Story Studio Network, Dave Trafford and iContact Productions
328 episodes
1 week 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.
Host: Dave Trafford Guests: Tim Hudak, Kathleen Wynne, John Wright, Keith Leslie
This week on On the Ledge, Dave Trafford and the panel dive deep into the fallout and implications of Ontario’s controversial Bill 5. With the legislature on summer break, the political temperature rises over Indigenous consultation, environmental oversight, and the Ford government’s legislative tactics.
The conversation also ranges from pay raises and pensions for MPPs to the expectations around Mark Carney’s national leadership and the looming threat of Trump-era tariffs on Canadian steel. A thoughtful debate unfolds about trust, process, and the push for economic transformation in Ontario—and Canada.
Chapters & Timecodes 00:00 – Introduction Dave Trafford welcomes listeners and the panel shares anecdotes on family, school, and athletics before shifting to political topics.
05:00 – Reflections on Youth Sports and Educational Values A heartwarming discussion about personal growth, character-building in school sports, and their long-term impact on leadership and public service.
06:00 – The Bill 5 Debate and Indigenous Opposition A comprehensive look at the legislative chaos and political backlash surrounding Bill 5. Guests discuss environmental concerns, procedural issues, and the lack of meaningful consultation with First Nations leaders.
24:00 – MPP Pay Raises, Pensions & Honorable Titles Discussion of the quiet passage of MPP salary increases and reinstatement of the “Honorable” title, with reflections on political compensation, public service, and political optics.
36:00 – Mark Carney, Federal Alignment & Economic Anxiety The panel reviews Carney’s handling of premiers' meetings, expectations around economic recovery, and public optimism amid fiscal uncertainty and steel tariffs.
48:00 – Steel Tariffs and Regional Job Impacts Exploring the implications of 50% U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel, with a focus on Hamilton and Sault Ste. Marie. The group debates economic resilience and the possibility of a trade deal ahead of the G7.
54:00 – Closing Thoughts: Legal Reform and Federal-Provincial Harmony Discussion on proposed changes to Ontario’s civil litigation system, the need for thoughtful reform, and the rare federal-provincial consensus emerging around economic development and resource extraction
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.
