This week on On The Ledge, Dave Trafford, Kathleen Wynne, and Tim Hudak dive into a true curbside controversy: the disappearance of local Beer Stores has pushed mountains of bottles into blue bins—and Ontarians want to know why the LCBO isn’t taking responsibility. With Beer Stores closing and grocery stores refusing bottle returns, residents are losing deposits, recycling systems are strained, and small retailers are being asked to handle a volume they can’t manage. 

Wynne calls the situation “unnecessary grief” caused by rushed alcohol-expansion policy with “no planning,” while Hudak argues the LCBO should be part of the solution since it distributes the majority of alcohol containers.

The conversation deepens into the broader failures of Ontario’s recycling and blue box programs, the lack of coordinated environmental strategy, and the incentives required to rebuild a functioning return system. The panel also reflects on the unintended social impacts—from people collecting bottles for survival to community bottle drives stepping in to fill the gap.

From there, the group explores the latest drama at Queen’s Park: NDP Leader Marit Stiles being ejected from the Legislature, political tactics in Question Period, and evolving public sentiment around the Skills Development Fund scandal. The episode closes with a look at proposed legislation on sex offender registry access, impaired-driving child-support obligations, and shifting conversations about public vs. private healthcare delivery.

Chapters & Timecodes
00:00 – Introduction & Opening Banter
02:00 – Ontario’s Bottle-Return Breakdown & LCBO Accountability
09:00 – Recycling System Failures, Incentives & Environmental Planning
14:00 – Social Impact: Bottle Collectors, Community Drives & Lost Deposits
15:00 – Marit Stiles Ejection, Legislature Tactics & the Skills Development Fund
34:00 – Sex Offender Registry Proposal, Impaired-Driving Liability & Healthcare Debate

TRANSCRIPT


You can watch 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.

Host: Dave Trafford
Guests:
• Tim Hudak – Partner, Counsel Public Affairs; former Ontario PC Leader
• Keith Leslie – Political Commentator, CH Television
• Kathleen Wynne – Former Premier of Ontario

On this week’s episode of On the Ledge, Dave Trafford and the panel dig into what was supposed to be a quiet off-week at Queen’s Park — only to discover a flood of political controversies and policy battles.

The conversation begins with birthday celebrations for Neil Young and Trafford’s grandson, before pivoting to the expanding scandal tied to the Skills Development Fund. The panel dissects the province’s revelation that a 2023 forensic audit uncovered accounting “irregularities,” now referred to the OPP, and what this means for Labour Minister David Piccini and Premier Ford’s cabinet stability.

The group then unpacks the Fall Economic Statement, debating the government’s messaging around deficits, tariffs, and investments — and whether Ontario's spending priorities fail to address critical pressures in education, post-secondary institutions, and climate policy. A detailed discussion follows on the province’s renewed push for a $9.1-million feasibility study for a 401 tunnel, alongside broader questions about the Ring of Fire, Indigenous partnerships, and the massive infrastructure challenges facing Northern Ontario.

Rounding out the episode, the panel tackles the Ford government’s moves on education governance and conservation authorities. With Bill 33 centralizing power the roundtable questions transparency, local accountability, and the government’s growing pattern of sidelining community-based institutions.

Chapters & Timecodes
00:00 – Introduction & Neil Young’s 80th Birthday
Lighthearted opening, birthdays, and memories.

03:15 – Skills Development Fund Scandal Escalates
Audit “irregularities,” OPP referral, political fallout, and cabinet risks.

10:00 – Fall Economic Statement & Ontario’s Fiscal Outlook
Deficits, tariffs, spending priorities, and sector impacts.

18:35 – 401 Tunnel Feasibility & Major Infrastructure Projects
$9.1M study, withheld earlier reports, and unrealized investments.

24:40 – Ring of Fire, Indigenous Partnerships & Northern Development
Economic potential, social challenges, road access, and equity stakes.

41:00 – Education Governance, Streaming Bans & Bill 33
School board powers, parental access, centralization of authority.

47:00 – Conservation Authorities & Local Decision-Making
Cuts from 36 to 7 authorities, mandate concerns, process questions.

54:00 – Closing Notes & What’s Ahead at Queen’s Park

TRANSCRIPT

You can watch 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.

Host: Dave Trafford
Guests: Kathleen Wynne (former Ontario Premier), Tim Hudak (Partner, Counsel Public Affairs; former Ontario PC Leader), Keith Leslie (Political Analyst, CHCH), John Wright (CEO, Canada Pulse Insights)

In this week’s episode, Dave Trafford and the On The Ledge panel unpack the political and policy fallout from Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first federal budget—and the Ford government’s deepening Skills Development Fund scandal.

Kathleen Wynne argues that Carney’s budget, while understated, delivers transformative long-term investments in infrastructure and economic development.

Tim Hudak says the budget “shows trees, but no forest,” lacking a unifying vision for the post-tariff economy.

Keith Leslie calls it a gamble on private-sector confidence, while John Wright warns the government’s narrative is missing “a political bone” to connect with struggling Canadians.

Then, the panel reacts to The Trillium’s explosive reporting on the Skills Development Fund—a $10-million grant linked to a venue now licensed as a strip club.

Journalist guests Jessica Smith Cross and Charlie Pinkerton explain how their investigative work exposed a pattern of questionable grants and Tory-connected recipients. The group debates Minister David Piccini’s future, Premier Ford’s handling of the controversy, and the broader question of accountability and cronyism at Queen’s Park.

From the budget’s muted ambitions to a political scandal with burlesque undertones, this episode captures an Ontario government under siege—caught between defending its process and salvaging its credibility.

Chapters & Timecodes
00:00 – Introduction & Panel Welcome
02:00 – Reactions to the Carney Budget
14:00 – Ottawa vs. Queen’s Park: Competing Narratives
33:00 – The Floor Crossing Fallout
43:00 – The Skills Development Fund Scandal: The Trillium’s Reporting
1:08:00 – Political Consequences & Closing Thoughts

You can watch 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.

October 29, 2025
Host: Dave Trafford
Guests: Kathleen Wynne, John Wright, Keith Leslie
Featured Interview: Neil Hetherington, CEO, Daily Bread Food Bank


In this wide-ranging roundtable, Dave Trafford is joined by former Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne, pollster John Wright, and journalist Keith Leslie to unpack a week of political turbulence—from Premier Doug Ford’s Reagan-themed U.S. trade ad and the resulting tariff tantrum from Washington, to the Ontario government’s omnibus legislation blitz at Queen’s Park.

The panel explores how Ford’s “Captain Canada” messaging has inflamed an already volatile Canada–U.S. trade climate and whether Ottawa and Queen’s Park are working from the same playbook. Wynne argues for federal-provincial coordination; Wright warns about “freelancing premiers”; and Leslie questions the political wisdom of running ads that “poke the bear” during the World Series.

Later, the discussion turns to Ontario’s new omnibus bills—from scrapping speed cameras to raising political donation limits—provoking questions about transparency, committee work, and the government’s appetite for real debate.

In the second half, Dave sits down with Neil Hetherington of the Daily Bread Food Bank to dissect this year’s Who’s Hungry report: food-bank visits in Toronto have hit 4.1 million, a 340 percent increase since 2019, with one in ten Torontonians relying on food banks. The panel weighs policy failures, stagnant wages, and corporate responsibility amid record profits.
They close by reflecting on poverty as an economic indicator and the political will required to address it—while predicting that both trade tensions and food insecurity will worsen before they improve.

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction – Dave sets the agenda: trade, tariffs, legislation, and hunger
02:00 – Ford’s U.S. ad and the tariff fallout
09:45 – Ottawa’s silence and the coordination gap
20:00 – Inside Queen’s Park: Omnibus politics and missed debate
37:00 – Neil Hetherington on Toronto’s hunger crisis
53:00 – Policy, poverty, and political accountability

You can watch 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.

We recorded this week's show about 12 hours before Donald Trump flew off his social media handle and trashed the Canada-US trade talks because of Ontario's anti-tariff ads running on US networks.

For the sake of context this version of this week's show...includes commentary around Trump's antics and what Doug Ford may...or may not do about it.

Otherwise...here's the show.

ON THE LEDGE – YOUR ONTARIO POLITICS PODCAST

Host: Dave Trafford
Guests: Keith Leslie (CH Television), Tim Hudak (Partner, Counsel Public Affairs; former Ontario PC leader), John Wright (CEO, Canada Pulse Insights)

Dave Trafford is joined by Keith Leslie, Tim Hudak, and John Wright for a lively roundtable that begins with the soaring cost of World Series tickets and quickly pivots into a sharp political discussion about Doug Ford’s government.

Hudak shares his perspective as a former Consumer Minister on the futility of policing ticket resellers, while Wright and Leslie explore how technology, bots, and lax regulation have transformed ticket scalping into a billion-dollar business.

The panel then dissects fresh polling data revealing Ford’s surprising strength in Toronto and the GTA—numbers showing nearly half of Torontonians approving of his performance, particularly on populist issues such as speed cameras and school trustees.

The conversation deepens with the week’s political firestorm: the Auditor General’s revelations about the Skills Development Fund, questions surrounding Labour Minister David Piccini, and fresh allegations from “Mr. X” in the ongoing Greenbelt saga. Jessica Smith Cross of The Trillium joins the episode with her reporting, laying out the connections between political insiders, lobbying, and taxpayer dollars.

The crew debates whether these controversies expose a deeper issue of cronyism and complacency within the Ford government, or simply the growing pains of a long-serving administration.
The episode closes with reflections on accountability, transparency, and the political costs of loyalty—ending with a consensus that the Ford government’s biggest risk now isn’t its policies, but its optics.

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction & World Series Ticket Shock
06:00 – Polling the GTA: Ford’s Populist Edge
14:00 – The Speed Camera Debate: Cash Grab or Safety Tool?
31:00 – The Skills Development Fund Scandal & Mr. X Allegations
46:00 – Cronyism, Transparency, and Political Fallout
52:00 – Closing Thoughts





You can watch 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.

ON THE LEDGE – YOUR ONTARIO POLITICS PODCAST

Host: Dave Trafford
Guests: Keith Leslie (CH Television), Tim Hudak (Partner, Counsel Public Affairs; former Ontario PC leader), John Wright (CEO, Canada Pulse Insights)

Dave Trafford is joined by Keith Leslie, Tim Hudak, and John Wright for a lively roundtable that begins with the soaring cost of World Series tickets and quickly pivots into a sharp political discussion about Doug Ford’s government.

Hudak shares his perspective as a former Consumer Minister on the futility of policing ticket resellers, while Wright and Leslie explore how technology, bots, and lax regulation have transformed ticket scalping into a billion-dollar business.

The panel then dissects fresh polling data revealing Ford’s surprising strength in Toronto and the GTA—numbers showing nearly half of Torontonians approving of his performance, particularly on populist issues such as speed cameras and school trustees.

The conversation deepens with the week’s political firestorm: the Auditor General’s revelations about the Skills Development Fund, questions surrounding Labour Minister David Piccini, and fresh allegations from “Mr. X” in the ongoing Greenbelt saga. Jessica Smith Cross of The Trillium joins the episode with her reporting, laying out the connections between political insiders, lobbying, and taxpayer dollars.

The crew debates whether these controversies expose a deeper issue of cronyism and complacency within the Ford government, or simply the growing pains of a long-serving administration.
The episode closes with reflections on accountability, transparency, and the political costs of loyalty—ending with a consensus that the Ford government’s biggest risk now isn’t its policies, but its optics.

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction & World Series Ticket Shock
06:00 – Polling the GTA: Ford’s Populist Edge
14:00 – The Speed Camera Debate: Cash Grab or Safety Tool?
31:00 – The Skills Development Fund Scandal & Mr. X Allegations
46:00 – Cronyism, Transparency, and Political Fallout
52:00 – Closing Thoughts




You can watch 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.

As Queen’s Park returns from its extended break, host Dave Trafford gathers the OTL panel — former Ontario Premier, the Honourable Kathleen Wynne,  former Ontario PC leader, the Honourable Tim Hudak, veteran pollster John Wright, and CH TV commentator Keith Leslie — to dissect a turbulent week in Ontario politics. 

The conversation opens with the Stellantis decision to move Jeep Compass production from Brampton to Illinois — a move sparking outrage, legal threats, and anxiety about the province’s manufacturing future under a resurgent Trump trade agenda. The panel debates the economic and geopolitical implications for Canada’s auto industry and the broader economy.

From there, the discussion shifts to healthcare, where the Ford government claims major gains in connecting Ontarians with primary care. The group questions the data, explores the roots of Ontario’s family doctor shortage, and debates the push toward privatization versus preserving public healthcare.
Finally, attention turns to Premier Ford’s “Home Depot confrontation” story — an anecdote that, while amusing to some, raises serious questions about leadership, temperament, and the government’s focus as the legislature resumes.

Chapters
00:00 – IntroductionDave Trafford welcomes back the OTL roundtable ahead of the fall legislative session.
03:45 – Stellantis Shock and Auto Sector FalloutFord and Carney brace for impact as Stellantis pulls production south; Wynne, Hudak, Wright, and Leslie assess the economic and political damage.
17:00 – Ontario’s Healthcare Reality CheckThe government touts progress on family doctor access — the panel questions the numbers and the deeper system failures.
37:00 – Doug Ford’s “Home Depot Hero” StoryThe Premier’s vigilante tale goes viral. The panel weighs the optics, the risks, and the erosion of message discipline.
50:00 – The Bigger Picture: Leadership and VisionAs Queen’s Park reopens, the hosts ask: what’s Ford’s long-term plan beyond political theatre?

TRANSCRIPT


You can watch 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.

Dave Trafford welcomes back the full panel — former Premier Kathleen Wynne, former PC leader Tim Hudak, veteran journalist Keith Leslie, and pollster John Wright — for a fall political reset at Queen’s Park. The conversation opens with reflections on the late Jim Bradley, the long-serving Ontario Liberal who embodied integrity, bipartisanship, and a deep respect for public service. The panel shares personal memories and stories that capture Bradley’s “old-school” approach and his remarkable 55 years in elected office.

From there, the discussion shifts to the state of Ontario’s major parties ahead of the legislature’s return. Wynne assesses the Liberal leadership race, urging a timely process to give the next leader room to grow before the 2026 election. Hudak credits Bonnie Crombie for rebuilding the party infrastructure despite her short tenure, while Leslie and Wright note the Liberals’ resilience and the potential impact of generational change.

Attention then turns to the NDP, where Marit Stiles faces internal divisions, slipping poll numbers, and a crisis of relevance. The panel contrasts Ontario’s left with more pragmatic western NDP governments, questioning whether the party can reconnect with working-class voters.

Finally, the team examines Premier Doug Ford’s enduring popularity, exploring how his populist instincts and “Captain Canada” persona resonate across the province, even as critics fault him for weak policy and performative politics. With the legislature set to resume, the conversation sets the stage for an intense fall session dominated by affordability pressures, the Auditor General’s reports, and the evolving federal–provincial dynamic.

• 00:00 – Introduction – The team reunites and celebrates The Arctic Edge awards
• 04:55 – Remembering Jim Bradley – Stories of humility, legacy, and public service
• 19:20 – Liberal Leadership Reset – The race to rebuild the party
• 30:55 – NDP in Trouble – Divisions, direction, and the struggle for relevance
• 44:10 – Ford Nation Rising – Populism, polling, and political staying power
• 59:55 – Looking Ahead – The legislature returns and new battles loom

TRANSCRIPT 

You can watch 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’s Next for the Ontario Liberal Party After Bonnie Crombie’s Resignation?

Bonnie Crombie resigns after a failed leadership review. On The Ledge panel asks: why did she step down, and who will lead the Ontario Liberals next?
In this bonus episode of On The Ledge – your Ontario politics podcast makes a special appearance on Newstalk 1010 with Moore in the Morning.

OTL Host Dave Trafford, former Premier Kathleen Wynne and former PC leader Tim Hudak, join John Moore to analyze what happened at the Ontario Liberal Party’s AGM, what the failing leadership grade (57%) means for Crombie’s legacy, and what lies ahead for the Liberals. 

Highlights
Kathleen Wynne
•    “There was a tension in the air the whole weekend about what the leadership vote was gonna be. I mean, that was undeniable.”
Tim Hudak
•    “In Bonnie Crombie’s defense, she took the Liberals back into official party status… She rebuilt their fundraising and credit to her.”
Dave Trafford
•    “The folks around Bonnie Crombie… were reading their polling from right to left as opposed to left to right because they just turned the number completely around. Their 75% ended up being 57%.”

What happened to Bonnie Crombie at the Ontario Liberal AGM?
Bonnie Crombie received just 57% support in her leadership review, far below the 70–75% her advisors predicted. By the end of the day, she announced her resignation.
Why did Bonnie Crombie resign?
Crombie acknowledged the leadership review as “a message to me” and decided it was in the party’s best interest to step aside. Kathleen Wynne emphasized it was ultimately Crombie’s decision, not caucus pressure.
What were Bonnie Crombie’s achievements as leader?
•    Restored official party status for the Liberals.
•    Rebuilt fundraising and organizational capacity.
•    Raised membership engagement after years of decline.
Why did Crombie’s leadership fail?
Dave Trafford argued that the problem was not only Crombie’s performance but also “a sense of unpreparedness around the Liberal campaign” and weak organizational support. Tim Hudak noted Crombie’s defeat in Mississauga sealed her fate against Doug Ford’s stronghold.
What’s next for the Ontario Liberals?
The panel agreed the party needs a leader with a seat in the Legislature to challenge Doug Ford directly. Potential names include:
•    Adil Shamji and Mary-Margaret McMahon from the current caucus.
•    Federal figures like Karina Gould or Nav Bains were mentioned as possible contenders.

TRANSCRIPT

You can watch 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.

On the Ledge - Your Ontario politics podcast - June 19, 2025

Host: Dave Trafford
Guests: Tim Hudak, Keith Leslie, John Wright, Kathleen Wynne

This season finale of On the Ledge dives deep into Premier Doug Ford’s tumultuous week of unscripted rants and calculated risk. The panel unpacks Ford’s inflammatory comments on bail reform and “weak-kneed judges,” his car theft anecdote, and the problematic framing of First Nations relations ahead of a high-stakes Ring of Fire meeting.

While Ford’s base seems solid—polling at record highs—the fallout from Bill 5 and its sweeping powers is far from over.

The crew also reflects on the broader political landscape, from G7 diplomacy under Prime Minister Carney to interprovincial cooperation amid economic uncertainty. As the legislature pauses for summer, unresolved tensions over Indigenous consultations, democratic transparency, and civil justice reform loom large.

Chapters & Timecodes:
00:00 – Introduction & Season Wrap-Up
Dave welcomes listeners to the season finale, marks his wedding anniversary, and outlines the summer hiatus.
01:05 – Ford’s “Hoots” and the Greenbelt Scandal
Discussion on Doug Ford’s dismissive comments about the Greenbelt, declining public interest, and polling dynamics.
07:46 – Crime, Bail, and Communication Strategy
Ford’s rant about judges and bail conditions; analyzing the political effectiveness and risk of going off-script.
23:03 – Bill 5, First Nations, and Ring of Fire Rhetoric
Panelists react to Ford’s patronizing remarks about Indigenous communities and the growing opposition to Bill 5.
39:13 – G7 Summit and Cross-Border Strategy
Praise for Mark Carney’s diplomatic performance at the G7; discussion on Canada’s realignment in global trade.
53:22 – Civil Justice Reform & Legislative Concerns
A critical look at proposed changes to Ontario’s civil litigation process and its potential unintended consequences.


You can watch 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.