Wag The Doug

With his polls diving, housing minister resigning, and ill-begotten Greenbelt scheme unravelling, what’s a Doug Ford to do? Why, talk about anything else, of course!In the face of yet another report laying bare the haphazard chumminess with which power is exerted in the PCs’ Ontario, the premier would like to assure you that everything is fine. And also that he knows where you live.This month, Allison and Jonathan look at the (figurative) spot marked by lobbyist “Mr. X” and then play a game of “What Does the Ford Say?”Hosts: Jonathan Goldsbie, Allison SmithCredits: Kattie Laur (Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Nathan Burley (Music)Sponsors: Douglas,You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music - included with Prime.If you value this podcast, support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. Socials:Jonathan Goldsbie on Twitter: @goldsbieAllison Smith on Twitter: @queensparktoday  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ontario’s Auditor General has confirmed what we suspected: that Doug Ford’s government effectively redrew the map of the province, opening up thousands of acres of land for development, based largely on solicitations made at a party. It just wasn’t the party we thought.Either way, it could make for an entertaining movie.Allison and Jonathan look at the ways the Greenbelt story could be told on screen and who’d be best suited to star in it.Hosts: Allison Smith and Jonathan GoldsbieCredits: Kattie Laur (Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Nathan Burley (Music)Sponsors: Douglas, Apollo Cinema, Bytowne Cinema, Fox TheatreYou can listen ad-free on Amazon Music - included with Prime.If you value this podcast, support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. Socials:Jonathan Goldsbie on Twitter: @goldsbieAllison Smith on Twitter: @queensparktoday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did a Doug Ford policy move from 2019 lead to 10,000s of international students schlepping their backpacks to strip malls across the GTA? Allison and Jonathan investigate how Ontario colleges have cashed in on an international student free for all — and whether the party could be coming to an end.Further reading, watching and listening:Sold a Lie, Fifth Estate (https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2132310595766) Cash Cows, W5 (https://www.ctvnews.ca/w5/priest-neighbours-issue-plea-for-help-for-struggling-international-students-in-cape-breton-1.6337730 Dami’s Canadaland episode (https://www.canadaland.com/podcast/707-canadas-international-cash-cows/) Hosts: Allison Smith, Jonathan GoldsbieCredits: Kattie Laur (Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Nathan Burley (Music)This episode is supported by Douglas and MoMugi.If you value this podcast, support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. Socials:Jonathan Goldsbie on Twitter: @goldsbie Allison Smith on Twitter: @queensparktoday  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Toronto is in the midst of its most exciting election in a decade, tickling us with the possibility of hope. But does it still make sense to get invested in the outcome, when Doug Ford could easily run roughshod over Council, squashing the new mayor like the Monty Python foot?With Allison away this month, Toronto Star columnist and City Hall Watcher Matt Elliott joins Jonathan to look at the candidates, explain why this matters, and consider what Toronto’s next mayor might do to wag Doug Ford before he can wag them.Hosts: Jonathan Goldsbie, Matt ElliottCredits: Kattie Laur (Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Nathan Burley (Music)You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music - included with Prime.If you value this podcast, support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. Socials:Jonathan Goldsbie on Twitter: @goldsbieAllison Smith on Twitter: @queensparktoday  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ten years after becoming famous as the mean older brother of Toronto’s crack-smoking mayor, Doug Ford spends his days peddling fast-food promotions and posing for pictures with cops. Which is pretty much the future we might’ve guessed for him — just not the part about his being premier of Ontario all the while.This month, Allison and Jonathan peer into Ford’s parallel fixations on law enforcement and cookies. To him, there isn’t a problem that one or the other (or both) can’t solve.Hosts: Allison Smith, Jonathan GoldsbieCredits: Kattie Laur (Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Nathan Burley (Music)This episode is supported by Douglas.If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. Socials:Jonathan Goldsbie on Twitter: @goldsbie Allison Smith on Twitter: @queensparktoday  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Doug Ford claims he’s all about building, but he sure has a thing for enthusiastically bulldozing the utopian public projects of yesteryear.First it was Ontario Place. Now it’s the Science Centre. At what point does he train his sights on TVO?Allison and Jonathan reflect on the legacy of Ontario’s public broadcaster and why its survival now rests on the shoulders of Steve Paikin.Hosts: Allison Smith, Jonathan GoldsbieCredits: Kattie Laur (Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Nathan Burley (Music)This episode is supported by Douglas. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music - included with Prime.If you value this podcast, support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. Socials:Jonathan Goldsbie on Twitter: @goldsbieAllison Smith on Twitter: @queensparktoday  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s every-Ford everywhere all at once, as we celebrate the year’s most absurd and distressing developments in Ontario politics. What was the premier’s Falsest Promise? The Most Harmful Policy? The Best Fordism? You’ll never guess what insects Allison and Jonathan will swallow at the fourth annual(-ish) Douggie Awards.Hosts: Allison Smith, Jonathan GoldsbieCredits: Kattie Laur (Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Nathan Burley (Music)This episode is supported by Douglas. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music - included with Prime.If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. Socials:Jonathan Goldsbie on Twitter: @goldsbieAllison Smith on Twitter: @queensparktoday  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It turns out Doug Ford and his "developer buddies" are more than just a metaphor. A recent report by Global News found a fleet of lobbyists and developers were invited to a Stag & Doe last August for the daughters of Ford, where they were "browbeaten" into making $1000 donations. While they have not been individually identified, the Ontario integrity commissioner confirmed the developers were "personal friends" of Ford. At this point are weddings and backyard barbecues in Etobicoke the only way to get an ear from Ontario's premier? And why would Ford need a Stag & Doe? All this on Wag the Doug today.Hosts: Allison Smith, Jonathan GoldsbieCredits: Kattie Laur (Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Nathan Burley (Music)You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music - included with Prime.If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. Socials:Jonathan Goldsbie on Twitter: @goldsbie Allison Smith on Twitter: @queensparktoday  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conservatives don’t like Canada’s public healthcare system. They think it makes us like Cuba and North Korea.Now, after years of working to gradually undermine it, Doug Ford has declared that the “status quo” isn’t working, throwing open Ontario’s doors to new for-profit clinics. But when it comes to performing surgeries, just how steady is the market’s invisible hand?Hosts: Allison Smith, Jonathan GoldsbieCredits: Kattie Laur (Producer), André Proulx (Managing Editor), Nathan Burley (Music)You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music - included with Prime.If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. Socials:Jonathan Goldsbie on Twitter: @goldsbie Allison Smith on Twitter: @queensparktoday  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is from our friends on the CANADALAND network, COMMONS! This season they are digging into monopolies and asking, is there something special about Canada that makes it especially hospitable to monopolies? To listen to the rest of the COMMONS: Monopoly season, use this link or search COMMONS in your podcast app of choice. Canadians are being squeezed at every end. When it comes to cell phone bills, grocery bills, housing, entertainment, we’re all paying more than ever before.But a small number of companies that dominate their industries are reaping in enormous profits.This season of COMMONS we’ll be digging into all of the monopolies, oligopolies and cartels that dominate our lives. And for our first stop, we head to the supermarket.Featured in this episode: Vass Bednar, Marco Chown Oved (Toronto Star)To learn more“Supermarkets are hiking prices faster than necessary — and profiting from inflation, Star investigation suggests” by Marco Chown Oved in the Toronto StarRegs to Riches by Vass Bednar “Canada’s competition watchdog to investigate grocery industry in wake of soaring food prices” by Ghada Alsharif in the Toronto StarCredits: Arshy Mann (Host and Producer), Jordan Cornish (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator)Additional music from Audio Network Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A monthly podcast grappling with the reality of four more infuriating years with the Fords and what that means for Ontario. Hosted by Allison Smith and Jonathan Goldsbie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Doug Ford loves calling things “corrupt.” But just how often must his party’s friends and donors reap rewards from their policies before the word can be liberally flung back? On this month’s show, Allison and Jonathan look at who benefits from dismantling the Greenbelt and then trade fave findings from the latest Auditor General’s report.Hosts: Allison Smith, Jonathan GoldsbieCredits: Kattie Laur (Producer), André Proulx (Managing Editor), Nathan Burley (Music)You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music - included with Prime.If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. Socials:Jonathan Goldsbie on Twitter: @goldsbie Allison Smith on Twitter: @queensparktoday  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Doug Ford learned that while it’s stunningly easy to toss out constitutional rights, it’s a heck of a lot harder to get away with that. By passing the Keeping Students in Class Act complete with notwithstanding clause, the government mounted an unprecedented attack on CUPE, and essentially all organized labour, picking a fight for which they were thoroughly unprepared.Hosts: Allison Smith, Jonathan GoldsbieCredits: Kattie Laur (Producer), André Proulx (Managing Editor), Nathan Burley (Music)You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music - included with Prime.If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. Socials:Jonathan Goldsbie on Twitter: @goldsbie Allison Smith on Twitter: @queensparktoday  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet David Wallace, political fixer. After decades in the game he says he’s getting out, telling all, and dumping his files in public. The result is the viral "Klondike Papers" theory of conspiracies, conservatives, and cults. But are the allegations true? And why is he really implicating himself, and so many others? A wild, true story.Series launches October 31st.Subscribe now (link). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With electricity demand set to rise and Pickering’s nuclear plant set to close, Doug Ford’s government is now scrambling to keep the province’s lights on. Perhaps spending hundreds of millions to cancel green-energy projects and dismantle new wind turbines might not have been the most forward-thinking of ideas.With an eye on the thermostat, Allison and Jonathan plug in to Ontario’s frayed energy system, its Ticketmaster-like approach to billing, and how, in fleeing from the problem, Doug Ford has gone fission.Hosts: Allison Smith, Jonathan GoldsbieCredits: Kattie Laur (Producer), André Proulx (Managing Editor), Nathan Burley (Music)This episode is supported by Douglas.If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. Socials:Jonathan Goldsbie on Twitter: @goldsbie Allison Smith on Twitter: @queensparktoday  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The province has got a housing crisis, and the only prescription is… more mayoral powers?? Allison and Jonathan probe the comically flimsy pretense under which Doug Ford has fundamentally, if casually, reshaped how Ontario’s two largest cities are governed. Because what doesn’t quite kill Toronto and Ottawa, apparently just makes their mayors stronger.Clarification (September 22, 2022, at 8:46 p.m. EDT): Ottawa mayoral candidate and councillor Catherine McKenney uses "they/them" pronouns — not "she/her" pronouns, as used in this episode.This episode is supported by oxio and Douglas.Support Canadaland: canadaland.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wag the Doug will return in September, by which time who knows what else Doug Ford will have swallowed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Allison and Jonathan talk with Jacobin’s Luke Savage about why the NDP so often provokes indifference, while its American and British counterparts sometimes seem poised to spark revolution. Might a new leader succeed where Andrea Horwath did not?Plus: The Premier’s new cabinet offers unprecedented representation by members of the Ford family. Because it’s 2022.Savage’s new book, The Dead Center, is available for pre-order here.https://www.orbooks.com/catalog/the-dead-center/This episode is supported by Oxio, Douglas and the Images Festival. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The PCs are up seven seats from last time, and the opposition parties are down two leaders. We were going to record this from Doug Ford's election-night event, but Jonathan wasn't allowed in. So he and Allison met up after to talk about life in the Second Age of Ford, and what it means when a vindictive government also believes it's a vindicated one. This episode is supported by Douglas, Oxio, Ground News, Skipper Otto and How'd You Like That MovieSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Doug Ford campaigns against fumes, his opponents are increasingly running on them. Less than a week away, the election's outcome is hardly a foregone conclusion, but the Liberals, at least, have reached chicken-suit levels of desperation. Are they telling us there's no candour available in all of Del Duca's vista?Also, Allison and Jonathan consider whether Doug Ford has actually “evolved” (he hasn't) and why the Star's Queen's Park columnist is so convinced that he has. Further reading:Read Martin Regg Cohn's Toronto Star column about how Doug Ford has changed: https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/2022/05/24/on-the-campaign-trail-doug-ford-is-a-changed-man-in-changed-times.htmlWatch the Liberals' chicken suit video: https://twitter.com/OLPWarRoom/status/1529521747019571200?s=20&t=gNYPcy-hNBzCX1JvH7lTJgWant to try ad-free? For a limited time, get access to all of Canadaland's shows ad-free for $1/month for 3 months! Subscribe at canadaland.com/joinThis episode is supported by Oxio, Ground News, Skipper Otto and How'd You Like That MovieSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.