On The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast

HERE'S AN ADDED BONUS FOR ALL YOU ON THE LEDGE LISTENERS! 
I'm adding this week's edition of NOW&NEXT to the OTL feed
BTW: We have nearly 400 episodes of NOW&NEXT and you can find them all here.

Enjoy!

This episode of *Now and Next* brings the C.A.S.T. (Comms And Strategy Team) back together for a wide-ranging discussion on leadership, political tone, and credibility in a rapidly shifting media environment.

The conversation opens with an in-depth analysis of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Davos speech and why it continues to resonate weeks later. Panelists explore how the speech marked a clear pivot in Canada’s global posture and aligned closely with current public attitudes, as reflected in recent polling.

From there, the discussion turns to how Carney’s approach reshaped expectations for opposition leaders—particularly Pierre Poilievre—and how his Calgary speech signaled a tonal adjustment toward optimism and hope. The panel examines the emerging contrast between “global leadership” and “kitchen-table politics,” debating whether Carney can translate high-level strategy into tangible, day-to-day outcomes for Canadians.

The episode closes with a sobering look at misinformation and deepfakes, sparked by a viral but fake video attributed to Warren Buffett. The panel considers the implications for political communications, public trust, and the growing difficulty of distinguishing authenticity from manipulation in what some are calling a “post-news” era. 


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Host: Dave Trafford
Guests: Kathleen Wynne (Former Premier of Ontario), Keith Leslie (Political Analyst), John Wright (CEO, Canada Pulse Insights)

This episode of On the Ledge focuses on the future of Ontario’s auto sector amid shifting federal policy, global trade uncertainty, and evolving consumer demand. 

The panel examines Prime Minister Mark Carney’s decision to move away from rigid EV mandates while incentivizing hybrids and electric vehicles, debating whether the strategy goes far enough to protect Ontario manufacturing jobs.

The discussion highlights infrastructure gaps, affordability challenges, and the vulnerability of Canada’s auto supply chain as U.S. policy under Donald Trump disrupts long-standing trade assumptions.

The conversation broadens to Canada’s political moment, with strong public support for Carney’s leadership contrasted against instability in the federal and provincial NDP, Liberal Party leadership dynamics in Ontario, and Doug Ford’s continued electoral strength.

The episode closes with reflections on political legacy, symbolism, and leadership amid a rapidly changing global order.

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction and political context
01:25 – EV mandates, hybrids, and Ontario’s auto sector reality
08:30 – Trade disruption, USMCA uncertainty, and global market shifts
21:15 – Mark Carney, national unity, and public opinion polling
33:10 – NDP turmoil, Liberal leadership questions, and Ontario politics
56:05 – Political legacy, leadership, and Kathleen Wynne’s portrait reflections


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WE'RE BACK!

Dave Trafford, Tim Hudak, Keith Leslie and John Wright are at the OTL table!

The conversation covers a range of topics including:

• The premiers' meeting with the PM and it sounds like they're all playing nice.
• Mark Carney's leadership style is seen as a refreshing change in Canadian politics whilePierre Poilievre's leadership is under scrutiny as he faces his leadership review.
• Trade relations with the U.S. remain complex and influential on Canadian politics.
• Are the concerns about the impact of electric vehicles on Canadian manufacturing overhyped?.
• The electric vehicle market is evolving, but consumer choices are still limited.
• Innovation in the automotive sector is crucial for Canada's future.
• Navigating relationships with China is a delicate balance for Canadian leaders.

Chapters
00:00 Holiday Reflections and Personal Updates
02:51 Premiers Meeting and Regional Discord
05:56 The Impact of Electric Vehicles on Canadian Manufacturing
09:07 Mark Carney's Leadership and International Relations
11:54 The Future of Canadian Politics and Elections
14:54 The Role of the Conservative Party and Pierre Poilievre
17:50 Trade Relations and the Influence of the U.S.
20:56 The Electric Vehicle Market and Consumer Choices
23:53 The Importance of Innovation in the Auto Sector
27:12 Navigating Relationships with China
29:56 The Future of Canadian Defense and Manufacturing
33:01 Final Thoughts on Political Dynamics and Future Elections

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ENJOY THIS BONUS FEED DROP EDITION OF NOW AND NEXT!
THIS WEEK ON NOW AND NEXT

Retired RCAF Major General Scott Clancy discusses the evolving landscape of global security, the implications of American foreign policy, and Canada's role in the new world order. He emphasizes the complexities surrounding defense spending, military readiness, and the future of NATO amidst geopolitical instability. Clancy argues for the necessity of strong leadership to navigate these challenges and the importance of trust in international alliances.

Takeaways

• The world is increasingly dangerous due to shifting power dynamics.
• The American century is not necessarily over, but evolving.
• Canada's leadership on the global stage is crucial.
• Defense spending must be prioritized to ensure military readiness.
• Bureaucratic hurdles hinder effective defense procurement.
• NATO's effectiveness relies on trust among member nations.
• Geopolitical instability is a growing concern for all nations.
• Leadership is key to navigating complex defense issues.
• Public perception of defense spending impacts political decisions.
• A strong Canada is essential for global security.

Chapters
00:00 The State of Global Security
02:58 The American Century: Decline or Transformation?
05:56 Canada's Role in the New World Order
08:52 Defense Spending and Military Readiness
11:40 Navigating Complex Defense Decisions
14:49 The Future of NATO and Global Alliances
17:53 Geopolitical Instability and Its Implications


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Hello OTL listeners!

We're planning to get the gang back around the table before the end of January.

In the meantime, I thought you'd enjoy the re-boot of NOW and NEXT.

David Schultz is a professor of politcal science and and a legal expert on the U.S. Constitution. He teaches at  Hamline University in Minnesota AND he's also the Editor in Chief of the Minneapolis Times.

He brings a unique perspective to the international and domestic poltics playing out in the United States this week.

We dive into the Circus in Davos - from Canadian PM Mark Carney offiicially declaring the old world order a thing of the past to Donald Trump's insistence on the United State acquiring Greenland to his whiplash reversal in the face of opposition from NATO and Wall Street.

David also offers his perspective on the occupation of Minnesota by ICE and US Border Patrol agents. He likens it to a pending civil war.


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We ALWAYS say, things may have changed since we recorded our latest episode of On the Ledge. And we usally leave it that.

Not this week.

Hours after posting our weekly roundtable with Kathleen Wynne, John Wright, Tim Hudak and Keith Leslie, news broke at Queen's Park - news we couldn't ignore.

Ontario's Integrity Commissioner has responded to two separate complaints filed by the Opposition NDP and Liberals and has decided to launch an investigation into Labour Minister David Piccini and his handling of the controversial Skills Development Fund (SDF).

Commissioner Cathryn Motherwell’s office confirmed the investigation Thursday afternoon.

So, Dave Trafford sat down with Jessica Smith Cross, Editor-in-Chief at The Trillium to walk through the latest developments the story.

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In the final episode of the year, Dave Trafford is joined by Keith Leslie, Kathleen Wynne, John Wright, and Tim Hudak for a wide-ranging, end-of-year roundtable on Ontario and national politics. The discussion opens with sharp criticism of the Ford government’s decision to extend the legislature’s recess, raising concerns about accountability, democratic health, and the loss of pre-budget scrutiny. The panel examines fallout from the Skills Development Fund controversy, including the human consequences of funding being cut to mental-health services under OPP investigation.

Attention then turns to the Ford government’s major tourism and infrastructure push in Niagara Falls, including casinos, an observation wheel, airport expansion, and broader questions about branding, economic impact, and whether “Las Vegas North” makes sense for Ontario.

The conversation broadens to Canada–U.S. relations after Premier Doug Ford publicly says he will not travel to Florida, prompting a pointed response from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The panel explores declining Canadian travel to the U.S., symbolism versus substance, and what it signals about shifting public sentiment.

The episode closes with reflections on federal politics, Pierre Poilievre’s media performance, ongoing trade negotiations under CUSMA, and what lies ahead politically in 2026. 

Chapters & Timecodes
00:00 – Introduction & year-end setup
01:05 – Legislature extended recess & democratic accountability
10:02 – Skills Development Fund fallout and mental-health impacts
14:35 – Niagara Falls mega-tourism plan: promise and pitfalls
28:30 – Ford vs. DeSantis: Florida travel, symbolism, and Canada–U.S. tensions
50:20 – Federal politics, Poilievre, trade talks, and year-ahead outlook

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This episode finds the ON THE LEDGE panel assessing Ontario politics as the legislature heads into an unusually long nine-week winter recess. Dave Trafford is joined by political analyst Keith Leslie, former premier Kathleen Wynne, pollster John Wright, and Toronto Sun columnist Brian Lilley for a wide-ranging conversation about a government under strain, an opposition struggling to connect, and a public increasingly fatigued by political noise.

The panel digs into the Ford government’s limited sitting days, its retail-style governing approach, and the widening fallout from the Skills Development Fund scandal—now under OPP investigation. They examine why concerns about transparency and favoritism are sticking with voters, including Conservative supporters, and debate whether a cabinet shuffle, structural reform, or strategic reset is needed to rebuild credibility.

Healthcare dominates much of the discussion, especially the Ford government’s plan to expand private clinics for hip and knee surgeries. Panelists question the province’s long-term capacity to meet demand, the risk of draining talent from the public system, and the absence of a coherent strategy for primary and geriatric care.

The episode wraps with a frustrated look at Ontario’s transit saga—from the Finch LRT's early shutdowns to the endlessly delayed Eglinton Crosstown, now pushed to 2026. The panel considers whether public-private partnerships are failing large transit builds, and what systemic lessons have yet to be learned.

Chapters & Timecodes
00:00 – Introduction & Final Sitting Day
01:00 – Legislature’s Short Calendar & Governing Priorities
04:20 – Skills Development Fund Scandal & Political Impact
10:45 – Healthcare Capacity, Private Clinics & System Pressures
22:30 – OPP Investigation, Public Trust & Opposition Dynamics
32:00 – Transit Failures: Crosstown, Finch LRT & PPP Lessons

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This week on On the Ledge, Dave Trafford is joined by Keith Leslie, John Wright, Tim Hudak, and Kathleen Wynne for a wide-ranging conversation centred on the Ontario Auditor General’s annual report.

The panel digs deeply into the issues revealed around Ontario’s healthcare system—particularly physician billing, outdated OHIP technology, primary-care shortages, administrative burdens, and the lack of coherent province-wide planning for family medicine.

They explore systemic breakdowns highlighted in the AG’s findings, including mismanaged PPE procurement and expired stock, and reflect on long-standing structural weaknesses governments have failed to address since SARS and COVID-19.

The group also examines the demographic “time bomb” facing the healthcare system, the looming retirement wave among physicians, and the fiscal implications of an aging population. They debate partisan advertising thresholds after the AG flagged government-funded promotional campaigns, and they consider governance issues within Ontario’s regulatory bodies in light of the Ricoh/IPRO real estate scandal.

The episode closes with a discussion on EQAO results, support for teachers, and the political risks surrounding potential reforms to Ontario’s school boards.

CHAPTERS & TIMECODES

00:00 – Introduction & Around the Table Opening of the show; panel check-in; light conversation about dogs, calendars, and family stories.
03:00 – Auditor General’s Healthcare Findings Discussion of physician billing outliers, lack of accountability, antiquated OHIP billing technology, administrative burdens, and the failure to modernize systems.
12:00 – Primary Care Shortages & Medical Education Gaps Panel examines the AG’s concerns about family-doctor shortages, insufficient planning for medical-school seats, and the undervaluing of primary-care physicians.
16:00 – PPE Waste, Procurement Failures & COVID Lessons Not Learned Review of $1.4B in written-off PPE, expired stock, supply-chain mismanagement, and recurring systemic gaps dating back to SARS.
21:00 – Demographic Reckoning & Long-Term Healthcare Pressures Aging population, long-term care demands, fiscal strain, infrastructure needs, and the political challenges of preparing for 2035–2041.
26:00 – Government Advertising, Partisanship & Oversight Debate over the AG’s findings on $112M in government ads, non-partisan rules, auditor oversight, and the need for clearer safeguards.
35:00 – Real Estate Regulation Crisis: Ricoh & the IPRO Scandal Why the minister dissolved the Ricoh board, trust-fund failures, regulatory breakdowns and the first-ever appointment of an administrator.
41:00 – EQAO Results, Curriculum Pressures & Speculation on School Board Reform Discussion on rising but insufficient test scores, lack of teacher support for new curriculum, and hints of major governance changes ahead.



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

In this wide-ranging conversation, the roundtable begins with a deeply personal and moving story from Tim Hudak about his daughter Miller’s extraordinary journey overcoming apraxia, culminating in her powerful return to Loretto Abbey as an honour-roll speaker. That message of courage and kindness threads into a broader discussion about the need for compassion in politics—something panelists say is sorely lacking across jurisdictions.

The episode then shifts to the week’s major policy stories: the Beer Store’s proposed return-to-empties “solution,” why it fails to address convenience and recycling realities, and how closing beer stores is reshaping neighborhood waste streams. The panel breaks down the Ford government’s response, the LCBO’s absence in the system, and why most consumers’ habits make the proposed changes unworkable.

The group also analyzes the uproar over Bill 60 protests at Queen’s Park, the Premier’s controversial “get a job” remark, and what it reveals about government defensiveness, public frustration, and eroding legislative process. From there, the conversation widens to major national developments: pipeline politics, inter-provincial tensions, First Nations relationships, big-project approvals, and whether Ottawa’s sudden urgency reflects a shifting federal strategy.

The show closes with a sharp look at healthcare realities—funding pressures, demographic waves, operational failures, and the growing debate over what a sustainable system actually looks like.

Chapters & Timecodes

00:00 – Introduction & Opening Notes
Fundraising success for St. Clare Inn; introductions around the table.

02:40 – Tim Hudak’s Story: Miller’s Journey & A Call for Kindness
Tim shares an emotional account of his daughter’s perseverance, sparking a discussion about compassion in politics and society.

14:00 – Kindness, Compassion & Political Culture
Panel reflects on political polarization, U.S. border policies, and the erosion of empathy in public life.

15:30 – The Beer Store Deal: Why It’s No Deal
Reaction to beer stores agreeing to take empties back; consumer inconvenience; LCBO’s absence; Lions Club bottle-drive model; recycling system strain.

26:00 – Bill 60 Protests, Legislative Tension & “Get a Job”
Premier Ford’s remark to protesters, protester removal, and broader concerns about shrinking public consultation and legislative transparency.

36:00 – Big Projects, Pipelines & Federal–Provincial Alignment
Ring of Fire, Manitoba pipeline MOU, U.S. tariffs, Indigenous consultation challenges, and Ottawa’s accelerated pace on major files.

53:00 – Healthcare Reckoning: The Jalopy Argument
Private vs. public tensions, demographic pressures, chronic-care gaps, funding models, and what reforms will actually be required.

FULL TRANSCRIPT


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