Story Studio Network, Dave Trafford and iContact Productions
328 episodes
4 days ago
The Ledge, n: slang for the legislature. Mostly used by members of the legislative press gallery. On the Ledge posts weekly when the Ontario Legislature is sitting. But there have been times when we've had to "recall" the Ledge for an emergency session to address pressing matters of Ontario politics when Queen's Park isn't sitting!
Our OTL team includes former Ontario Premier, Kathleen Wynne, former Progressive Conservative Leader, (and Wynne's erstwhile parliamentary sparring partner), Tim Hudak, Queen's Park broadcast commentator Keith Leslie, John Wright, our veteran pollster and co-founding host, and Dave Trafford, Chief Executive Producer at Story Studio Network.
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The Ledge, n: slang for the legislature. Mostly used by members of the legislative press gallery. On the Ledge posts weekly when the Ontario Legislature is sitting. But there have been times when we've had to "recall" the Ledge for an emergency session to address pressing matters of Ontario politics when Queen's Park isn't sitting!
Our OTL team includes former Ontario Premier, Kathleen Wynne, former Progressive Conservative Leader, (and Wynne's erstwhile parliamentary sparring partner), Tim Hudak, Queen's Park broadcast commentator Keith Leslie, John Wright, our veteran pollster and co-founding host, and Dave Trafford, Chief Executive Producer at Story Studio Network.
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.
On The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast
The Ledge, n: slang for the legislature. Mostly used by members of the legislative press gallery. On the Ledge posts weekly when the Ontario Legislature is sitting. But there have been times when we've had to "recall" the Ledge for an emergency session to address pressing matters of Ontario politics when Queen's Park isn't sitting!
Our OTL team includes former Ontario Premier, Kathleen Wynne, former Progressive Conservative Leader, (and Wynne's erstwhile parliamentary sparring partner), Tim Hudak, Queen's Park broadcast commentator Keith Leslie, John Wright, our veteran pollster and co-founding host, and Dave Trafford, Chief Executive Producer at Story Studio Network.
