Politics, Petitions, and Pete Rose

Now and Next (May 14, 2025)
Host: Dave Trafford
Guests:Anne-Marie Aikens (AMA Communications), Bob Reid (Broadway Strategy)

As the long May weekend approaches, Dave Trafford returns with the Now and Next Comms And Strategy Team (C.A.S.T.) roundtable. 

The conversation begins wit the posthumous reinstatement of Pete Rose into MLB Hall of Fame consideration; a Florida Panthers executive’s inflammatory Twitter spat, and Canada’s growing boycott of U.S. travel amid political and economic tension. 

The group also dives into the divisive debate over renaming Dundas subway station, raising deeper questions about how we remember—and rewrite—history in the name of reconciliation.
And, finally, why doesn't Nate Erskine-Smith just quit as MP for Beaches-East York if he's so disappointed about being dumped from Mark Carney's cabinet?

It’s a spirited and sharp-edged episode that explores where leadership, accountability, and public trust intersect—from the House of Commons to the hockey arena.


Key Takeaways:
00:00 – Cabinet Snub: Nate Erskine-Smith’s Self-Inflicted Wound**
The team critiques Erskine-Smith’s public response to being left out of cabinet and how it reflects on political judgment and public service.

00:02:16 – Hall of Fame Controversy: Pete Rose and Posthumous Pardons**
Does lifting a lifetime ban after death honor legacy or undermine integrity? A debate over forgiveness, ethics, and consequences in sport.

00:10:34 – Twitter Firestorm: Panthers Exec Crosses the Line**
A senior executive’s offensive social media exchange erupts into controversy. The panel discusses brand damage and digital self-sabotage.

00:20:16 – Trump’s Plane Gift: Ethics and Optics of Presidential Favors**
Why Donald Trump accepting a private jet from Qatar is more than just a headline—and what it signals about governance norms.

00:25:07 – The Dundas Debate: Renaming, Reconciliation & Erasure**
Should we rename public infrastructure tied to historical figures? A thoughtful look at memory, education, and cancel culture’s limits.

00:40:45 – Borderline Fatigue: Why Canadians Are Staying Home**
From tariffs to political tension, Canadians are choosing not to travel to the U.S.—and the ripple effects are being felt on both sides of the border.