TRILLIUM TALK: 'You can't put your butt on both sides of the fence,' Doug Ford tells mayors

Welcome back to Trillium Talk, your must-see briefing from Village Media’s team of journalists at the Ontario Legislature. 

Every Sunday, Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our staffers at The Trillium to talk about the week that was at Queen's Park — and the week ahead.

On the show today is reporter Alan S. Hale, who joined our team of political journalists last month when Village Media acquired Queen's Park Today.

Hale breaks down some of the specifics of the Ford government's fall economic statement — including the $200 rebate cheques that every Ontarian is about to receive.

He also explains why the premier had some choice words for Ontario's big city mayors, who aren't on the same page when it comes to dealing with homeless encampments in their communities. Some — but not all — want the province to use the notwithstanding clause to allow individuals living in encampments with severe mental illnesses or addiction to be forced into treatment.  

"You can't put your butt on both sides of the fence — you'll get a lot of slivers," Ford told reporters, when asked about the mayors. "You don't sit there and say: 'Well, let's see if the province is going to do it.' Guys, you are either going one side or the other."

Looking for other episodes of Trillium Talk? You can find all of them HERE.

Launched last year by Village Media, which operates this community website, The Trillium is a comprehensive news and information source devoted exclusively to insider coverage of Ontario politics.

Passionate and plugged in, The Trillium delivers the major political headlines of the day while unpacking complex policy changes and digging deeper into key issues that impact every Ontarian. Our dogged journalists also keep a close watch on legislative debates, question period, public appointments, lobbying activity and regulatory proposals.

The Trillium is a subscription-based news service designed especially for Queen’s Park stakeholders, such as public servants, political staffers, business leaders, lobbyists and strategists. But the site also features free content that is regularly published across our chain of local news sites.

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