Inside Ontario Politics - the Liberal Rebuild, the NDP Divide, and Ford’s Populist Power

Dave Trafford welcomes back the full panel — former Premier Kathleen Wynne, former PC leader Tim Hudak, veteran journalist Keith Leslie, and pollster John Wright — for a fall political reset at Queen’s Park. The conversation opens with reflections on the late Jim Bradley, the long-serving Ontario Liberal who embodied integrity, bipartisanship, and a deep respect for public service. The panel shares personal memories and stories that capture Bradley’s “old-school” approach and his remarkable 55 years in elected office.

From there, the discussion shifts to the state of Ontario’s major parties ahead of the legislature’s return. Wynne assesses the Liberal leadership race, urging a timely process to give the next leader room to grow before the 2026 election. Hudak credits Bonnie Crombie for rebuilding the party infrastructure despite her short tenure, while Leslie and Wright note the Liberals’ resilience and the potential impact of generational change.

Attention then turns to the NDP, where Marit Stiles faces internal divisions, slipping poll numbers, and a crisis of relevance. The panel contrasts Ontario’s left with more pragmatic western NDP governments, questioning whether the party can reconnect with working-class voters.

Finally, the team examines Premier Doug Ford’s enduring popularity, exploring how his populist instincts and “Captain Canada” persona resonate across the province, even as critics fault him for weak policy and performative politics. With the legislature set to resume, the conversation sets the stage for an intense fall session dominated by affordability pressures, the Auditor General’s reports, and the evolving federal–provincial dynamic.

• 00:00 – Introduction – The team reunites and celebrates The Arctic Edge awards
• 04:55 – Remembering Jim Bradley – Stories of humility, legacy, and public service
• 19:20 – Liberal Leadership Reset – The race to rebuild the party
• 30:55 – NDP in Trouble – Divisions, direction, and the struggle for relevance
• 44:10 – Ford Nation Rising – Populism, polling, and political staying power
• 59:55 – Looking Ahead – The legislature returns and new battles loom

TRANSCRIPT 

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