NewsTalk 1010

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 the 25th Premier of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne, former Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader, (and Wynne’s erstwhile parliamentary sparring partner), Tim Hudak, John Wright, our veteran pollster and co-founding host, Keith Leslie, veteran Queen’s Park broadcast journalist, and Dave Trafford, Chief Executive Producer at Story Studio Network.

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Who will blink first in the Canada-US Trade War?

What the hell happened? Canada’s trade relationship with the United States has gone from tense to an all-out trade war.  In this special edition of On the Ledge with Dave Trafford, we trace how negotiations unravelled, how Donald Trump’s threatened 50% tariffs escalated the confrontation, and what the fallout could mean for Ontario workers, businesses and the auto sector. Monday, the war of words went nuclear, starting with Ontario Premier Doug Ford telling Newstalk 1010's Bill Carroll "(Trump) can kiss my ass). Tuesday, I drop in on the Gene Valaitis Show on 610 CKTB News, to update the latest in Doug Ford’s blunt response to Trump, the Presidents threat to rename Lake Ontario and the debate over whether Canada should retaliate with tariffs, energy, oil, potash and other strategic resources. We also discussion also examines the potentially devastating impact on businesses dependent on the U.S. market — and why Americans could ultimately pay through higher prices and scarcity. On Wednesday morning, former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne joins me for a deeper look at what she calls “uncharted waters.” We discuss Mark Carney’s decision to walk away from the negotiating table, Canadian sovereignty, national unity, Alberta separatism, the future of North American trade and the particular vulnerability of Ontario’s auto industry. Wynne also looks beyond Washington. As Canada tries to diversify its trading relationships, China presents both economic opportunity and significant strategic risk. And with U.S. midterm elections approaching, we ponder whether political change in Washington would actually bring Canada any closer to resolving the trade war. Chapters 00:00 — Introduction: How the Canada-U.S. Trade Deal Fell Apart Dave sets up a chaotic week that ended with 50% tariffs and an escalating trade war. 02:35 — Doug Ford, Donald Trump and the Politics of Retaliation Dave’s CKTB conversation examines Ford’s response, counter-tariffs, energy threats and the immediate risks to Canadian jobs and businesses. 16:58 — Kathleen Wynne: Canada Enters “Uncharted Waters” The former Ontario premier discusses political uncertainty, national unity, Mark Carney and Canada’s decision to walk away from the U.S. negotiations. 28:46 — Who Really Pays for a Canada-U.S. Trade War? Tariffs, product scarcity, American businesses and the escalating economic consequences on both sides of the border. 38:10 — Ontario’s Auto Industry Faces an Existential Threat Wynne and Trafford examine auto tariffs, plant investment, EV policy and whether manufacturing jobs could migrate south. 47:17 — China, Free Trade and What Comes Next As the North American trading relationship fractures, Canada confronts new opportunities — and risks — in China and other global markets. You can watch OR listen to this episode on our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@davetraffordpodcasts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">YouTube Channel </a>(Be sure to subscribe!) Follow Dave on <a href="https://facebook.com/dave.trafford.5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/davetrafford" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-trafford-06584426/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a> and<a href="https://x.com/PodcastPWR" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> X</a> And you can leave us a <a href="https://www.speakpipe.com/ontheledge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">voice comment here</a>! For more information go to <a href="https://davetrafford.com/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dave's website</a>.

August 27, 2026 at 8:53p.m. EDT

We Interrupt This Summer Recess at Queen's Park

It's an EMERGENCY SESSION of On the Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast! This special summer edition of On the Ledge breaks from the usual hiatus to examine a turbulent stretch in Ontario politics. Dave Trafford is joined by veteran Queen's Park journalists Jessica Smith Cross (Editor-in-Chief at The Trillium) and Keith Leslie , (Former Queen's Park Bureau Chief, The Canadian Press), to assess how a series of controversies has altered the political landscape heading into the fall. The discussion explores the Ford government's mounting challenges, including the fallout from the government Gravy Plane fiasco, MPP expense claims scandal, caucus tensions, declining public approval, and an increasingly "off-brand" image for Premier Doug Ford. And then...there's the federal decision to pause Billy Bishop Airport expansion, and Ford Nation's uncoordinated response - starting with a veiled threat from the province to stop the federal plans for a high speed rail corridor between Ontario and Quebec. All this while Doug Ford's government is roundly criticized for Ontario's wildfire response or lack thereof. Emergency Preparedness Minister Jill Dunlop was ill=prepared for a recent radio interview she did on As It Happens. (It was a comms disaster that cost Dunlop's press secretary her job. <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/as-it-happens/id151485559?i=1000777792763" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LISTEN TO IT HERE</a>)  And heading into August teacher contract negotiations are going nowhere, while the province's preparedness for AI data centres. The conversation analyzes how these stories have been covered by journalists, why they are resonating with the public, and what they could mean for Ontario politics when the Legislature returns this fall. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction & Summer Political Reset Dave Trafford welcomes Jessica Smith Cross and Keith Leslie for a special summer roundtable examining Ontario's biggest political stories. 02:05 – Expense Scandals, the "Gravy Plane" & Ford's Brand How MPP expense claims, leaked caucus memos and the government aircraft controversy have reshaped public perception of the Ford government. 23:45 – Billy Bishop Airport, Federal Pushback & Political Fallout The panel discusses Ottawa's decision to pause Billy Bishop expansion, provincial reactions, and the broader implications for federal-provincial relations. 35:30 – Wildfires, Forest Management & Emergency Response Ontario's record wildfire season, evacuation challenges, forestry policy and questions surrounding government preparedness. 51:45 – Looking Ahead to Fall Politics Teacher contract negotiations, AI data centre regulation, and the political issues likely to dominate Ontario's agenda when the Legislature returns. You can watch OR listen to this episode on our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@davetraffordpodcasts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">YouTube Channel </a>(Be sure to subscribe!) Follow Dave on <a href="https://facebook.com/dave.trafford.5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/davetrafford" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-trafford-06584426/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a> and<a href="https://x.com/PodcastPWR" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> X</a> And you can leave us a <a href="https://www.speakpipe.com/ontheledge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">voice comment here</a>! For more information go to <a href="https://davetrafford.com/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dave's website</a>.

July 30, 2026 at 1:30p.m. EDT

What are the REAL costs of the construction of Highway 413?

The Ontario legislature adjourned for a five month break on June 3rd - the same day opposition parties and advocates called on the province's Financial Accountability Office to review the cost to build and operate Doug Ford's pet-project Highway 413. So far, the government has refused to offer any real details. It prompts the question: What is the Ontario government hiding about Highway 413? In this episode of On the Ledge, Dave Trafford speaks with investigative journalist Paul Webster about his years-long battle to uncover the true cost of Ontario’s proposed Highway 413 project. Webster explains how Freedom of Information requests led to a major legal confrontation with the Ontario government over land acquisition records tied to the controversial highway. The conversation digs into cabinet confidentiality claims, the role of the Information Commissioner of Ontario, and why the province is spending significant legal resources fighting disclosure requests. Webster also explores the larger implications of Highway 413 — from environmental concerns and urban sprawl to developer interests and taxpayer accountability. This episode examines:<ul><li>Ontario Freedom of Information laws</li><li>Highway 413 land acquisition costs</li><li>Government transparency and accountability</li><li>Cabinet confidentiality disputes</li><li>Developer influence and land speculation</li><li>Environmental concerns surrounding Highway 413</li><li>The legal battle between the Ontario government and the Information Commissioner</li></ul>If you follow Ontario politics, infrastructure debates, environmental policy, or government accountability stories, this conversation offers an important look at one of the province’s biggest ongoing controversies. You can watch OR listen to this episode on our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@davetraffordpodcasts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">YouTube Channel </a>(Be sure to subscribe!) Follow Dave on <a href="https://facebook.com/dave.trafford.5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/davetrafford" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-trafford-06584426/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a> and<a href="https://x.com/PodcastPWR" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> X</a> And you can leave us a <a href="https://www.speakpipe.com/ontheledge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">voice comment here</a>! For more information go to <a href="https://davetrafford.com/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dave's website</a>.

June 18, 2026 at 12:00p.m. EDT