What the hell happened?

Canada’s trade relationship with the United States has gone from tense to an all-out trade war. 

In this special edition of On the Ledge with Dave Trafford, we trace how negotiations unravelled, how Donald Trump’s threatened 50% tariffs escalated the confrontation, and what the fallout could mean for Ontario workers, businesses and the auto sector.

Monday, the war of words went nuclear, starting with Ontario Premier Doug Ford telling Newstalk 1010's Bill Carroll "(Trump) can kiss my ass).

Tuesday, I drop in on the Gene Valaitis Show on 610 CKTB News, to update the latest in Doug Ford’s blunt response to Trump, the Presidents threat to rename Lake Ontario and the debate over whether Canada should retaliate with tariffs, energy, oil, potash and other strategic resources.

We also discussion also examines the potentially devastating impact on businesses dependent on the U.S. market — and why Americans could ultimately pay through higher prices and scarcity.

On Wednesday morning, former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne joins me for a deeper look at what she calls “uncharted waters.” We discuss Mark Carney’s decision to walk away from the negotiating table, Canadian sovereignty, national unity, Alberta separatism, the future of North American trade and the particular vulnerability of Ontario’s auto industry.

Wynne also looks beyond Washington. As Canada tries to diversify its trading relationships, China presents both economic opportunity and significant strategic risk. And with U.S. midterm elections approaching, we ponder whether political change in Washington would actually bring Canada any closer to resolving the trade war.

Chapters
00:00 — Introduction: How the Canada-U.S. Trade Deal Fell Apart
Dave sets up a chaotic week that ended with 50% tariffs and an escalating trade war.
02:35 — Doug Ford, Donald Trump and the Politics of Retaliation
Dave’s CKTB conversation examines Ford’s response, counter-tariffs, energy threats and the immediate risks to Canadian jobs and businesses.
16:58 — Kathleen Wynne: Canada Enters “Uncharted Waters”
The former Ontario premier discusses political uncertainty, national unity, Mark Carney and Canada’s decision to walk away from the U.S. negotiations.
28:46 — Who Really Pays for a Canada-U.S. Trade War?
Tariffs, product scarcity, American businesses and the escalating economic consequences on both sides of the border.
38:10 — Ontario’s Auto Industry Faces an Existential Threat
Wynne and Trafford examine auto tariffs, plant investment, EV policy and whether manufacturing jobs could migrate south.
47:17 — China, Free Trade and What Comes Next
As the North American trading relationship fractures, Canada confronts new opportunities — and risks — in China and other global markets.


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It's an EMERGENCY SESSION of On the Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast!

This special summer edition of On the Ledge breaks from the usual hiatus to examine a turbulent stretch in Ontario politics.

Dave Trafford is joined by veteran Queen's Park journalists Jessica Smith Cross (Editor-in-Chief at The Trillium) and Keith Leslie , (Former Queen's Park Bureau Chief, The Canadian Press), to assess how a series of controversies has altered the political landscape heading into the fall.

The discussion explores the Ford government's mounting challenges, including the fallout from the government Gravy Plane fiasco, MPP expense claims scandal, caucus tensions, declining public approval, and an increasingly "off-brand" image for Premier Doug Ford.

And then...there's the federal decision to pause Billy Bishop Airport expansion, and Ford Nation's uncoordinated response - starting with a veiled threat from the province to stop the federal plans for a high speed rail corridor between Ontario and Quebec.

All this while Doug Ford's government is roundly criticized for Ontario's wildfire response or lack thereof. Emergency Preparedness Minister Jill Dunlop was ill=prepared for a recent radio interview she did on As It Happens. (It was a comms disaster that cost Dunlop's press secretary her job. LISTEN TO IT HERE) 

And heading into August teacher contract negotiations are going nowhere, while the province's preparedness for AI data centres.

The conversation analyzes how these stories have been covered by journalists, why they are resonating with the public, and what they could mean for Ontario politics when the Legislature returns this fall.

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction & Summer Political Reset
Dave Trafford welcomes Jessica Smith Cross and Keith Leslie for a special summer roundtable examining Ontario's biggest political stories.
02:05 – Expense Scandals, the "Gravy Plane" & Ford's Brand
How MPP expense claims, leaked caucus memos and the government aircraft controversy have reshaped public perception of the Ford government.
23:45 – Billy Bishop Airport, Federal Pushback & Political Fallout
The panel discusses Ottawa's decision to pause Billy Bishop expansion, provincial reactions, and the broader implications for federal-provincial relations.
35:30 – Wildfires, Forest Management & Emergency Response
Ontario's record wildfire season, evacuation challenges, forestry policy and questions surrounding government preparedness.
51:45 – Looking Ahead to Fall Politics
Teacher contract negotiations, AI data centre regulation, and the political issues likely to dominate Ontario's agenda when the Legislature returns.



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The Ontario legislature adjourned for a five month break on June 3rd - the same day opposition parties and advocates called on the province's Financial Accountability Office to review the cost to build and operate Doug Ford's pet-project Highway 413.

So far, the government has refused to offer any real details.

It prompts the question: What is the Ontario government hiding about Highway 413?

In this episode of On the Ledge, Dave Trafford speaks with investigative journalist Paul Webster about his years-long battle to uncover the true cost of Ontario’s proposed Highway 413 project.

Webster explains how Freedom of Information requests led to a major legal confrontation with the Ontario government over land acquisition records tied to the controversial highway.

The conversation digs into cabinet confidentiality claims, the role of the Information Commissioner of Ontario, and why the province is spending significant legal resources fighting disclosure requests.

Webster also explores the larger implications of Highway 413 — from environmental concerns and urban sprawl to developer interests and taxpayer accountability. This episode examines:

• Ontario Freedom of Information laws
• Highway 413 land acquisition costs
• Government transparency and accountability
• Cabinet confidentiality disputes
• Developer influence and land speculation
• Environmental concerns surrounding Highway 413
• The legal battle between the Ontario government and the Information Commissioner

If you follow Ontario politics, infrastructure debates, environmental policy, or government accountability stories, this conversation offers an important look at one of the province’s biggest ongoing controversies.

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Ontario’s commercial property tax system is broken and it's costing business across the province tens of millions of dollars A YEAR. And all because of the municipal assessment policies set at Queen's Park. Premier Doug Ford knows there's a problem, yet has done nothing about it since taking office in 2018.

In this episode of On the Ledge - your Ontario Politics Podcast, Dave Trafford sits down with property tax advocate Paul Sullivan to unpack the hidden consequences of Ontario’s decade-long property assessment freeze.

Sullivan argues that because Ontario properties are still being assessed using 2016 values, the province has created a distorted and increasingly unfair tax system — especially for small businesses. While municipal budgets and tax rates continue to rise, the underlying assessments haven’t kept pace with dramatic changes in commercial real estate values, consumer behaviour, development pressures, and post-pandemic economic realities.

The conversation breaks down how “ad valorem” taxation is supposed to work, why regular reassessments matter, and how freezing assessments has shifted disproportionate tax burdens onto local retailers, restaurants, and independent businesses. Sullivan shares findings from his analysis of more than 3,000 GTA property sales and reveals that many neighbourhood businesses are unknowingly paying thousands more in property taxes than they should.

Dave and Paul also explore the broader political and economic implications: municipal dependence on property taxes, provincial reluctance to reform the system, development slowdowns, rising costs for consumers, and the erosion of trust in public finance. Despite the complexity of the issue, the discussion keeps returning to a simple question: who is really paying the price for outdated tax policy?



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This is a SPECIAL EDITIO of On the Ledge - you Ontario politics podcast. It's a "feed drop" from Newstalk 1010's Moore in the Morning.

The politics of trade, tariffs and public space all collide in this week's roundtable .

John Moore stickhandled ROUND ONE, featuring former Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak, Nexus Strategy Group CEO Marion Nader, and Story Studio Network’s Dave Trafford for a wide-ranging discussion on reports that the White House intervened to cancel meetings Premier Doug Ford had planned during his latest trip to Washington.

What does it tell us about the state of Canada-U.S. relations? Is it a negotiating tactic tied to CUSMA talks, or a signal that trade discussions are entering a more difficult phase? Dave doesn't think the "snub" was hostile at all. It suggests there may be some opportunities brewing behind closed doors.

The panel also examines Ford’s pledge to keep American alcohol off LCBO shelves until a trade deal is reached. Has Ontario’s boycott already changed consumer behaviour? And could Ontario wineries, breweries and local producers emerge as long-term winners regardless of how the trade dispute ends?

If you want smart, informed analysis of the issues shaping Ontario politics and public policy, this episode delivers plenty to think about.


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Ontario's legislature is heading into a remarkably long summer recess, but the political debates aren't cooling down.

In this episode of On the Ledge, I’m joined by Tim Hudak, Kathleen Wynne, John Wright and Keith Leslie for a wide-ranging conversation about what happens when MPPs leave Queen’s Park for nearly five months. Is this a reasonable balance between constituency work and legislative duties, or does it weaken accountability and democratic oversight?

We also dig into the growing controversy surrounding Billy Bishop Airport expansion plans, including questions about lobbying, transparency and who ultimately stands to benefit from major changes on Toronto’s waterfront.

The conversation then shifts to Ottawa, where reports of internal Liberal caucus tensions raise questions about Prime Minister Mark Carney’s leadership style and how leaders manage dissent behind closed doors.

Finally, we look ahead to Ontario’s next round of teacher negotiations, examining funding pressures, class sizes, declining enrolment, school infrastructure and what parents can expect heading into the next school year.

As always, the panel brings experience, perspective and a healthy dose of political realism to the discussion.

#OntarioPolitics #DougFord #MarkCarney #BillyBishopAirport #OntarioEducation #QueenPark #TeacherNegotiations #OnTheLedge #OntarioNews #CanadianPolitics 

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Premier Doug Ford’s latest comments about homelessness encampments and judges sparked another political firestorm — and the On the Ledge panel has a lot to say about it.

This week, Dave Trafford is joined by former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, former PC leader Tim Hudak, veteran political journalist Keith Leslie, and pollster John Wright for a wide-ranging conversation about the politics behind homelessness, addiction, encampments, and public frustration across Ontario.

The panel digs into the Waterloo Region court ruling that stalled a transit project, Ford’s escalating rhetoric toward judges, and whether governments are addressing the root causes of homelessness or simply reacting to public anger.

They also unpack the growing debate around safe consumption sites, forced treatment, and the political risks surrounding Alberta separatism and Danielle Smith’s referendum strategy.

Plus: Canada’s Saab defence negotiations, trade tensions with the U.S., the fallout from the Nate Erskine-Smith controversy inside the Ontario Liberal Party, and Caroline Mulroney’s surprise exit from provincial politics.

Sharp analysis, strong opinions, and a few laughs along the way — this week on On the Ledge.



Chapters
00:00 – Introduction and Ford’s “Wolf Howl” Moment
The panel opens with lighter conversation about Premier Ford’s now-viral wolf howl before pivoting into the week’s major political stories.
03:21 – Encampments, Courts and the Waterloo Transit Dispute
A heated discussion about the court ruling preventing the removal of a homeless encampment tied to a delayed transit project, including debate over judicial activism, constitutional rights, and municipal responsibility.
16:01 – Homelessness, Public Opinion and Social Policy Failures
The panel examines addiction policy, supervised consumption sites, stigma around homelessness, public frustration, and whether Ontario’s government is addressing root causes or simply reacting politically.
37:18 – Alberta Separatism and Referendum Politics
The group breaks down Alberta’s referendum-on-a-referendum strategy, the risks of separatist rhetoric, and the political calculations facing Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney.
44:02 – Defence Deals, Trade Tensions and Canada-U.S. Relations
Discussion turns to Canada’s Saab negotiations, F-35 procurement questions, and the broader political messaging around trade and sovereignty amid strained Canada-U.S. relations.
50:02 – Ontario Liberal Turmoil and Caroline Mulroney’s Exit
The panel reviews the Nate Erskine-Smith nomination controversy, the Ontario Liberal leadership race, and Caroline Mulroney’s decision to leave politics after years in public service.

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What should school look like in an age of AI, anxiety, disengagement, and rapid social change?

In this episode of NOW and NEXT, Dave Trafford speaks with educator and author Dr. Cinde Lock about redesigning education for a generation that needs more than standardized testing and rigid curriculum structures. Drawing on innovative programs developed at Pickering College, Dr. Lock explains how schools can connect academics to purpose, community engagement, entrepreneurship, creativity, and real-world problem solving.

The conversation explores why traditional education models are struggling to keep students engaged, how AI could help personalize learning, and why the future of school may depend on giving students greater ownership over what and how they learn.

Dave and Dr. Lock also discuss:

• Student mental health and absenteeism
• Project-based and experiential learning
• AI-assisted curriculum design
• Civic engagement and community partnerships
• Entrepreneurship, creativity, and resilience
• The future role of teachers
• Why education systems must evolve beyond industrial-age thinking

The episode also features remarkable examples of students working on homelessness awareness campaigns, environmental restoration projects, bee hive sustainability initiatives, and community advocacy efforts that produced real-world impact beyond the classroom.

Dr. Lock’s new book, Connections, Academics and Purpose: Designing the Future of School, explores how education systems can evolve to better prepare students for an uncertain future while helping them discover meaning, purpose, and confidence along the way.

Chapters
00:00 - Dave welcomes you to this special edition of On the Ledge. This episode was originally recoreded and produced for his NOW and NEXT podcast.
03:00 — Introduction: Designing the Future of School
Dave Trafford introduces Dr. Cinde Lock and the conversation about rethinking education beyond the traditional classroom model.
08:59 — Testing, Standardized Assessments and Student Anxiety
The discussion examines EQAO testing, academic pressure, and whether schools have become too focused on evaluation rather than engagement.
14:46 — AI, Personalized Learning and Student-Driven Curriculum
Dr. Lock outlines a future-facing vision where students navigate curriculum through personalized projects, mentorship, and AI-supported learning systems.
23:34 — Breaking the System: Scaling Educational Innovation
Can innovative learning models work beyond elite schools? The conversation turns to implementation, teacher culture, and public education reform.
34:08 — Real-World Learning: Homelessness, Civic Engagement and Community Impact
Students work with Blue Door and local organizations to tackle homelessness stigma, influencing public debate and local political thinking.
40:43 — Failure, Resilience and Why Real Learning Matters
From bee hive collapses to environmental restoration projects, Dr. Lock explains why experimentation, setbacks, and iteration are essential parts of meaningful education.


You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)

Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X

And you can leave us a voice comment here!

For more information go to Dave's website.

What should school look like in an age of AI, anxiety, disengagement, and rapid social change?
In this episode of NOW and NEXT, Dave Trafford speaks with educator and author Dr. Cinde Lock about redesigning education for a generation that needs more than standardized testing and rigid curriculum structures. Drawing on innovative programs developed at Pickering College, Dr. Lock explains how schools can connect academics to purpose, community engagement, entrepreneurship, creativity, and real-world problem solving.

The conversation explores why traditional education models are struggling to keep students engaged, how AI could help personalize learning, and why the future of school may depend on giving students greater ownership over what and how they learn.

Dave and Dr. Lock also discuss:

• Student mental health and absenteeism
• Project-based and experiential learning
• AI-assisted curriculum design
• Civic engagement and community partnerships
• Entrepreneurship, creativity, and resilience
• The future role of teachers
• Why education systems must evolve beyond industrial-age thinking

The episode also features remarkable examples of students working on homelessness awareness campaigns, environmental restoration projects, bee hive sustainability initiatives, and community advocacy efforts that produced real-world impact beyond the classroom.

Dr. Lock’s new book, Connections, Academics and Purpose: Designing the Future of School, explores how education systems can evolve to better prepare students for an uncertain future while helping them discover meaning, purpose, and confidence along the way.

Chapters
00:00 - Dave welcomes you to this special edition of On the Ledge. This episode was originally recoreded and produced for his NOW and NEXT podcast.

03:00 — Introduction: Designing the Future of School
Dave Trafford introduces Dr. Cinde Lock and the conversation about rethinking education beyond the traditional classroom model.
08:59 — Testing, Standardized Assessments and Student Anxiety
The discussion examines EQAO testing, academic pressure, and whether schools have become too focused on evaluation rather than engagement.
14:46 — AI, Personalized Learning and Student-Driven Curriculum
Dr. Lock outlines a future-facing vision where students navigate curriculum through personalized projects, mentorship, and AI-supported learning systems.
23:34 — Breaking the System: Scaling Educational Innovation
Can innovative learning models work beyond elite schools? The conversation turns to implementation, teacher culture, and public education reform.
34:08 — Real-World Learning: Homelessness, Civic Engagement and Community Impact
Students work with Blue Door and local organizations to tackle homelessness stigma, influencing public debate and local political thinking.
40:43 — Failure, Resilience and Why Real Learning Matters
From bee hive collapses to environmental restoration projects, Dr. Lock explains why experimentation, setbacks, and iteration are essential parts of meaningful education.



You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)

Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X

And you can leave us a voice comment here!

For more information go to Dave's website.

Alberta separatism, Billy Bishop Airport expansion, Metrolinx transparency, Niagara politics, and Doug Ford’s latest infrastructure ambitions — this week’s On the Ledge covers a wide stretch of Canada’s political fault lines.

Dave Trafford is joined by former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, former Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak, pollster John Wright, and veteran political journalist Keith Leslie for a wide-ranging conversation on the political tensions shaping Ontario and the country.

Kathleen Wynne joins from Calgary with firsthand insight into the growing conversation around Alberta separation and Western alienation. The panel debates whether a referendum vote could become Canada’s version of Brexit, the role Danielle Smith is playing inside Alberta politics, and whether Ottawa is taking the threat seriously enough.

Back in Ontario, the panel breaks down the political and economic questions surrounding proposed Billy Bishop Airport expansion plans, including concerns about waterfront development, infrastructure planning, transparency, and the lack of a public business case. The discussion also explores delays tied to Metrolinx projects, Niagara’s proposed mega Ferris wheel tourism concept, and the ongoing debate over accountability and political distraction at Queen’s Park.

Plus: Niagara regional chair speculation, strong mayor powers, and a championship track-and-field story from the Hudak household to close out the show.

#OntarioPolitics #DougFord #Alberta #BillyBishop #DanielleSmith #Metrolinx #TorontoPolitics #OnTheLedge #CanadianPolitics #NiagaraFalls

Chapters

• 00:00 – Introduction and Kathleen Wynne’s Calgary observations
• 02:40 – Alberta separatism, referendum fears, and Brexit comparisons
• 15:18 – National unity, provincial politics, and Danielle Smith’s political balancing act
• 23:01 – Billy Bishop Airport expansion and Toronto referendum debate
• 36:35 – Metrolinx transparency, infrastructure delays, and the Niagara Ferris wheel
• 49:43 – Niagara regional chair politics and closing moments

You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)

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For more information go to Dave's website.