The Toronto Sun likes to blast the “unelected” public health officials informing pandemic policy in Ontario. But who's really calling the shots in Doug Ford's government? Allison and Jonathan look at the sway held by pollster Nick Kouvalis and PC campaign manager Kory Teneycke. Not only are they unelected — they don't even work there.This episode is sponsored by Rotman's Executive Leadership Online and Canadian Politics Is Boring. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep. 36 - Kory & Nick: The Backroom Boys

A monthly podcast grappling with the reality of four more infuriating years with the Fords and what that means for Ontario. Hosted by Allison Smith and Jonathan Goldsbie. 







 
 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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The next provincial election is two years away, but to turn on your TVs, you’d think we were in the midst of one. Flush with cash, Doug Ford’s party is taking out ads attempting to cast the premier as cuddly and contrite. Meanwhile, the Ontario NDP is going all in on the weird side of TikTok, churning out videos so assertively surreal as to approach the level of art.
This month, Allison and Jonathan don their leotards and consider Ontario politics’ new experimental era.
Hosts: Jonathan Goldsbie, Allison Smith Credits: Kattie Laur (Producer), Karyn Pugliese (Editor in Chief), Nathan Burley (Music)
Sponsors: Douglas
You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music - included with Prime.
If you value this podcast, support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. 
Want your audio story on CANADALAND? Submissions for the Local Correspondent Audio Contest are now open! To learn more, visit canadaland.com/audiocontest and follow @CanadaLabs on Instagram to stay in the loop
Socials: Jonathan Goldsbie on Bluesky: @goldsbie.bsky.social  Allison Smith on Twitter: @queensparktoday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Sh*t is Banana Cats

Judicial independence is a foundational principle of Canadian democracy. Doug Ford sees it as an obstacle to be overcome. Because if he can’t appoint “like-minded” judges to mercilessly punish criminals, then is it really justice? Why should judges have discretion to… judge?
This month, Allison and Jonathan look at the itty-bitty constitutional crisis that Doug Ford has sparked, through his doubling, tripling, quadrupling, and even quintupling down.
Hosts: Jonathan Goldsbie, Allison Smith Credits: Kattie Laur (Producer), Karyn Pugliese (Editor in Chief), Nathan Burley (Music)
Sponsors: Douglas
You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music - included with Prime.
If you value this podcast, support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. 
Socials: Jonathan Goldsbie on Bluesky: @goldsbie.bsky.social  Allison Smith on Twitter: @queensparktoday

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dougie Went a-Courtin'

At this time of year, we’d normally pine for spring. But nowadays, that means wildfire season. And it’s only a matter of time before British Columbia’s new normal becomes Ontario’s as well — yet we’re not nearly as well-prepared.
Doug Ford’s not too big on acknowledging a connection with climate change. But even more surprising is that his government has barely spoken about wildfires at all, let alone adequately invested in fighting them.
As Allison and Jonathan look out toward our orange, hazy future, they talk to Noah Freedman and Mark Belanger, forest-fire veterans with leadership roles in OPSEU, about what it will take to restore the fire-fighting capacity that Mike Harris incinerated.
Hosts: Jonathan Goldsbie, Allison Smith
Credits: Kattie Laur (Producer), Karyn Pugliese (Editor in Chief), Nathan Burley (Music)
Sponsors: Douglas
You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music - included with Prime.
If you value this podcast, support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. 
Socials: Jonathan Goldsbie on Bluesky: @goldsbie.bsky.social  Allison Smith on Twitter: @queensparktoday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where the Wildfires Are

Doug Ford plans to uproot the Ontario Science Centre from the iconic Don Mills home it’s occupied since 1969. But what is the Science Centre other than its iconic Don Mills home?
On a blustery afternoon, Allison and Jonathan traipse up the DVP to learn whether the dreams of their 90s childhoods are still alive in North York. They say you can’t go home again, but they will sell Science Centre tickets to childless adults.
Hosts: Jonathan Goldsbie, Allison Smith Credits: Kattie Laur (Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Nathan Burley (Music)
Sponsors: Douglas
You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music - included with Prime.
If you value this podcast, support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. 
Socials: Jonathan Goldsbie on Bluesky: @goldsbie.bsky.social  Allison Smith on Twitter: @queensparktoday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Journey to the Centre of the Science

We surmised that Doug Ford would punish Toronto for picking Olivia Chow as its mayor. But if anything, he seems more sympathetic to the city and its issues than before. So what gives?
This month, Allison and Jonathan look at the premier’s peculiar relationships with the leaders of Toronto, Brampton, and Mississauga — and how random grudges can animate policies that ultimately affect millions of people.
Hosts: Jonathan Goldsbie, Allison Smith Credits: Kattie Laur (Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Nathan Burley (Music)
Sponsors: Douglas
You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music - included with Prime.
If you value this podcast, support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. 
Socials: Jonathan Goldsbie on Bluesky: @goldsbie.bsky.social  Allison Smith on Twitter: @queensparktoday  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep. 36 - Kory & Nick: The Backroom Boys

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