nobody saw that coming. Liberal leaders Kathleen Wynne admits her party's not going to win the June 7 election and the best she can hope is that voters will elect a handful of Liberals to keep the new government, under Doug Ford or Andrea H...
2018-06-0214 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race June 1, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 24: June 1st marks the beginning of Pride Month in Toronto yet, Doug Ford seems un-prepared when asked whether he will march in the Pride Parade at the end of the month. It could be a problem for him OR a decided strategy by his c...
2018-06-0214 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race May 31, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 23:One week until ELECTION DAY in Ontario and the only thing that appears clear is that the Liberals are highly unlikely to extend their 15 years in office at Queen's Park. This is a campaign that has essentially be driven by two things: 1) Personalities and 2) P...
2018-06-0118 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race May 30, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 22: No sooner did we sign off from our last episode wondering aloud if or when Doug Ford's PCs would release a "plan" that resembled a platform than the party hit the send button on a package of promises. We've heard most of it. Some o...
2018-05-3116 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race May 29, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 21: A tentative day on the hustings in Ontario. None of the major parties has made any aggressive post-debate move to shore up about a third of the likely voters who haven't yet settled on a choice. Social media and conventional media discussion today still r...
2018-05-3017 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race May 28, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 20: It was feisty, it was frustrating, if not infuriating if you were hoping for some real debate and discussion of the issues facing the province. The Ontario Leaders' Debate was highlighted by hyperbole and histrionics. The format only served to reinforce the notion that p...
2018-05-2919 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race May 27, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 19: This is a special edition of The Writ Race, featuring pre-debate analysis from John Wright, Tony Chapman of Tony Chapman Reactions, and Tim Hudak, the former leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party. I had the opportunity to talk to all three on my m...
2018-05-2725 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race May 26, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 18: How are the media managing their coverage of Ontario Election 2018? We sit down with two newsroom managers to talk about the challenges and opportunities to tell the story of this historic campaign. Kym Geddes is the News Director at Newstalk 1010 in Toronto. Tim Richards i...
2018-05-2720 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race - Part 2 - May 25, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 17: Three polls hit the media today and each of them suggests the NDP is making gains at the expense of Liberals and PCs. But a deeper dive on the numbers based on CBC reporting says the New Democrats may be well ahead in popular v...
2018-05-2616 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race - Part 1 - May 25, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 17: Okay. I know it looks like we missed a day on the trail...and we did, but only because John Wright tangled with a dog and ended up with a K-9 bite! The headline reads: POLLSTER BITTEN BY DOG. The good news for John i...
2018-05-2614 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race May 23, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 15: Another day another poll telling us the NDP and the PCs are neck and neck across the province. As John Wright points out, the final outcome will depend on where the 'vote is thick' for either party. At this point, there still appears to b...
2018-05-2421 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race May 22, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 14: This election is Doug Ford's to lose and he's getting closer and closer to doing just that. The latest Ipsos poll done for Global News suggests it's a dead heat between the PCs and the NDP. Compare that to the Ipsos number released the d...
2018-05-2315 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race May 21, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 13: The polls say this Ontario election is coming down to Ford vs. Horwath. Listening closely, and both the PCs and the NDP are battling over the same voter. Ford's "for the little guy" left behind by elites and tone deaf government that wastes hard e...
2018-05-2215 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race May 20, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? Day 12: The latest Abacus Poll shows the collapse of the Liberal vote and the NDP is within the margin of error of Doug Ford's PCs. It's Game On! and the game is clearly an NDP - PC showdown with 17 days to election day in Ontario. I...
2018-05-2115 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race May 19, 2017Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? Day 11: NDP Leader Andrea Horwath slaps Kathleen Wynne with her gauntlet then throws it down in front of Doug Ford. Horwath says Wynne is not a factor in this election. It's down to her and Doug Ford.You can watch OR listen to t...
2018-05-2114 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race May 18, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? Day 10: More than a third of the way through Ontario Election 2018! And it looks like the Ballot Question is "Do you want change" and the resounding answer is "HELL YA!". The problem here is voting for 'change' is a dangerous thing. It avoids or ignores i...
2018-05-1920 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race May 17, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 9: More accusations of scandal levelled at the PCs. But John Wright points out, the Tories have dealt with each one quickly. The Premier tried to call out insurance companies for basing auto premiums on where drivers live. The problem is, it opened her up t...
2018-05-1820 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race May 16, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? Day 8: The Liberals are calling out the Tories for two controversial candidates but that seems to be helping the NDP. Doug Ford's PCs commit to cutting 10 cents off the price at the gas pumps but can't/won't say how they'll make up the $1 billion gap i...
2018-05-1716 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race May 15, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? Day 7: Here we are at the quarter turn in this election race and the latest Ipsos polling reinforces what Dave and John have been saying the past few days. This has quickly turned in to a race between the NDP and the PCs. Doug Ford's T...
2018-05-1615 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race May 14, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? Day 6: The Liberals and the NDP tripped over their own messages today and ended up having to respond to the media's agenda. Ford was on message but still isn't ready to cost out his promises. The primary motivation for the large majority of voters is...
2018-05-1516 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race May 13, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? Day 5: Do the math. Andrea Horwath's NDP may have momentum in Ontario Election 2018 but does she have enough racetrack to overtake Doug Ford's PCs?You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)Follow D...
2018-05-1416 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race May 12, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? Day 4: Is this already shaping up as a run off between the Andrea Horwath's NDP and Doug Ford's PCs? A new poll is suggesting an "anti-Ford" movement is gaining some momentum.You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (B...
2018-05-1409 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race May 11, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? Day 3. PC leaders Doug Ford still like's Premier Wynne's smile and NDP leader Andrea Horwath was in her stomping grounds during today's debate on Northern Ontario issues.You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)
2018-05-1215 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race May 10, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? On Day 2: Who would have thought a Progressive Conservative Leader ever would have been talking about a tax cut for the middle class on the same day he highlighted a broad ranging child care program. Does an endorsement from a major teachers' union give the N...
2018-05-1117 minOn The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastThe Writ Race May 9, 2018Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign?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 t...
2018-05-1012 min