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.
You can watch this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)
Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X
And you can leave us a voice comment here!
For more information go to Dave's website.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.