Doug Ford, Political Genius episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 29, 2026 · 35 MIN

Doug Ford, Political Genius

from CANADALAND

Doug Ford is facing public scrutiny for his changes to Freedom of Information and his “gravy plane” fiasco. But throughout his career, Ford has leveraged his folksy persona to deflect and distract from his scandals. Behind the shtick is a calculated and effective political communications strategy, but has the “Uncle Doug” routine finally run out of steam?   Off The Record Call-in Details: What social media do you love or hate?Call in and let us know on Thursday April 30,from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM EDT.Head to callinstudio.com/show/canadaland or dial in at 888-401-7056 Host: San GrewalCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Sabrina NanjiIt’s crowd-finding time at Canadaland! Share this episode with three people or send them over to canadaland.com/share and we’ll help them get started with a starter pack of some of our favourite episodes. Further reading: Anti-Doug Ford rallies take place across Ontario to protest OSAP, FOI changes | CBC NewsDoug Ford regularly worked from home after ordering civil servants back to office | Globalnews.ca Ford government passes bill gutting Ontario freedom-of-information access - Toronto StarFord says no one in Canada is scrutinized like he is after backtracking on $28.9M private jet purchase | CBC News Opinion | Doug Ford's problem wasn't the plane, it was the politics - Toronto StarCanada Says Its Gold Is Traceable and Clean. So We Traced It. - The New York Times Manitoba to ban social media, AI chatbots for youth, premier says | CBC News  Sponsors:oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free! Douglas:  Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today.  Visit douglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offer.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 at our store, 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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Doug Ford is facing public scrutiny for his changes to Freedom of Information and his “gravy plane” fiasco. But throughout his career, Ford has leveraged his folksy persona to deflect and distract from his scandals. Behind the shtick is a calculated and effective political communications strategy, but has the “Uncle Doug” routine finally run out of steam?   Off The Record Call-in Details: What social media do you love or hate?Call in and let us know on Thursday April 30,from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM EDT.Head to callinstudio.com/show/canadaland or dial in at 888-401-7056 Host: San GrewalCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Sabrina NanjiIt’s crowd-finding time at Canadaland! Share this episode with three people or send them over to canadaland.com/share and we’ll help them get started with a starter pack of some of our favourite episodes. Further reading: Anti-Doug Ford rallies take place across Ontario to protest OSAP, FOI changes | CBC NewsDoug Ford regularly worked from home after ordering civil servants back to office | Globalnews.ca Ford government passes bill gutting Ontario freedom-of-information access - Toronto StarFord says no one in Canada is scrutinized like he is after backtracking on $28.9M private jet purchase | CBC News Opinion | Doug Ford's problem wasn't the plane, it was the politics - Toronto StarCanada Says Its Gold Is Traceable and Clean. So We Traced It. - The New York Times Manitoba to ban social media, AI chatbots for youth, premier says | CBC News  Sponsors:oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free! Douglas:  Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today.  Visit douglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offer.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 at our store, 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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Doug Ford, Political Genius

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This episode was published on April 29, 2026.

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Doug Ford is facing public scrutiny for his changes to Freedom of Information and his “gravy plane” fiasco. But throughout his career, Ford has leveraged his folksy persona to deflect and distract from his scandals. Behind the shtick is a calculated...

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