It'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 Charter of Rights and Freedoms - otherwise known as the Notwithstanding Clause...to follow through on his plan to reduce Toronto City Council from 47 to 25 wards.

It'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,

The Ontario Superior Court ruling that overturned BILL 5 has been met with brute constitutional force. Premier Ford has invoked section 33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms - otherwise known as the Notwithstanding Clause -to follow through on his plan to reduce Toronto City Council from 47 to 25 wards.

The 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 Park journalist, Keith Leslie take their weekly look at Ontario politics from their perch "On the Ledge". The "Ledge" is now in recess until September 24th. That means ON THE LEDGE will be parked while the Park isn't sitting. We will be back as soon as the session resumes. In the meantime, the fifth week in the legislature was marked by another flurry of activity as the Tories put the finishing touches on BILL 5 - which reduces Toronto's City Council from 47 to 25. The government also told us how they plan to deal with cannabis sales in October AND it would appear the Premier's team took the good advice offered in Episode 4 of On The Ledge...and taken their collective foot off the gas pedal to regroup for what will be a busy and eventful Autumn at Queen's Park..

The "Ledge" is now in recess until September 24th. That means ON THE LEDGE will be parked while the Park isn't sitting. We will be back as soon as the session resumes.

In the meantime, the fifth week in the legislature was marked by another flurry of activity as the Tories put the finishing touches on BILL 5 - which reduces Toronto's City Council from 47 to 25. The government also told us how they plan to deal with cannabis sales in October.

The 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 perch "On the Ledge". We are almost through the Dog Days of Summer and there's no sign that the Ontario legislature is ready to take a break from it's 'rare' summer session following the June election. The Ford government has opened the valve on a fire hose of announcements and new initiatives, including an end to the York University strike, scrapping cap and trade, blowing out the Hydro One CEO as promised. But the new government has decided to take on Toronto City Council, gangs and gun violence, and a commitment to have buck-a-beer on a shelf near you by Labour Day. It's been an unprecedented and breathless approach for a cast of new MPPs (on both sides of the house) who haven't had much if any time to get settled in their new political skin. John, Keith and Dave say the Tories need to realize they won the election - stop the campaigning, (including the "round of the clap" that seems to accompany every ministerial news avail at the Park). Take a break from the Ledge and come up with a thoughtful plan on how they're going to prepare for the next 12 months of governing.

We are almost through the Dog Days of Summer with no sign that the Ontario legislature is ready to take a break from it's 'rare' summer session.

It's been an unprecedented and breathless approach for the new government.

John, Keith and Dave say it's time for the Tories to take a break from the Ledge and come up with a thoughtful plan on how they're going to prepare for the next 12 months of governing.

The 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 perch "On the Ledge". Week number three of this Queen's Park session started with fireworks in the Ledge over the Ford plan to downsize Toronto City Council. Both the Tories and NDP are convnced they're siding with the angels on this issue but who really cares about it beyond the 416 area? Meanwhile the Ford disruption continued. The government announced plans to cut the basic income pilot project, rolled back welfare payments and detailed their plans to launch a court battle against the federal carbon tax.

Week number three of this Queen's Park session started with fireworks in the Ledge over the Ford plan to downsize Toronto City Council. Both the Tories and NDP are convnced they're siding with the angels on this issue but who really cares about it beyond the 416 area?

Meanwhile the Ford disruption continued. The government announced plans to cut the basic income pilot project, rolled back welfare payments and detailed their plans to launch a court battle against the federal carbon tax.

The 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 perch "On the Ledge". This week, we're pleased to include Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner join us for this episode. The second full week at Queen's Park started with a show of unity in the Legislature and among governments of all levels as the City of Toronto came to terms with a mass shooting on Danforth Ave late Sunday night. But by the end of the week Doug Ford went from being 'cheerleader in Chief" for Toronto to political enemy number one when he announced his plans to cut City Council in half...and he's going to do it now...in the middle of the municipal campaign.

The second full week at Queen's Park started with a show of unity in the Legislature and among governments of all levels as the City of Toronto came to terms with a mass shooting on Danforth Ave late Sunday night. But by the end of the week Doug Ford went from being 'cheerleader in Chief" for Toronto to political enemy number one when he announced his plans to cut City Council in half...and he's going to do it now...in the middle of the municipal campaign.