Everybody's back to work, back to business and back to school now that March Break has wrapped up in Ontario. But while the kids were out of class, Queen's Park spent most of its time and energy talking about Education. Keith Leslie, John Wright and Dave Trafford also wade back into the Autism Program. It's time for the province to make it a health care priority. It doesn't belong in 'Community Services'
Here we are into the March Break in Ontario. It means the Ledge isn't sitting this week, but there's plenty to talk about - including whether the Ford government will be able to keep its campaign promise that "no jobs will be lost" as they wrestle with the provincial deficit. Budge day is April 11! Former Queen's Park CP Bureau Chief Keith Leslie and iContact Productions Executive Producer Dave Trafford dig in on the issues.
Healthcare and Education are the two big ticket items in any provincial budget and they were front and centre this week at Queen's Park. Dart Insights CEO John Wright, Keith Leslie, former Queen's Park CP Bureau Chief Keith Leslie and iContact Productions Executive Producer Dave Trafford dig in on some of the files that made the headlines. But they also wonder two things - will Finance Minister Vic Fideli's spring budget actually be an omnibus bill that touches on all of the key issues we've see...
It has been a LONG WINTER'S NIGHT since the Ontario legislature took it's Christmas break. But we're back! Dart Insights CEO John Wright, Keith Leslie, former Queen's Park CP Bureau Chief Keith Leslie and iContact Productions Executive Producer Dave Trafford are back with On the Ledge.
Here's our 2018 year end offering! We've assembled the On The Ledge panel, Queen's Park Commentator and former Canadian Press Bureau Chief, Keith Leslie, John Wright, CEO Insight at Dart Insight and Communications, and Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions, to take a look back on what happened at the Park and a look ahead to what we can expect in the coming year.
Well, I don't think this has ever happened before. I could be wrong, but it's the first time I can recall the provincial legislature being recalled for an EMERGENCY sitting and interrupting the Christmas break at the legislature. The main issue is the concern over a possible strike by members of Ontario's Power Workers' Union, which could pitch a good deal of the province into the cold and dark over the Christmas holidays. But there is plenty of other fodder for the Opposition to feed on so we'v...
This week it’s all about Canada's first ministers. They met in Montreal to wrap up the week and that marked the end of the fall sitting for MPPs at Queen’s Park. While Premier Doug Ford was taking aim at the Prime Minister’s agenda, the Opposition was taking aim at Ford’s involvement in the hiring of the new OPP Commissioner and the appointment of a new Hydro One CEO.
We're approaching the six month mark for the Doug Ford government in Ontario and it has been a veritable sprint in the early stages of this marathon. This week it’s all about General Motors leaving Oshawa, the Premier’s battle of word with UNIFOR President Jerry Diaz, the province’s new initiative to curb Green House Emissions, and the first Tory MPP to quit the governing caucus.
More Ontario government announcements made "for the people", including welfare reforms and musings about future public transit plans. But who are "the people" benefiting? Even in the wake of the provincial economic update, it's becoming increasingly difficult to determine exactly what the Ford government stands for. John Wright, Keith Leslie and Dave Trafford say it all comes down to a failure to communicate.
The Ontario legislature took a week off but there's been plenty of activity including a cabinet shuffle, the fall Economic Update, the publication of Patrick Brown's tell-all book and new polling that suggests the shine may be coming off the Tories and the NDP.
Lots to talk about on the education file in Ontario politics with the new provincial government pulling the pin on three new university campuses in the GTA. A decision to roll back Liberal labour reforms sparked protests and death threats targeting Tories And then, there is the carbon tax. The Prime Minister not only weighed in, he scheduled a photo op in Premier Ford's backyard.
Did you know the Sex Ed consultations were going on? You're not alone. We also get a hint this week of how the Ford government might be handling the issue of slot machines at horse race tracks across the province. And John Wright has some new numbers on the Premier's popularity four months after he led the Progressive Conservatives to a majority government at Queen's Park.
The Ontario legislature was quiet this week, thanks to the Thanksgiving holiday, but there was no shortage of activity at the Park. We had announcements on the cannabis file, healthcare, and more on the price of beer. (Pretty soon they'll be paying you to take the beer!) It also included some speculation on Premier Ford's political ambitions.
Here we are approaching the first 100 days for the Ford government in Ontario and the agenda continues to be dominated by commitments to undo initiatives launched by the previous Liberal government. That includes repealing a labour law that guarantees equal pay and time off for part-timers. The Health care review panel was announced - aimed at ending hallway healthcare. The Premier was also demanding the federal government take care on Ontario dairy farmers after coming to terms on a revamped tr...
It almost felt like a 'business as usual' week at Queen's Park - the 8th week in the legislature since the Doug Ford Tories won a majority government back in June. They managed to tick off a number of boxes - promises made-promises kept: including moves to kill the Green Energy Act, stopping the minimum wage increase and putting the brakes the Drive Clean program. But then there was the Cannabis file, plans to probe the Wynne government's handling of the finances and Doug Ford's photo with Faith...
It's been another week that's felt like a month at Queen's Park - probably because there was no real break. MPP's sat through the weekend including a Sunday midnight sitting that rolled into Monday morning trying to speed up legislation aimed at reducing the size of Toronto's City Council. The Bill included section 33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a.k.a, the Notwithstanding Clause. The outcome? The Court of Appeal ruled Wednesday that Bill 5, (the original bill) is constitutional - so n...
It's earlier than expected, but Queen's Park is back and some would say 'with a vengence'. Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions, John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications, and veteran Queen's Park journalist, Keith Leslie take their weekly look at Ontario politics from their perch "On the Ledge". The Ontario Superior Court ruling that overturned BILL 5...has been met with brute constitutional force. Premier Ford came out swinging - determined to ensure th...
The summer session at Queen's Park has wrapped up after five busy, if not chaotic weeks that include a long laundry list of legislative tasks accomplished by the new provincial government led by rookie MPP Doug Ford. Premier Ford faces New Democratic Leader Andrea Horwath as the leader of the Official Opposition in the legislature. They may be barely 'two sword lengths' apart in the House, but they are miles apart on what they think is best for the province. Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of ...
The Writ Race has been run and Ontarians elected a new Progressive Conservative majority government on June 7, 2018 - led by rookie MPP Doug Ford. Premier Ford faces New Democratic Leader Andrea Horwath as the leader of the Official Opposition in the legislature. They may be barely 'two sword lengths' apart in the House, but they are miles apart on what they think is best for the province. Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions, John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and C...
The Writ Race has been run and Ontarians elected a new Progressive Conservative majority government on June 7, 2018 - led by rookie MPP Doug Ford. Premier Ford faces New Democratic Leader Andrea Horwath as the leader of the Official Opposition in the legislature. They may be barely 'two sword lengths' apart in the House, but they are miles apart on what they think is best for the province. Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions, John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and C...
The Writ Race has been run and Ontarians elected a new Progressive Conservative majority government on June 7, 2018 - led by rookie MPP Doug Ford. Premier Ford faces New Democratic Leader Andrea Horwath as the leader of the Official Opposition in the legislature. They may be barely 'two sword lengths' apart in the House, but they are miles apart on what they think is best for the province. Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions, John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and C...
The Writ Race has been run and Ontarians elected a new Progressive Conservative majority government on June 7, 2018 - led by rookie MPP Doug Ford. Premier Ford faces New Democratic Leader Andrea Horwath as the leader of the Official Opposition in the legislature. They may be barely 'two sword lengths' apart in the House, but they are miles apart on what they think is best for the province. Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions, John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and C...
Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? ELECTION DAY:It's ALL OVER! Ontario is officially FordNation. Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservatives won a majority government with 40% of the popular vote. ...
Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 29:There is a certain breathlessness about this final day on the campaign trail prior to voting day. Each of the party leaders playing the game trying to rall...
Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 28: It's hard to see how the NDP can win this election. One day left in the campaign and Andrea Horwath's New Democrats remain tied with Doug Ford's PC's in t...
Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 27: The public is still catching up to the Liberal bombshell that was dropped on DAY 25. But the campaigns are reacting. Kathleen Wynne is focusing her attent...
Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 26:It's the first day of full campaigning following Kathleen Wynne's unprecedented election tactic - conceding that she as the incumbent Premier of the provin...
Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 25: Okay! Nobody saw that coming. Liberal leaders Kathleen Wynne admits her party's not going to win the June 7 election and the best she can hope is that vot...
Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 24: June 1st marks the beginning of Pride Month in Toronto yet, Doug Ford seems un-prepared when asked whether he will march in the Pride Parade at the end of...
Thirty days. Thirty podcasts! Dave Trafford, Executive Producer of iContact Productions and John Wright, CEO - Insight of Dart Insight and Communications take a daily swipe at the Ontario campaign until election day on June 7th. They chase the race and follow the leaders. What should you expect? What didn't you expect in this campaign? DAY 23:One week until ELECTION DAY in Ontario and the only thing that appears clear is that the Liberals are highly unlikely to extend their 15 years in office at...
