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On The Ledge - your Ontario politics podcastAuthor: Dave Trafford and iContact Productions
The Ledge, n: slang for the legislature. Mostly used by members of the legislative press gallery. On the Ledge posts weekly when the Ontario Legislature is sitting. But there have been times when we've had to "recall" the Ledge for an emergency session to address pressing matters of Ontario politics when Queen's Park isn't sitting!Our OTL team includes former Ontario Premier, Kathleen Wynne, former Progressive Conservative Leader, (and Wynne's erstwhile parliamentary sparring partner), Tim Hudak, Queen's Park broadcast commentator Keith Leslie, John Wright, our veteran pollster and co-founding host, and Dave Trafford, Chief Executive Producer at Story Studio Network. Language: en Genres: News, News Commentary, Politics Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Niagara Amalgamation: 126 Politicians, Big Costs & a Regional Reckoning
Thursday, 26 February, 2026
In this episode of On the Ledge - your Ontario politics podcast:Host: Dave TraffordRoundtable: Keith Leslie, Tim Hudak, John Wright, Kathleen WynneHealthcare costs are “unsustainable.” Niagara may be heading toward amalgamation. And the free trade era? It may already be over.This week on On the Ledge, we dig into what Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy’s warning really means for Ontario’s healthcare system — and whether prevention, not just spending, is the missing piece. From seniors’ falls to housing design, safe injection sites to primary care access, the panel asks: are we running an illness system instead of a wellness system?Then: Niagara Region. 126 councillors. Infrastructure deficits. Rising taxes. Is amalgamation inevitable — and who wins if it happens?And finally, tariffs and trade. With U.S. protectionism hardening and midterms looming, what’s Ontario’s role? Should Premier Ford be inserting himself into U.S. politics? And does it even matter who wins in November?The world has changed. Free trade may not be coming back. The question now is: how does Ontario adapt?Subscribe for weekly conversations that cut through the noise and focus on what’s next in Ontario politics.Chapters00:00 – IntroductionWinter complaints give way to a preview of healthcare sustainability, Niagara amalgamation, and U.S. trade tensions.03:25 – Healthcare Spending & Prevention Debate“Unsustainable” healthcare costs, seniors’ falls, upstream solutions, and shifting from illness care to prevention.24:25 – Niagara Amalgamation Showdown126 councillors, infrastructure deficits, political risk, and lessons from Toronto’s mega-city.43:35 – Tariffs, Trade & the End of Free Trade?A “mercantilistic world,” U.S. midterms, and Canada’s strategic response.56:05 – Can Midterms Change the Trade Reality?Republican prospects, executive authority on tariffs, and why Canada must plan for permanence.You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and XAnd you can leave us a voice comment here!For more information go to Dave's website.
