The 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 Podcast

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 referendum on leadership right across the country. Given the the voter mood, it would be easy to suggest Canadians have recognized a complete void of leadership on issues they need addressed.

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 been revived. Will the new parliament be prepared or equipped to deal with an agenda that will be dominated by national unity and sovereignty?

Justin 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 into the fight. Ford has been highly disciplined through the writ period, sitting quietly on the sidelines since the Governor General dissolved parliament on September 11th. And, it would appear, the federal Conservatives are fine with that strategy. And it became all the more pronounced when Scheer made several stops in Ontario in the past week, glad-handing and door knocking with Jason Kenney at his side. Yes, Scheer was stumping with Alberta's premier in Ontario while Doug Ford remained out of sight. Our panelists, John Wright, Partner at Dart, Keith Leslie, CH Television commentator, Dave Trafford, Executive Producer iContact Productions, and special guest Melissa Lantsman, VP Hill and Knowlton ask the question: Was it good strategy or an explicit political admission that Ford is toxic?

Well 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 decided to close their schools in the name of student safety. It's the first salvo in the public service labour negotiations for the Ford government and it happens while the legislature is in recess. And all of this happens against the back drop of a federal election campaign where team Scheer is trying to keep Premier Ford out of the view and ear shot of the media. Strike or not, this showdown will set the tone for other contract talks including the teachers' unions.

Climate 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.

The 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 the province. Education workers represented by CUPE have given the union a strong strike mandate and we're getting a better sense of the class sizes.

If 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 scheme of things, that was something of a media invented issue for the Ford Folks at Queen's Park this week. For the most part, the provincial Tories are keeping their heads low, tending to constituency work, while ministers pop up from time to time to offer some good news announcement (like the deficit isn't nearly as bad as we thought!!)

Students 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 but are already making it clear they're not satisfied with the progress, or lack thereof, at the bargaining table. John Wright, from DART C-Suite Communicators, says this may be a sign that the various public sector unions, (not just the education unions) are prepping a coordinated effort to take on the province. But is it possible for the unions to overplay their hand, creating chaos in the classroom? How patient will the Ford government be? It's shaping up to be a slow burn autumn in Ontario that could end with a bang in the new year.

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.