Best Icontact Podcasts (2024)

1
Who's complaining about the LCBO strike? And Joe Biden drives Dems to drink. 45:50

23h ago45:50

45:50

In this week's edition of On the Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast: Keith Leslie, John Wright and Dave Trafford lay bets on when the LCBO strike will end. The loser buys! Another report, another reason to "decommission" the Ontario Science Centre. It's become demolition by neglect. And we just can't avert our stateside gaze, rubbernecking the s…

1
The LCBO strike contingency plans are enough to drive you to drink! And we couldn't help but rubber neck Joe Biden's disastrous performance 31:06

15d ago31:06

31:06

In this edition of On the Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast: Keith Leslie and Dave Trafford dissect the fallout from Joe Biden's disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump. Also, how does the outcome of the federal by-election in Toronto-St. Paul's affect the Ontario Liberal party? Does leader Bonnie Crombie barely see the PM or does sh…

1
Marit Stiles is rallying the NDP ground game. Carolyn Parrish launches her charm offensive. And the Capital Gains Tax prevents pregnancy! 43:37

29d ago43:37

43:37

In this week's edition of On the Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast: Keith Leslie, John Wright and Dave Trafford are around the table this Friday. And they start with a shout outs to Laura Babcock and the OShow! and to Sabrina Nanji at the Queen's Park Observer. Alright, now that we've taken attendance.. This week, Marit Stiles is set to light a…

1
What better way to celebrate 6 years on the job than to take 19 week summer break? 31:39

1M ago31:39

31:39

In this edition of On the Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast. Keith Leslie, John Wright and Dave Trafford pick through the entrails of the suprise cabinet shuffle and Premier Ford's decision to recess the legislature for more than four months. Do they only serve to set the stage for an election call in the Spring of 2025? Is Stephen Lecces danci…

1
Will the Billion Dollar Booze-doggle stick to Doug Ford? And we can't ignore the Trump conviction. 40:51

2M ago40:51

40:51

In this week's edition of On the Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast - Keith Leslie, John Wright and Dave Trafford weigh in on the 34 felony convictions for Donald Trump before turning to the games at Queen's Park. The Premier was commenting on the recent shooting at a Jewish school in Toronto and, in so doing, seemingly took aim at immigrants fo…

1
Ford Nation might be winning in the court of public opinion but continues to lose in the courtroom 41:49

2M ago41:49

41:49

In this week's edition of On the Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast: It was a classic Friday Dump! The Friday afternoon before a long holiday weekend, the Ford government announces its intention to use an enhanced ministerial zoning order to cut the City of Toronto out of the planning process for Ontario Place. Also, the Ontario government 's de…

1
Congratulations to David Rider and could it be Ford Nation just doesn't like Colin D'Mello! 49:28

2M ago49:28

49:28

Ugly shirt season has begun! It's the Victoria Day Weekend edition of On the Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast! Keith Leslie, John Wright and Dave Trafford pay tribute to David Rider for his 14-plus years of service as the Toronto City Hall Bureau Chief for the Toronto Star. David's moving on to take on the role of Senior Political Reporter in …

1
Are reports of the Ontario Liberal Party's demise greatly exaggerated? 37:59

2M ago37:59

37:59

In this edition of On the Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast: So many QUESTIONS! The pollsters are at odds over what's weighing on the Ontario Liberals. Is it the lack lustre performance of the Trudeau government? Is it Ford Nation's ability to frame and define OLP leader Bonnie Crombie as the "Queen of the Carbon Tax"? Or is it simply an electo…

1
What do the PC by-election wins mean for the Ontario Liberal Party? 28:41

3M ago28:41

28:41

In this edition of On the Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast: We pick through the entrails of two by-election wins for the Progressive Conservatives. Two things are clear: There's no "call for change" at Queen's Park. Are we on the verge if the next Big Blue Machine era of politics in Ontario? If Bonnie Crombie couldn't muster enough attention, …

1
Why would Doug Ford call an early election? 45:34

3M ago45:34

45:34

In this week's edition of On the Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast: We remember the legendary broadcaster Bob Cole and then dig in on the latest stories coming out of Queen's Park including: The Ford Nation reversal of the week. The fallout from the NOT GUILTY verdict in the trial of Umar Zumeer - accused of murdering Toronto police Det-Constab…

1
Doug Ford gives us a master class in populist politics 43:35

3M ago43:35

43:35

In this week's edition of On the Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast: Happy 3rd birthday to Story Studio Network! Doug Ford goes on an operatic RANT about gas price hikes and manages to lay it all at the feet of Justin Trudeau and Bonnie Crombie! All four provincial party leaders want the Speaker to reverse his refusal to allow the keffiyeh to be…

1
Tim Hudak is in the House! 39:30

3M ago39:30

39:30

In this week's edition of On the Ledge - your Ontario politic podcast: We're joined by Tim Hudak, CEO at the Ontario Real Estate Association, tp talk about the housing initiatives annoucned at Queen's Park and in Ottawa this week. Tim says there've been some positive steps taken, such as increasing the amortization period and providing assistance f…

1
From the Budget to Byelections - it's all about big money and big spending 40:40

3M ago40:40

40:40

In this episode of On the Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast: It's been a busy "media week" for Doug Ford - making almost daily annoucements about government spending plans one week after the 2024 budget was tabled at Queen's Park. But announcements aside, the PCs are spending a good deal of time and political capital defining Liberal Leader Bon…

1
Ford Nation tables ANOTHER record spending budget and remembering Roy McMurtry 45:09

4M ago45:09

45:09

In this episode of On the Ledge - Your Ontario Politics Podcast, John Wright, Keith Leslie and Dave Trafford tackle the Ontario budget, the rhetorical distraction that is the Carbon Tax, and remembering Roy McMurtry. Ford Nation has coughed up another RECORD spending plan and, in so doing, have made it abundantly clear, budgets have become a nearly…

1
Tackling the tangled debate over the carbon tax and short term thinking on long term care 47:10

4M ago47:10

47:10

In this edition of On the Ledge - Your Ontario Politics Podcast from Story Studio Network: Dave Trafford, John Wright and Keith Leslie get into the tangled debate around the carbon tax, its impact on the economy and everyday life. Will a three cent per litre increase at the gas pump really be noticed? How effective is the carbon tax in addressing c…

1
Ford Nation pats itself on the back for a Ring of Fire failure 49:27

4M ago49:27

49:27

In this episode of On the Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast, The Ford government was patting itself on the back this week after announcing a Ring of Fire agreement with two First Nations on next steps to build a road into the environmentally sensitive, mineral rich region of Northern Ontario. The announcement was long on self-congratulations bu…

1
We remember Brian Mulroney 42:24

5M ago42:24

42:24

In this week's edition of On the Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast, The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney passed away February 29, 2024 at the age of 84. Mulroney served as Canada's 18th prime minister from 1984 to 1993. John Wright, Keith Leslie and Dave Trafford set Queen's Park aside this week and reflect on Mulroney's legacy and career.…

1
It's "Back on Track" or "What the hell have you done for the past two years" at Queen's Park 35:07

5M ago35:07

35:07

In this week's edition of On the Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast: Ford Nation is getting around to "getting it done" two years after running on the Tories' "git 'er dun" campaign that won them a majority government in June of 2022. Ontario's MPPs were back in the Ledge for the first time in 2024 following their long winter's nap, AKA the Chri…

1
Doug Ford sends MPPs home early for the Christmas break 40:39

7M ago40:39

40:39

This week's edition of On the Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast - wraps up the fall session at Queen's Park with SSN's Chief Executive Producer, Dave Trafford, John Wright EVP at Maru Public Opinion and Keith Leslie, political commentator on CH television. There's A LOT to talk about including the government's lack of strategy in healthcare, th…

1
The Sarah Jama story creates more political problems for NDP Leader Marit Stiles 41:40

8M ago41:40

41:40

In this edition of On the Ledge - Your Ontario politics podcast The Greenbelt is still a quagmire for Premier Ford's government but it's the fallout from the war in the middle east that fuels a growing concern in the legislature and, more particularly in NDP backrooms. Sarah Jama's censure by the majority government and expulsion from the New Democ…

1
Is Ford Nation playing good politics or making good policy? 39:46

8M ago39:46

39:46

NEW: You can now leave us a RECORDED or TEXT message about anything you hear on the show. It's EASY. Click RECORD YOUR MESSAGE. Hit the RECORD button. Enter your name and email address so we can respond to your comment! And chances are you'll have something to say after listening to this edition of On the Ledge - Your Ontario politics podcast. Keit…

1
A pox on all their houses. All three provincial parties are reeling from self-inflicted wounds 30:08

8M ago30:08

30:08

In this edition of On the Ledge - your Ontario Politics Podcast: Dave Trafford, John Wright and Keith Leslie read the entrails following a week where the three main parties at Queen's Park were hobbled by sel-inflicted wounds. The Ford government is already stuck in the Greenbelt quagmire. In the past week, the interim Auditor General has opened in…

1
Doug Ford keeps a straight face denying he played any role in the Greenbelt land swap 30:50

9M ago30:50

30:50

In this edition of On the Ledge - Your Ontario Politics Podcast Keith Leslie (CH TV), John Wright (SVP Maru Public Opinion), Sabrina Nanji (QP Observer) and Dave Trafford (SSN Chief Executive Producer) weigh in on the latest in the Greenbelt Quagmire. As noted in last week's show, we were expecting, and recieved, a 7 thousand page document dump tha…

1
What does a DVP upload to QP mean? The Ont. NDP is self emulating and there's more to come in the Greenbelt scandal 35:54

9M ago35:54

35:54

In this week's edition of On the Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast: We said, a few weeks ago, Olivia Chow may be Doug ford's unlikely saviour. Today, we're getting more hints of that. There have been rumbles for a while and now the Toronto Star is reporting the Ford government is considering plans to upload the Don Valley Parkway and the Gardin…

1
The Jama Drama is the centre stage distraction at Queen's Park 35:49

9M ago35:49

35:49

In this edition of On the Ledge - Your Ontario politics podcast! The Ford PCs and the NDP continue sniping at each other over New Democrat Sarah Jama's controversial tweet and non-apology-apology re/; the state of affairs in Israel and Gaza. Half of the NDP caucus walked out of the assembly on Thursday, while the house voted on a Tory motion condem…

1
Could Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow be Premier Doug Ford's saviour? 27:24

9M ago27:24

27:24

In this edition of On the Ledge: The Premier's Office is in chaos at Queen's Park now that the RCMP is conducting a criminal investigation into the Greenbelt land swap. How can Doug Ford lead his caucus and cabinet, never mind the government, with that hanging over his head. There is a good deal of potential political jeopardy for the Progressive C…

1
Who benefits from municipal boundary changes in Hamilton and Ottawa? Do we have Greenbelt 2.0 at Queen's Park? 37:28

10M ago37:28

37:28

In this edition of On the Ledge - Your Ontario Politics Podcast: We are heading into the Thanksgiving weekend and the latest numbers from Maru Public Opinion suggest 63% of Ontarians have dinner plans with family and friends. We appear to be past any significant concerns about gathering in groups even though COVID is still in the community. Being m…

1
What happens in the Greenbelt is going to stay in the Greenbelt. Vegas? Not so much! 39:36

10M ago39:36

39:36

The Ontario Legislature is back in session, so it's time to reconvene On the Ledge, your Ontario politics podcast! Today, There's the Greenbelt. Then there's the Greenbelt. And, oh ya, the Greenbelt. Ford Nation might have wished it was a mere typo, but no! It seems the premier's team has messsaging issues and massaging issues - all laid bare this …

1
On The Ledge BONUS: Can Olivia Chow and Doug Ford "Get It Done" for Toronto? 33:02

1y ago33:02

33:02

It's a BONUS edition of On The Ledge featuring an episode of our daily podcast, NOW and NEXT where we sift through the entrails of the post mayoral election results. We're joined by Bob Reid, Principal at Broadway Strategy and Communications, John Wright, SVP at Maru Public Opinion and Queen's Park Observer Founder and Publisher, Sabrina Nanji. Oli…

1
The summer recess kicks off at Queen's Park 21:52

1y ago21:52

21:52

In this edition of On the Ledge: MPPs take their leave from Queen's Park for the summer break. They're back September 25th. Will Doug Ford's approval rating rebound? How will he respond to Toronto's new mayor?By Story Studio Network, Dave Trafford and iContact Productions

1
Sylvia Jones is the Teflon Health Minister in Ontario 37:29

1y ago37:29

37:29

In this week's edition of On the Ledge: Lots of chatter about a cabinet shuffle coming at Queen's Park and specualtion puts Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney in Doug Ford's cross hairs as the minister most likely to land in the back benches. For some unfathomable reason, Health Minister Sylvia Jones is immune from any possibility of losing …

1
Toronto mayoralty candidates run against Doug Ford and away from the harsh truth 43:35

1y ago43:35

43:35

In this episode of On The Ledge - your Ontario polticis podcast: Keith Leslie at CHCH-TV, John Wright SVP Maru Public Opinion, and SSN Chief Executive Producer Dave Trafford are around the table. Bonnie Crombie makes it clear, she wants to be leader of the Ontario Liberal Party. Doug Ford's shoot-from-the-lip response makes it sound like the 2026 c…

1
It's Round One in the Peel Region Cage Match 26:48

1y ago26:48

26:48

In this episode of On The Ledge: Dave's flying solo as the rest of the crew heads off for the long Victoria Day weekend. We take a closer look at the adminstrative challenges and the politics at play now that the Ford government has decided to dissolve the Regional Municipality of Peel. Is Doug Ford hoping this move stops any aspirations or plans M…

1
On The Ledge started FIVE YEARS AGO Today! 32:22

1y ago32:22

32:22

Okay, one minor edit. This podcast started as a daily show covering the 2018 Ontario Election Campaign. John Wright and I decided to jump in with both feet and we haven't looked back! Episode 1 kicked off on May 9th, 2018, the day the election writ was issued and the started the campaign that would result in Doug Ford's win. This is the 233rd episo…

1
Doug Ford supports University of Waterloo's decision to cut ties with Huawei 40:58

1y ago40:58

40:58

In this episode of On The Ledge, your Ontario politics podcast: Keith Leslie and Dave Trafford wander down a podcast path about podcasts! (You won't believe how much it costs to produce a narrative podcast at CBC!) Also: the Health Minister has no co-ordinated plan to support people living with Long Covid. the University of Ottawa bails on Huawei o…

1
Ford Nation's the Git 'er Done gang, except when it comes to delivering the Crosstown on-time and on-budget 32:03

1y ago32:03

32:03

The OTL gang is assembled! Keith Leslie at CHCH-TV, John Wright SVP Maru Public Opinion and SSN Chief Executive Producer Dave Trafford are around the table. In this episode: We've learned the Therme has landed a 95 year lease at Ontario Place but still no details on the structure of the contract. And Jeff Gray reports in the Globe and Mail, the pro…

1
What are the chances the Ontario Place plan gets shelved - AGAIN? 35:38

1y ago35:38

35:38

The OTL gang is assembled! Keith Leslie at CHCH-TV, John Wright SVP Maru Public Opinion, Sabrina Nanji, Publisher and Editor of the Queen’s Park Observer and SSN Chief Executive Producer Dave Trafford are around the table. In this episode: The Ford government made it "official" this week, unveiling fancy new renderings of the Ontario Place park tha…

1
For-Profit Long Term Care operators sell out to developers rather than invest in legislated upgrades 34:43

1+ y ago34:43

34:43

The OTL gang is assembled! Keith Leslie at CHCH-TV, John Wright SVP Maru Public Opinion, and SSN Chief Executive Producer Dave Trafford are around the table. In this episode: The Globe and Mail has exclusive reporting on the state of Long Term Care homes in Ontario. The Globe has discovered several for=profit LTC operators have opted to sell their …

1
An OTL BONUS: Is NOW a good time to talk about a Basic Income? 31:40

1+ y ago31:40

31:40

The On the Ledge crew is taking the week off for the Good Friday holiday. But, we've got a great panel assembled to talk about the need for some form of a basic, guaranteed income. This is an episode of The 2030 Project - a podcast series produced for the Daily Bread Food Bank in Toronto recorded in May 2022 and was released November 9, 2022. This …

1
It's the FRIDAY DUMP version of On the Ledge! 37:28

1+ y ago37:28

37:28

The OTL gang is depleted! John Wright SVP Maru Public Opinion and Sabrina Nanji, Publisher and Editor of the Queen’s Park Observer are on the IRL, using up their portion of our healthcare dollars. That just gives Keith Leslie at CHCH-TV, and SSN Chief Executive Producer Dave Trafford more elbow room around the table. In this episode: Keith and Dave…

1
The latest Ford Budget Plan: Spend it if you've got it! 35:07

1+ y ago35:07

35:07

The OTL gang is assembled! Keith Leslie at CHCH-TV, John Wright SVP Maru Public Opinion and SSN Chief Executive Producer Dave Trafford are around the table. It's the morning after the latest Ford government budget. It represents the largest spending in the history of the province. It's also the largest revenue numbers. All BIG numbers but to what e…

1
Ana Bailoa calls on Doug Ford to upload the DVP and Gardiner Expressway to the province 35:54

1+ y ago35:54

35:54

The OTL gang is assembled! Keith Leslie at CHCH-TV, John Wright SVP Maru Public Opinion, Sabrina Nanji, Publisher and Editor of the Queen’s Park Observer and SSN Chief Executive Producer Dave Trafford are around the table. In this episode: Ana Bailao has made it official. She is running for Mayor of Toronto. Bailao is a former city councillor and s…

1
OTL EXTRA: Former Ontario Premier on the state of Liberalism across Canada 37:10

1+ y ago37:10

37:10

Welcome to the first EVER edition of On The Ledge EXTRA! In this episode, we feature a sit down interview with former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne. It ran as the March 7, 2023 episode of Now and Next. How does she view the state of the Liberal movement and Ontario. Wynne admits she prefers the delegated convention. She doesn't think she'd have wo…

1
Will the Ontario Liberals re-invent the One-Member-One-Vote leadership election? 38:01

1+ y ago38:01

38:01

The OTL gang is assembled! Keith Leslie at CHCH-TV, John Wright SVP Maru Public Opinion, and SSN Chief Executive Producer Dave Trafford are around the table. Sabrina Nanji, Publisher and Editor of the Queen’s Park Observer, has taken the day off from the podcast. In this episode: A post mortem on the Ontario Liberal Party's Annual General Meeting. …

1
Can Bonnie Crombie save the Ontario Liberal Party? 37:31

1+ y ago37:31

37:31

On this week's edition of On The Ledge: The OTL gang is assembled! Keith Leslie at CHCH-TV, John Wright SVP Maru Public Opinion, Sabrina Nanji, Publisher and Editor of the Queen’s Park Observer and SSN Chief Executive Producer Dave Trafford are around the table. Can Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie save the Ontario Liberal Party? Why would she even…

1
Are the Ontario Liberals circling the wagons or circling the bowl? 37:05

1+ y ago37:05

37:05

The OTL gang is assembled! Keith Leslie at CHCH-TV, John Wright SVP Maru Public Opinion, Sabrina Nanji, Publisher and Editor of the Queen’s Park Observer and SSN Chief Executive Producer Dave Trafford are around the table. The New Democrats seem to think they'll get a different answer from the Integrity Commissioner to the same complaint about the …

1
How much does the John Tory Bombshell at the Clamshell upset the Ford agenda at Queen's Park? 30:38

1+ y ago30:38

30:38

We're BACK! The OTL gang is assembled! Keith Leslie at CHCH-TV, John Wright SVP Maru Public Opinion, Sabrina Nanji, Publisher and Editor of the Queen’s Park Observer and SSN Chief Executive Producer Dave Trafford are around the table. In this episode: John Tory steps away from the Mayor's Office in Toronto. What does that political hand grenade do …

1
Does Doug Ford really want to pick a fight with Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie? 35:22

1+ y ago35:22

35:22

The OTL gang is assembled! Keith Leslie at CHCH-TV, John Wright SVP Maru Public Opinion, Sabrina Nanji, Publisher and Editor of the Queen’s Park Observer and SSN Chief Executive Producer Dave Trafford are around the table. In this episode: Premier Doug Ford tells Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie to stop whining and be a good partner! (At least he d…

1
Ontario's Auditor General is the Auditor Gotcha! 38:39

1+ y ago38:39

38:39

OTL SHOW NOTES The OTL gang is assembled! Keith Leslie at CHCH-TV, John Wright SVP Maru Public Opinion, Sabrina Nanji, Publisher and Editor of the Queen’s Park Observer and SSN Chief Executive Producer Dave Trafford are around the table. In this episode: Why do we even listen to Bonnie Lysyk? Sure, the annual Auditor General’s report makes for grea…

1
Umm...Where's Doug Ford? Anyone? 28:31

1+ y ago28:31

28:31

The OTL gang is assembled! Keith Leslie at CHCH-TV, John Wright SVP Maru Public Opinion, Sabrina Nanji, Publisher and Editor of the Queen’s Park Observer and SSN Chief Executive Producer Dave Trafford are around the table. In this episode: Ontario’s premier has been AWOL this past week, skipping out on Question Period, failing to attend the Order o…

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