NOW and NEXT

Our lead story today: A FART JOKE!

That's what the Ontario election campaign has come to with less than a week to go before Election Day on June 2.  The Toronto Star's got its hands on ANOTHER set of leaked polling numbers - this time from the NDP. Surprise, surprise! The NDP's confidential, internal memo says they've got the "wind at their back"! More likely that leader Horwath has figurative knives at her back. And the latest from Angus Reid shows "NOT SURE" is running second to Doug Ford and the PCs on some key issues. Yes,...

This Election is chance for all major parties to hit the reset button

The provincial election in Ontario might be a Seinfeld Campaign - an election about nuthin' for most. But it appears to be shaping up as a RESET opportunity for the PCs, Liberals and NDP.  Doug Ford has reset the PC brand and his own brand for that matter. Just look at the surveys suggesting a significant number of voters who opted for the Liberals in the last federal election are considering a PC vote on June 2. As for the Liberals, it may be in the party's best interest for leader Del ...

Seven Sleep Walks To Election Day in Ontario

We are a week away from counting the final ballot tally that will determine who will sit in the Premier's Office in Ontario.  And here's where we stand. Andrea Horwath is running to keep her job. Steven Del Duca is running to win his seat. And Doug Ford is sleep walking his way towards another majority. Will the final week make any difference in the campaign? Probably not. All but one number has stayed steady in most of the polling since the Leaders' Debate. The one that's shifted smartly is ...

Is "Shelter From The Storm" Ford Nation's new campaign song?

Did Victoria Day affect voting intentions in Ontario?

Polling and seat projection numbers seem to be fluid, with less than 2 weeks to go before Election Day in Ontario. In three separate stories over the Victoria Day weekend, the Toronto Star says the Liberals could hold Ford Nation to a minority, the NDP is gaining at the expense of the Liberals, and the Liberals out poll the NDP but would finish third. So, we turn to John Wright, SVP at Maru Public Opinion to get some clarity on what's going on. He expects voting intentions firmed up while fri...

What does Jason Kenney's flameout say about the Conservative movement in Canada?

It seems the United Conservative Party of Alberta's not all that united. Jason Kenney's spectacular fall from grace suggests the "big tent" approach is an unmitigated failure for conservatives in Alberta. And this is in Canada's conservative heartland! You've got to think Kenney's meagre 51.4% support in this week's leadership review reflects a similar schism in the federal ranks. Today on the WRIT RACE, we're joined by Bob Reid, Principal at Broadway Strategy and Communications and Bob Richa...

Scarborough takes centre stage in the Ontario Election campaign

Local candidates from four of the six provincial ridings in Scarborough gathered on May 18th to highlight the social and economic issues that are unique to this community. Official census numbers put the population at nearly 630 thousand, but local agencies and businesses estimate the real popluation is more than 800 thousand.  Public transit, affordable housing and healthcare top the list of issues. But poverty and the need for social assistance and support is the real issue. More than one i...

We can't afford poverty! It costs $33 billion a year in Ontario alone.

More than one in ten adults living in Scarborough Ontario, survive month to month on a welfare cheque or the Ontario Disability Support Program. That's estimated to be close to 60,000 people in Canada's largest urban centre. In and of itself, that's a good sized city! For the first time during this election camapaign, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner cited the cost of poverty in Ontario. It's a $33 billion dollar cost! It would rank among the most expensive line items in the provincial budge...

The Leaders' Debate didn't move the needle but the knives are out!

The Ontario Leaders' Debate did little to change much in the campaign except reinforce expectations. First, the format was a complete failure. Thanks to the media consortium, leaders' debates have been reduced to a complete waste of time. They do nothing to inform voters or the campaign. Because of that, Doug Ford didn't have to do much to do well. And he excelled at doing the least he could do. Mike Schreiner managed to punch above his weight - speed bagging Ford on a couple of occassions. H...

How long can governments ignore Scarborough?

Bet you didn't know that 16% of Scarborough's popluation relies on the Ontario Disability Support Program or an Ontario Works cheque every month. It's the highest level of "working poverty" in Canada. Scarborough is often neglected, if not ignore outright, when it comes to speaking truth to the politically powerful. In this episode, we talk to David Hardy, President of Hardy, Stevenson and Associates. He, along with members of the Scarborough Community Renewal Organization are attempting to c...

Pierre Poilievre may well be an unintended secret weapon for Ford Nation.

National Post columnist Kelly McParland is of the opinion that "Pierre Poilievre is too big a risk to lead the Conservatives" McParland calls Poilievre's attack on Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem "reckless and dangerous". You might even call it the stuff of unhinged conspiracy theories. What a contrast between the CPC wannabe PM and Doug Ford, the wannabe re-elected premier of Ontario. Dull Doug's approach to the provincial campaign is working. He appears to be on track to lead another m...

Ford's evolved from the Bull In The China Shop campaigner to Dull Doug

It's as if they've taken a few laps to get their legs and jockey for positioning and now the provincial parties in Ontario are preparing for the final lap bell to ring.  The party leaders are all in debate prep mode and the dead gallop for the final two weeks leading up to Election Day on June 2nd. So far, Doug Ford's run a quiet campaign with fewer media avails than the other leaders and fewer days shaking hands and kissing babies. And all indications suggest that's working. Ontario's okay w...

The first debate of the campaign about NUTHIN' didn't amount to much

Doug Ford was, well, Git 'er Done Doug, running to stay out of his own way. Andrea Horwath was running to be Leader of the Opposition. Steven Del Duca was running to be Premier. And everyone was wishing Mike Schreiner was the Premier.

It's the Seinfeld election in Ontario. A campaign about NUTHIN'!

There is no urgency, no call for change, no sense that any of the major parties speaks for Ontarians who are facing historic inflation rates at the pumps and in the grocery stores. COVID isn't an "issue" but the pandemic fatigue may well be playing into the lack of interest among voters. If this keeps up, Doug Ford sleep walks back into the Premier's Office.

Cynthia Mulligan joins the Writ Race to talk about ODSP

Not sure what happened in the party war rooms in the past few days, but all four major parties have committed to increasing the Ontario Disability Support Program. The increases would range from about $60 to nearly $1200 a month. @CityCynthia joins the show to give her read of why this issue has spiked to the top of the political priority list at Queen's Park.

How does our media consumption inform political campaigns?

Media, whether it be defined as conventional, traditional, terrestrial, digital, or social, has evolved at a breathtaking pacing over the past few years. And that evolution has forced or prompted new habits and behaviours among media and news consumers. In years past, media would have been viewed as a primary source to inform voters during an election campaign. But in 2022, the consumption behaviour says as much or more about the consumer than the content may say about a political platform. I...

Would you be willing to pay $10 a month for dental care coverage?

If Andrea Horwath were paying attention, she would commit to reinstating the licence plate fees to pay for her dental care plan. That $120 per plate per year, 10 bucks a month! would be enough to pay for 5 years of that plan at $360 million per annum! That would be an easy relatable sell. But the Writ Race crew says neither oppo party is prepared to roll back Doug Ford's $1.8 billion gift to voters.

The Media Ignores the issues and political parties are happy with that

Day one of the election campaign in Ontario was distracted by the abortion debate. Two weeks ago, the Liberals made headlines promising to ban handguns across the province. Neither issue is relevant in this campaign. But they consume editorial oxygen because newsrooms are lazy. They don't want to explore the issues that are top of mind for families and businesses across the province. They simultaneously flash a shiny distraction then follow it! It's worth noting, the latest polling from Nik...

For the RECORD: Record Albums Drop. Writs don't drop!

Today on the DAILY BRIEF: The Writ Race in Ontario. The provincial legislature was dissolved at 4pm on May3. That makes today the first full day of campaigning in Ontario. As it stands, this is Doug Ford's election to lose. It's also a last stand for Andrea Horwath. And survey says most voters don't who is standing as the leader of the Liberals. Affordability is THE ISSUE but what does that mean among the major parties?

How will affordability play in the Ontario Election Campaign?

Today on the DAILY BRIEF: Lindsay Broadhead, Senior Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs at the Toronto Region Board of Trade weighs in on the number one issue for Ontarians during this election period: Affordability. And she says that starts with the cost of housing.

We've add more major market talent to Story Studio Network

Story Studio Network is excited to announce Steve Cassar is joining the team as a Senior Executive Producer. Steve is a veteran broadcast journalist, leading award winning teams at CTV News in Toronto and Sportsnet. Steve was also a Supervising Producer for the Olympic Broadcasting Services in Beijing and Tokyo. Most recently, Steve jumped into the podcast production world, founding Podcasts that Pop - a boutique production service supporting businesses and organizations that wanted to create...

What a great time to be a sports fan in Toronto!

The Raptors are attempting to make NBA history in their playoff series with Philadelphia. Auston Matthews made history scoring his 6oth of the season. Now, the Leafs are just hoping to win a playoff series.  And the Blue Jays are as advertised - so far! Rod Black joins the Daily Brief to talk sports!

Government policy is directly related to the number of food bank visits in Canada

Today on the Daily Brief: Daily Bread CEO, Neil Hetherington joins the show to talk about the number one issue facing Ontario as we head into a provincial election campaign.  The cost of living, housing and food affordability has to be addressed in a meaningful way and that will require courageous leadership. Are our politicians up to the task?

The quality of your corporate culture will be the key to a success return to the office

If traffic reports are any indication, the commute in Toronto is getting close to the long haul you were making to and from work in the before-times! Offices and workplaces are getting back to doing in-person business.  In many cases, companies are considering a hydrid approach. Some staff will work in the office. Some will work from home. Some will split their time between the two. The discussion is at the heart of your corporate culture and how that effects your leaders and managers. Lisa T...

Cyber crime will cost $10.5 trillion globally by 2025

From phishing emails to ransomware attacks, misinformation and disinformation, it's estimated the global annual cost of cyber crimes will hit $10.5 trillion US by the year 2025. Jeff Musson, Executive Director at Coding for Veterans joins the Daily Brief to talk about the number of military vets who are shifting their defensive focus from the battlefield to cyberspace.

It's On The Ledge Friday!

Today on the Daily Brief: Is Doug Ford really buying your vote?  Have the Liberals already lost if they think a handgun ban in Ontario is going to put them over the top on June 2nd. Polls consistently showing the Liberals a solid second choice among Ontario voters. Should Andrea Horwath just riff off Kathleen Wynne's 2018 script and admit now, "The NDP has no chance of forming a government."?

How is podcasting working for Sarah Thorne at Decision Partners?

Today on the Daily Brief, we introduce you to Sarah Thorne, President and CEO at Decision Partners.  Sarah was a co-host and producer on the first podcast series we produced at Story Studio Network. Sarah was joined by Lisa Taylor, Dave Hardy and Ujwal Arkagud in a 12 part series called The Next Normal. Sarah also hosts and co-produces the Engineering With Nature podcast with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. She joins the show today to talk about her experience and how podcasting has become ...

Happy Birthday to us! Story Studio Network is a year old today!

It all started with a text message asking for a "quick call" and Story Studio Network was the outcome. Twelve months later, we've gone from one podcast series and three team members to 14 shows and a stable of major market talent. Our clients have proven podcasting is a great addition to their branding and marketing strategies. The power of podcasting allows them to tell their stories in their voice. On today's edition of the Daily Brief, Jamie Nickerson and Erin Trafford join to talk about o...

Great NEWS! Myseum Toronto is back in a neighbourhood near you!

I'm sure many of you were face to face with friends and family this Easter weekend. In our case, we had a great chance to visit with people we have seen (save a video chat) for years thanks to COVID. That is good news for our collective psyche and it's also good for businesses and cultural events that rely so heavily on the in-person experience. Myseum Toronto's annual festival is among the many benchmark events in Toronto that make this city the coolest place on the planet and all the more t...

What do you know? And how do you know it?

All kinds of flack and full throated complaining over the appointment of Marina Glogovac as the new CEO at Torstar. It all stems from her comments about the pandemic - particularly her insistence that the "pandemic is over". It's not. And anyone who reads the pages of the Toronto Star would know that. So, should she be held to account for her misleading twitter posts? Is she suitable to lead a major media and journalism organization? Maybe. Maybe not. It's worthy of discussion. But her "fac...

Have you worked coffee meetings back into your work calendar?

We are finally starting to step out into the light a little more with each passing week. We're still being cautious, many people choosing to continue wearing masks in larger gatherings. And that's not a bad thing. And it's also good for our psyche and good for the economy. We were at a large trade show on the weekend in Toronto and it was as busy as I would have expected in the "before times". The only obvious differences were, you had to buy a ticket that specified your arrival time and abou...

Today on the DAILY BRIEF: We introduce you to Engineering With Nature

We are celebrating our FIRST YEAR in business at Story Studio Network! It's been a wild and exhilarating ride since Erin and I first kicked the idea around of creating an executive production service for organizations, brands and personalities who want to use podcasting as part of their communications and branding strategy. Among the shows we've been working on, I'm excited to introduce you to Engineering With Nature. It's a podcast developed by Sarah Thorne at Decision Partners and the U.S. ...

The Danforth will miss the character and quality Korry's brought to "main street" in Greektown

After 70 years as a "clothier for gentlemen" in Toronto, Korry's will be closing its doors on the Danforth. The pandemic lockdowns surely contributed to the "retirement" of this store - just over a year since Saul Korman, the Duke of the Danforth, the Mayor of Greektown, passed away. Businesses come and go all the time - not to ignore or diminish that - but Saul's character and quality of customer service gave life to the neighbourhood. And his shop became a shopping destination in an unlikel...

Opening Day for MLB AND for Second Harvest in Toronto

April 7th always has a certain historic ring in these parts. It was April 7th, 1977 when my grandfather, my dad, my brother and I sat through snow showers coming in off of Lake Ontario as we prepared to watch the FIRST Toronto Blue Jays Home Opener at Exhibition Stadium on the CNE grounds. I still have the Opening Day program "Vol. 1 No. 1". It cost a buck. Half the ticket price of the left field seats we enjoyed! But this week also marks "Opening Day" for the Second Harvest team in Toronto. ...

It's time for a Wednesday rant!

I know, I know we're seeing high community transmission of the latest Omicron variant and that's just a signal that this ain't over yet - by a long shot. AND it's also a sign that we're leearning to live with the beast. I understand why some among us are "clutching their pearls", as John Moore would put it. That's become something of a reflexive reaction. On the other hand, I believe we are witnessing the resilience we have developed over the course of the past two years. We're finally at a s...

3.3 million Ontarians are Family Caregivers

April 5th is Family Caregiver Day in Ontario. Quite frankly, if you are a family caregiver - every day is family caregiver day.  Based on our COVID experience in Long-term care homes, we know how important caregivers are to support the system. So, how will the needs of family caregivers play in Ontario's election campaign.  Today, we're joined by Daniel Nowoselski, Chair, Communications and Awareness Committee at the Ontario Caregiver Coalition.

Did you get through April Fool's Day unscathed?

Thought it was interesting to see how careful people were on social media this weekend, vetting posts to make sure they weren't being punked by April Fool's jokes. Too bad we are all that careful every day on social media! Today on the Daily Brief, it's our weekly Roundtable visit with our crew from On The Ledge - the Ontario Politics Podcast!!  

Increase in Food Bank Visits Directly Associated with Government Policies

Not to put too fine a point on it, but we've institutionalized poverty in Canada. New research from the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary makes it clear there is a direct link between government policy and the number of food bank visits in a given year. The researchers found that a $1 increase in the minimum wage would amount to nearly 39 thousand fewer food bank visits in Toronto and almost 190 thousand fewer annual visits across Ontario. Governments should make it their b...

Poverty costs Ontario an estimated $33 billion a year.

How can we afford NOT to do all we can to eliminate poverty, when pre-COVID estimates suggest poverty costs the province of Ontario $33 billion every year. In this episode of the Daily Brief, we highlight the 2030 Project. It's a podcast we produced with the Daily Bread Food Bank team in Toronto. The series is focused on the mission to reduce poverty by 50% by the year 2030.

The Federal Conservatives in Canada should take a page out of Doug Ford's playbook

If an election were held a year ago in Ontario, Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives would have had their hands full holding onto government. Now, it looks like Ford is poised to waltz into another majority government. Yes, yes. Campaigns matter and we'll get the final details on election day - June 2. But right now, the Ford brand is winning. Compare that to the existential crisis facing all three major federal parties. The NDP is politically y irrelevant thanks to the staggering lack of le...

Are you podcast curious? Listen here!

If you're a regulare listener to the DAILY BRIEF, you will know my daughter, Erin, and I produce abroad range of branded podcasts for companies, not-for-profits, thought leaders and educators. Check out the offering at storystudionetwork.com. In this episode of the Daily Brief, we step away from the "news of the day" to let you know how you can become your own newsroom. That could include creating, producing and distributing your own brand story in your own voice. We'll get back to the headli...

How are you doing in the no-mask-required Ontario?

Masks are no longer mandatory in most public space in Ontario. And a week into it, some places are either no masks or all masks. I was in a couple of auto dealerships this week and nearly NO ONE wore a mask (I did). Then earlier today, nearly EVERYONE was masked in the local grocery store. Today on the Daily Brief, we welcome the On The Ledge roundtable crew to kick around the latest in Ontario politics. From star candidates to the childcare plan, and who's the bigger spender - Justin Trudeau...

Today on the DAILY BRIEF: Canada's first Moot Trial in the Metaverse

The University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law is taking mooting to the metaverse. The project was borne during the COVID pandemic, which restricted access and created procedural challenges for the courts. It looks cool. It sound cool. But is it workable? The universtiy will stage a moot trial session in a virtual reality environment this weekend. To talk about it, we are joined by Professor Anthony Daimsis from the University of Ottawa, Ron LeClair from LeClair and Associates, and Ritesh Kotak - ...

Today on the DAILY BRIEF - Tony Chapman says Canada needs a leadership reset

He's the host and producer of the weekly podcast Chatter that Matters and he's been a frewuest guest on my podcasts and radio shows over the past 10 years or so! Tony Chapman always ponders the second thing that comes to mind and this week he posted a provocative piece on the state of political leadership in Canada. He joins us to talk about our transactional approach to the voting booth. Oh ya...and he takes a moment to boast about the newest addition to the Chapman clan!

Canada went from a minority to a majority government overnight!

Today on the Daily Brief, we draw the curtain back on the backroom deal between Jagmeet Singh and Justin Trudeau aimed at guaranteeing the Liberals will govern until 2025. Two questions. 1. How does this affect the CPC leadership race? 2. What's in it for the NDP? We're joined by John Wright, EVP at Maru Public Opinion and Amanda Galbraith, Principal at Navigator.

Halifax Stanfield International Airport is THE WORST!

F-BOMB WARNING: I know you're not supposed to utter the B-word in an airport (or an "aerodome" as it's called in the BOLD lettered WARNING as you enter the security area). But sweet, merciful baby Jayzus, it's almost impossible to avoid a carpet bombing of F-BOMBS when you attempt to depart from Stanfield International Airport in Halifax. I should buy lottery tickets more often, considering the number of times I am "randomly" selected to step into the full body scanner at security! The airpor...

Wrapping up the March Break with some spring skiing in Canada

Today on the Daily Brief, we check in with Glenn Crouter and his final installment for Season One of Head for the Hills.  We take a look ahead to see what spriing skiing will look like in Canada this year. We check in with Destination BC, Sunshine Village in Alberta and Blue Mountain Ski Resort in Ontario.  

Today on the DAILY BRIEF - Doug Ford's approval rating spikes smartly as Ontario approaches a Spring election.

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Huston is the most popular premier in the country with an Angus Reid approval rating of 72%! He enjoyed a 16 point spike in the last month.  But Ontario Premier, Doug Ford, despite getting poor grades for his handling of COVID, enjoyed a 13 point surge, pushing his approval rating into the low 40s and he's out performing the Ontario PC party, which, if an election were held today, would likely hold onto it's majority at Queen's Park.

Today on the DAILY BRIEF - The exceptional work done by Habitat for Humanity Canada

In this episode of the Daily Brief, I introduce you to two exceptional invidiuals who are Habitat for Humanity champions. First, we meet Habitat GTA homeowner Karen who was able to move her family out of an area of Toronto rife with gun violence and high crime to a safe, accepting neighbourhood in the city. We also meet a donor and volunteer who has been giving his time, his expertise, and even his own furniture and building materials to Habitat ReStores and other local Habitats in Canada for...

Today on the DAILY BRIEF: What is the Next Normal in this COVID era?

The NEXT NORMAL is the podcast series that officially launched Story Studio Network. The series views the issues, systemic gaps, and highlights the opportunities and lessons we learned over the course of the pandemic.