Ontario election becomes a game of chicken

The premier can afford to ignore it

Ont. Liberal Party War Room @OLPWarRoom

Doug Ford and his debate-dodging candidates are playing a game of chicken. So we called in a pro. #onpoli

Thirty years after Chicken George played a role in the U.S. presidential election, the Ontario Liberals acquired a costume to demonstrate which Tories haven’t shown up for debates. But polling shows the only race is for second place, as Doug Ford’s re-election momentum even led to Toronto Star front page flattery.

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Piling on Poilievre (en français)

Brian Lilley @brianlilley

The battle for the Conservative leadership hit Quebec Wednesday night with a French debate. Lots of attacks among the candidates who can actually speak French and some name dropping of me. Read & RT #cdnpoli #cpcldr

torontosun.comLILLEY: Conservative leaders debate a battle between Poilievre and the ‘little coalition’The debate of six candidates in French was really down to the three who can speak the language - Poilievre, Charest and Brown.

Patrick Brown referenced “journaliste respecté” Brian Lilley in the process of attacking Pierre Poilievre for having previously campaigned in favour of the carbon taxes he now rails against. The first French-language debate of Conservative leadership hopefuls found Brown getting assists from Jean Charest in what their target called a “little coalition.”

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Confusion over a CBC News story about Justin Trudeau cancelling a fundraiser appearance. What was initially headlined as having happened “after protesters hurl[ed] racial slurs” in Surrey, B.C., was changed to “protest-related safety concerns.” Other reports attributed the issue to protesters yelling at the mostly South Asian attendees.

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Abuse Hurts drops its voice

The fallout from John Derringer officially being placed on hiatus at Q107 Toronto after allegations about his workplace behaviour picked up wider media steam that led to radio industry members wondering what was ignored, while venerating his longevity. But the head of the charity he boosted for years heard no indication of their spokesman’s reputation:

Toronto Star @TorontoStar

#Breaking: Canadian abuse charity cuts ties with Q107 radio host John Derringer following verbal abuse allegations.

thestar.comCanadian abuse charity cuts ties with Q107 radio host John Derringer following verbal abuse allegationsAbuse Hurts CEO says organization depended on partnership with Derringer for the bulk of its fundraising, but is severing its connection with him in light of abuse allegations from the radio host’s former co-workers.

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American broadcast TV upfronts ain’t what they used to be. And the slim pickings mean the Canadian model of structuring prime time around those shows is fading fast. But the Global drama Family Law has a slot on The CW network, while CTV’s sitcom Children Ruin Everything is left to the mercy of U.S. streaming discovery on the Roku Channel.

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Finally, question after quarantine

I Used to Think I Could Fly is the debut album title for Tate McRae, who came from Calgary framed as Canada’s Billie Eilish, then navigated the surreal process of pop stardom in different states of lockdown. But on the other side lies interview product placements and a new music video about being a parking valet gone wild: