Wag The Doug

Doug Ford is getting ready for next year's election by increasing donation limits, shuffling his cabinet, and overriding the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to pass a law limiting the criticism he'll face. This sudden bonfire of political capital has our hosts wondering: given the state of Ontario's opposition parties, just what is Ford so afraid of?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Doug Ford's Ontario, there's no problem that can't be solved by giving police new powers. This time, the issue is human trafficking— which, well that makes sense, right? The reality is far more complicated.Allison and Jonathan talk to Elene Lam of Butterfly, the Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network, who explains how the government's new Bill 251 will actually cause harm to vulnerable populations that are already criminalized and over-policed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the pandemic reaching new levels of crisis each day, and public anger at the government rising in proportion, how has Doug Ford chosen to spend his evenings? Fundraising!The Ontario PCs have built an enormously effective big-money operation and just passed a new law to entrench it. Allison and Jonathan explore the ways the party collects cash — and how such contributions appear to inform the government's life-or-death decisions.This episode is sponsored by Images Festival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The GTA has become the site of a massive tow truck turf war. Vehicles have been fire-bombed, a law office has been shot up, and cops face criminal charges for their involvement. And the person in charge of reining in the violence and corruption? Doug Ford. Allison and Jonathan talk with Peter Edwards, the Toronto Star's organized crime reporter, who explains how this tow truck tumult puts everyone at risk.Correction (March 17 at 4:06 p.m. EDT): This episode erroneously describes Sol Mamakwa as “Ontario's first and only Indigenous MPP.” He is, in fact, the second member of a First Nation to sit in the legislature, following Peter North in the 1990s, and serves alongside NDP colleagues Guy Bourgouin (who is Métis) and Suze Morrison (who is of mixed Indigenous and settler heritage).This episode is sponsored by Dispatch Coffee.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laurentian University has filed for creditor protection, while another, opening this fall, has attracted just 47 applicants. What is going on with Ontario's postsecondary sector? And what can the premier's own brief college experience tell us about his government's peculiar approach?Allison and Jonathan also talk to Alex Usher, president of Higher Education Strategy Associates, about how the whole business model for Ontario's colleges and universities has changed dramatically in the past several years.This episode is supported by Dispatch CoffeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the second annual Douggie Awards, where Allison and Jonathan take stock of all the hilarity and abject horror that was the Year in Ford. Who carries home the trophies for “Best Sycophant,” “Most Surreal Moment,” and the always-popular “Most Blatant Conflict of Interest”? Take a stroll down the shoddily constructed blue carpet and join us as we celebrate the worst that Ontario has to offer.Additional music:Isolation Swing by Admiral Bob (c) copyright 2020 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/admiralbob77/61465 Ft: SmoJosThe Vendetta by Stefan Kartenberg (c) copyright 2018 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/JeffSpeed68/58628 Ft: ApoxodeTwo Swords by _ghost (c) copyright 2010 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/_ghost/26146 Ft: rocavaco, redhairMoonlight Sonata (Shifting Sun Mix) by Speck (c) copyright 2018 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/speck/57884 Ft: SnowflakeThis episode is brought to you by Cullens Foods.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Doug Ford vowed that those who couldn't afford rent during the pandemic wouldn't lose their homes. Instead, he made evictions easier than ever. And now, thanks to online hearings, the bleak indifference of that process is on display for all.Allison and Jonathan look at what it means when housing is chiefly seen as an investment, not a right, and how the province has doubled down on facilitating shareholder profits at the expense of tenants who took the premier at his word. They also talk to Bryan Doherty of Keep Your Rent Toronto and Sam Nithiananthan of People's Defence Toronto, about resistance and solidarity in the face of a real-estate market that's slowly pushing everyone toward the same cliff.This episode was brought to you by Cullen's Foods.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Except when they're investigating members of his family, Doug Ford really loves the police. So much so that, earlier this year, when calls for defunding became inescapable, he responded by giving them more money.In this episode, Allison and Jonathan look at his government's record on policing, and the extent to which it has and hasn't reversed recent attempts at reform.They also talk to a fifth-grader (but about different things).This episode was brought to you by Cullen's Foods.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's crowdfunding month! Support us at canadaland.com/join.To be caught off guard by Covid's first wave was misfortunate. To be caught off guard by its second looks like carelessness.Allison and Jonathan look at how Doug Ford's bungling of the pandemic's resurgence has squandered any earlier benefit of the doubt. And they talk to Dr. David Fisman, a U of T epidemiologist, whose pointed online criticisms of Ontario's Chief Medical Officer have softened of late — but not because he thinks he's doing a better job.Additional music: Phase 4 by Xylo Ziko.This episode is sponsored by CullensFoods.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support us here: WagtheDoug.com  With large swaths of the continent on fire, we look at how Doug Ford's government recently took a torch to environmental regulations under the guise of a “Covid-19 Economic Recovery Act.” Jonathan and Allison speak with Greenpeace lawyer Priyanka Vittal, who's leading one of the lawsuits against the changes. And in examining what the government has accomplished on the environment front, we find it involves a lot of shooting of birds and trucking of wolves.This episode is sponsored by CullensFoods.comClarification (September 24, 2020): In a discussion of COVID at universities, an earlier version of this episode included a statement that “the government started publishing a list of every school” with at least one case. In fact, the statement was in reference to public primary and secondary schools.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support us here: WagtheDoug.comFollowing a five-month hiatus, Wag the Doug reemerges into a whole new world — one in which Doug Ford is somehow… broadly popular? Allison and Jonathan try to figure out what happened. Has the premier really improved? Or is there something else at work? CORRECTION: In this episode, co-host Allison Smith states that “the provincial debt is poised to hit $38.5 billion this year.” She was, in fact, referring to Ontario's budget deficit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Doug Ford has been widely commended for his response to COVID-19. Are people just looking for comfort or has the crisis truly brought out the best in the Premier? This show is supported by listeners. If you like it, please consider supporting us at Patreon.com/canadaland.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new investigative series about the cocaine smuggling ring inside Vice Media. To hear episode 2 right now, subscribe to Cool Mules. Or get all six episodes ad-free for $5/month by clicking here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Doug Ford has announced that the 2022 campaign has begun and the Liberals are currently polling as his top rivals, despite being decimated in the last election. We visit the final debate for Liberal Party leadership to see who will take on the Premier. Plus, a review of Run This Town, a movie that’s about Rob Ford, but is also sort of about Jonathan Goldsbie. Run This Town will be released in select theatres on March 6th. This show is supported by listeners. To support us and get ad-free versions of all of our podcasts, go to Patreon.com/canadaland.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a decade of planning and $110 million spent, the Ford Government abruptly cancelled Hamilton’s LRT, leaving empty buildings and questions about the city’s future in its wake. Was it just a line item? Ballooning costs? Or political sabotage in an NDP town? Featured in this episode: Hamilton city councillors Nrinder Nann and Maureen Wilson, and longtime Queen’s Park watcher Keith Leslie.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Auditor General has released her annual report, scrutinizing the government's spending on everything from prisons to horse racing. We dig through it to bring you the 10 fascinating things we learned. And Doug Ford begins his unity tour. CORRECTION: The NDP's critic of OLG and horse racing is Percy Hatfield, not Wayne Gates as stated in the show. However, Wayne Gates did provide the quote that is attributed to him in this episode. This episode is sponsored by Small Batch Dispatch. This show would not exist without the support of listeners. Please consider supporting us at Patreon.com/canadaland.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We dive deep into the past, present and future of Ontario News Now, the PC Party's online faux-news outlet. Is it dangerous propaganda or harmless government cheerleading? Plus, is Doug Ford finally playing nice? And do the PCs have their own version of a gas plant scandal brewing? This podcast exists because of listener support. If you want it to keep going, please support us at Patreon.com/canadaland.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our colleagues at COMMONS have a new season of their podcast called DYNASTIES, all about the powerful families that run Canada. Today, we're sharing their episode about the rise of the Fords. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Justin Trudeau won't stop saying "Doug Ford" while Andrew Scheer is going to absurd lengths to avoid acknowledging the Ontario Premier's existence whatsoever. We take a look at how Doug is playing a role in the federal election. Get tickets here to see us live at the Hot Docs Podcast Festival. This show is supported by listeners. Please consider supporting us at Patreon.com/CANADALANDSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While the public has loudly protested funding cuts to areas like education and autism support, cuts to arts and culture have gotten less attention. So how are the arts doing under the Ford Government? Where is this government cutting and what are they supporting? And finally... what art does Doug Ford actually like?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With a new Cabinet in place and ongoing allegations of nepotism in the Ontario government, we present to you: The Doug Ford Guide to Management. Plus, we play everyone's favourite political patronage game, "Guess The Relation." If you like this show, please consider supporting us on Patreon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tonight, we gather to honour the Doug Ford Government a year into their historic mandate. Our hosts hand out the much-coveted Douggie Awards to those who have shown tremendous achievements in spin, bootlicking and dramatically miming the hunt for beer in convenience stores. Join us for this unforgettable evening. This episode is sponsored by Penguin Random House Canada. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the month since the budget was released, we've gotten a lot more details about the Ford Government’s cuts. The environment is one area that's been hit hard, with plans to murder some baby trees, make it easier to kill endangered species', and fight the carbon tax with the most powerful tool on earth: stickers. We enter the world of commercial talk radio to see what some of Ford’s biggest cheerleaders think about this. And we find a glimmer of hope.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Ford Government's first budget is out. They call it "Protecting What Matters Most." We spend eight hours locked in a room with bureaucrats, reporters and cheap pizza to find out what exactly does matter most to Doug, once you put a dollar sign on it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Plus, the one he fulfilled that blew up in his face.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the Ford Government trying to privatize healthcare? Plus, a list of things Doug Ford has broken. Further reading: "The Secret Moves To Privatize Healthcare" in The Toronto StarSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An old friend of the Ford family has been appointed to head the Ontario Provincial Police, a job many consider him to be under-qualified for. We look back to Doug's history with Ron Taverner, as well as the group of unofficial advisors who surrounded the Fords for years. Plus, we introduce a new segment called... wait for it... "For the People." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We visit Ford Fest, where people wait for burgers and juice boxes in the dark as a white supremacist takes a selfie with the premier.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Doug Ford won't let some silly Charter get in his way! Just two and a half months in, he's poised to use a rare and extreme measure to win a petty legal battle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two months in, the Ford government just lost their first lawsuit. What makes it even more humiliating is they lost to Elon Musk. There are many other legal battles in the works.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's only been a month. Queen's Park Today publisher Allison Smith follows every move Doug Ford makes. CANADALAND news editor Jonathan Goldsbie covered him for years as a City Hall reporter. They're here to make sense of the chaos of the new Ford era. We will keep making this podcast if you want to hear it. So if you want episode 2, tell us! And tell other people to listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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