Olivia Chow's Communications Crisis

Now and Next – June 24, 2025

Host: Dave Trafford
Guests: Anne-Marie Aikins (AMA Communications), Bob Reid (Broadway Strategy), Lindsay Broadhead (Broadhead Communications)

In the final episode before a summer break, host Dave Trafford and the NOW AND NEXT C.A.S.T., (Comms And Strategy Team), tackle growing concerns over Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow’s leadership. The panel digs into the controversy around pool closures during a major heatwave—an issue that’s become emblematic of a deeper, recurring pattern of communications stumbles and public mismanagement by the mayor’s office.

From blaming staff and past administrations to vague, delayed responses, the team highlights how Chow’s failure to take ownership is eroding public trust. They contrast her handling of crises with more direct, action-oriented leadership styles seen in figures like Doug Ford and Rob Ford. The conversation also considers the cumulative impact of these missteps on Chow’s reelection prospects, especially as political challengers begin to circle.

Later, the panel unpacks Toronto’s latest move to create a “traffic czar” to deal with congestion—another decision that seems more about optics than real solutions. The team questions whether adding new titles without clear accountability can truly fix broken systems.

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction & Summer Break Update
Dave sets the stage for the summer hiatus and introduces the panel.

01:12 – Pool Closures and a Pattern of Deflection
The team dissects the city’s delayed, disjointed response to the pool shutdowns, calling it another chapter in a series of recurring communications failures.

07:00 – Missed Messaging and Leadership Gaps
Panelists analyze how Chow’s press presence consistently lacks clarity, urgency, and ownership—traits essential for modern leadership.

22:00 – What This Means for Reelection
Discussion shifts to Chow’s political vulnerability, examining whether she can pivot in time to recover public trust.

36:00 – Traffic Czar: Leadership or Lip Service?
Critique of the city’s congestion “solution” and the optics of passing the buck to a newly created role.

44:00 – Wrap-Up and What’s Coming This Summer
Dave previews upcoming special episodes and invites listeners to stay subscribed during the break.