680News political affairs specialist John Stall on politics.
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Harder now for co-author of budget to kill it
Anything can happen between now and the day the budget bill comes up for approval in the legislature, but it seems at this hour, based on what NDP leader Horwath has said, that the Liberal government will survive at least a year rather than be given campaign walking papers by the NDP.
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Ontario budget preview: How do you say “no” to “yes”?
Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath faces one of the most pivotal decisions of her political life once the provincial budget is tabled later today.
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Just (in) being himself
If nothing else, the ad war between Justin Trudeau and CPC is an amusing distraction or entertaining sidebar to the what’s really going on and being talked about at real kitchen tables and offices across the country.
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Hollywood can’t trump real life
I was torn between hoping “Argo” would win the Oscar for best picture and hoping it, Ben Affleck and George Clooney were denied the international lift fueled by the Oscar because of the distorted record of history it exploits.
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Wynne is comfortable in all of her skin
It didn’t take Kathleen Wynne very long to process the life changing victory that catapulted her into arguably the second most powerful political position in Canada — not to mention the history books — as the nation’s first openly gay leader.
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Ont. Liberal leadership prediction: Pupatello in 4
Yes, it is risky for a political analyst like me to make predictions, but at my age living dangerously makes the living all the more worthwhile — so I am going to offer my gut sense of what I think will happen over the weekend at Ontario Liberal leadership convention.
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Del Grande is a professional money-manager not a professional politician
I had no idea that Mike Del Grande was going to resign as the City of Toronto’s budget chief — when I posted the piece yesterday that I thought he was the best budget chief the city has ever had — but I am not surprised, nor do I blame him.
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Del Grande is damn good!
The annual budget debate is always contentious and can easily become a bit of political circus. It is also always split down political lines with those on the left trying to influence more spending on socially-skewed city services.
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All I want for Christmas is “real good tan”
By the time you read this I will be on a sunny beach in florida with my toes in the water and ass in the sand…
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POLITICS BLOG: Conflict of interest act doesn’t have to change, the politicians do
Okay, let’s calm down now that Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has been told by the divisional court that he can remain in the Mayor’s office until his conflict of interest case is appealed on the 7th of January. At least there will be some certainty until then as council considers next year’s budget. Speaking of
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The apple doesn’t fall far from the Trudeau tree
I’ve been predicting for years that Justin Trudeau will be the next Liberal Prime Minister of Canada. That is if the Liberal Party doesn’t merge with the NDP or morph into some other entity. Either way, it is going to be fascinating to watch. I came to that conclusion while in Montreal covering his father’s
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My man in Tehran & kudos to Ben Affleck
Yesterday was one of those really great days at work for me — when you come home feeling emotionally and professionally fulfilled.
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Rob, get a driver!
Ok, this is no longer funny Rob. Get a driver before you do serious harm to yourself or somebody else.
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No one could embarrass Rob Ford
As Mayor Rob Ford meets with Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Toronto, Ont., Tuesday, to discuss this city’s fight against against guns and gangs, you have to wonder how the PM will explain to him that the idea of somehow preventing anyone convicted of gun crimes from living in Toronto, after they get out of jail, would be a pretty tough legal act.
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The education of Rob Ford
It is not my intent to criticize Mayor Rob Ford for the sake of criticism — his heart in the right place in response to gang violence in Toronto. I question weather his mind and mouth are though.
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Toronto is not a “war zone”
I was born and raised in the Keele Street and Lawrence Avenue West area of the city. I just turned 60 years old last week and I think it’s worth pointing out that even though I have covered a number of gun-related incidents over the years from the radio studio, I have never, in all
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Why I think Obama will be re-elected in November
Yes, a week is a long time in politics and anything can happen between now and U.S. election day, but I predict Barrack Obama will be re-elected for the same reasons he became president four years ago.
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Man in Motion makes his 25-year victory lap
As the Rick Hansen 25-year anniversary relay wraps up Wednesday (May 23) where it began in Vancouver, I’m happy to reach into the digital archives to relive his finish line moment.
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Dwight Howard: From Superman to Superbaby
Another multi-million-dollar cry baby athlete gets his way. The “Superman” vs. “Stan the Man” saga is finally over in Mickeyland, and yet in many ways it is just beginning for the Orlando Magic as a franchise. Hulking centre Dwight Howard finally got his way over the weekend when the Magic decided to fire Head Coach
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The Left wing European wave is lapping onto Canadian Tory shores
While reporting on 680 news the astonishing victory over Nicholas Sarkosy earlier this week of French socialist leader Francois Hollande, I added the colour line that ” It would be like Thomas Mulcair beating Stephen Harper here in Canada ” . Hollande’s victory was remarkable because it has been 17 years since a socialist party has governed in

