Les Stewart

THE PAIKIN PODCAST: Why this man thinks he can save the federal NDP

Yes of course it is.I thinks that's the other magnificent nations' aspiration: Return of the founder's land theft.

VIDEO: Time running out to get your slice of $500M bread price-fixing deal

The ON grocery industry has two vertically-integrated conglomerates. Canadian federal regulators are much more tolerant of very high levels of concentration in every sector than othe G7 countries.Canada Bread (Dempster's) had the largest market share of fresh bread manufacturing and was owned by Michael McCain. In 2014, Canada Bread was sold to Grupo Bimbo, Mexico for CAD$1.83 billion.I worked for the 900 delivery person's independent franchisee association called the National Bread Network, NBN. Over (90) ninety per cent of the 900 chose not to finanancially support the organizing effort.Only the non-thinking and company-men deride collective protection for small businesspeople.Franchising is Unsafe at any BrandMr. Les Stewart MBAMidhurst, ONLes Stewart ConsultingFormer Director, Member Services, National Bread NetworkPresident, Canadian Alliance of Franchise OperatorsFranchiseFool

- Les Stewart

THE PAIKIN PODCAST: Why this man thinks he can save the federal NDP

Canada BreadIt was primarily the Howard Hampton ON NDP that brokered Canada's most pro-franchisee law: Arthur Wishart Act (Franchise Disclosure), 2000.Blue and red parties refused to talk to us as the Ministry of Consumers and Commercial Relations said ON 5,000 new lawsuits per year, No support from 1970 to 2000.The 40,000 ON families that currently rent a business format franchise such McDonald's, Tims, GM, Loblaw suffer much less risky business because of these leaders. Esp, Mr. Tony Martin NDP MPP MP of Sault Ste. Marie.File for your share of the CDN $500-million class-action award: widespread alleged price fixing sliced bread, 2001-21. Corporate Canada?Thank the 1,000 Canada Bread/Dempster’s truck franchisees for their tenacity in delivering that settlement “dough” to your family.Mr. Les Stewartfounder Canadian Alliance of Franchise OperatorsMidhurst, ON

- Les Stewart

MPP warns system is letting under-trained truck drivers onto highways

OrilliaMatters

Modern trucking: wage theft, wage slavery, no training, class lines drawn, superficial media analysis, misdirection, jackknived rigs, lost tires, unsecure loads, etc.In the 1980s, I was a Teamster a living wage, was well-trained and enjoyed a good life. My employer was Unitog Canada. They owed me a duty of care because employees are in a position of vulnerability v employers.2026: all drivers are now contracted out to broker trademark-based brokers. The vulnerability for abuse remains with this re-classification of (employee => sub-contractor) under law.Three forms of commercial legal relationships: 1. employee <=> employer, 2. sub-contractor <=> contractor, and 3. franchisee <=> franchisor.OPINION: Modern truckers are franchisees under the law. https://lesstewart.wordpress.com/The public loses as more tires fly off ON transport trucks, injuring and worse the driving public.

- Les Stewart

VIDEO: Your local grocery store won’t be forced to collect empties after all

More theatre from the late Ms. Hilary Mary Weston, CM CVO OOnt, 26th ON Lieutenant-Governor General's family.The ON grocery industry is made up of 2 vertically-integrated conglomerates, misdirecting the public with multiple brands or banners (ie. the illusion if competition). Corporate concentration allows for windfall profits (economic rents) not an accident but predictable in imperfect markets. The heir grocery to the grocery kingdom says "The corporation I manage only makes 3 per cent profit per year", which is both true and insincere at the same time. Other legal entities trap profits while farmers and franchisees are price takers. The 2025, $500-million Loblaw settlement class action lawsuit (price-fixing allegations in the fresh bread market. Chump change. Really the "empty policy surprise" ? I smell a rat.NOTE: by DECEMBER 12th, check to see if you're eligible for, what is estimated, to $500.00compensation per registrant. https://www.canadianbreadsettlement.ca/

- Les Stewart

VIDEO: Time running out to get your slice of $500M bread price-fixing deal

Let's not forget the "right-sizing" (same or higher price for smaller goods) of not just fresh bread but many other staples in all of your local grocery outlet.Buy as much as you can from farmers directly.

- Les Stewart

VIDEO: Another day, another record-breaking fentanyl bust

Immigrants, Catholics (Irish Catholics especially) were always the traditional scapegoats in the Ku Klx Klan in Ontario history. In the summer of 1926 in Barrie: fiery cross and 2,000 spectators at the top of Toronto Street (where that high rise is being built) and two weeks later the bombing of St. Mary's RC church on Mulcaster street in Barrie.Drug users, the mentally unwell and "unhomed" should update the hit list as Barrie Council in 2016 celebrates the 100th nationally-known acts of hate. All groups will likely take the brunt of the hate- and fear-mongering as the classes are turned against each other.I think it's safe to say racism is alive and well in Simcoe County. The sheets are in the closet but white supremacy, intolerance and hate remains persistent in Huronia. - p. 76, The Ku Klux Klan in Canada, A Century of Promoting Racism and Hate in the Peaceable Kingdom, Allan Bartley PhD, 2020.

- Les Stewart

Barrie annexation moves key step closer to completion: province

OrilliaMatters

For balance, I volunteer to be interviewed for Springwater township. Perhaps Jane Voorheis from Oro-Medonte? Orillia as the next Simcoe's water pipeline?

- Les Stewart

Councillor takes fight against 'weaponized' integrity commissioner sanctions to provincial leaders

OrilliaMatters

Ms. Bell is not alone in in expressing a deep concern for ON municipal government level. Good faith questioning frequently results in open but hidden-from-the public, undue influence.Springwater and Tiny Townships have wider and deeper divisions. Springwater is particularly worrying where 4 of 7 councillors are consistently having their/our political wills stymied by Strong- Mayor Powers.Freedom of speech is one but the primary right: all others flow from it. That's why it and Right to Associate are in Section (2) of the CDN Charter of Rights and Freedoms.Denying minority human rights, especially to someone elected to exercise those duties under oath, should be viewed very, very skeptically. The adage, "every accusation is an admission", may be appropriate here.Blind loyalty, special interests and an "eye-for-an-eye" mentality should have no place in our responsible governments.Mr. Les Stewart, Midhurst https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010208321432

- Les Stewart

'A shame': Ramara spent $50K on integrity commissioner in 2025

OrilliaMatters

"In every accusation, an unwitting confession".As a Springwater Township resident who lives 0.6 km away from the County and Township administration centres, Ms. Sherri Bell accurate but not alone in this dilemma.A "Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation", SLAPP is normally viewed as a commercial corporation using frivolous civil lawsuits against a citizen to stop them from their perfectly legal and protected (but uncomfortable) opinions.In my opinion, four of the seven Springwater Township members are being "SLAPP"ed by the mayor who happens to be the county's Deputy Warden. Our former mayor paid +$60,000 for what turned out to be his frivolous legal action concerning electoral financial reporting.The Strong-Mayor Powers, IC bias, and Family Compact-style paternalism allow a continuous, anti-democratic influence delivered by Council on behalf of undisclosed powerLes Stewart MBA BAhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010208321432

- Les Stewart

COLUMN: Taxpayers face steep costs amid forced boundary expansion

OrilliaMatters

The deeper in debt, the fewer alternatives for future generations.The next few councils will be not be able to resist the relentless push to privatize of monopoly infrastructure, including water supply and wastewater. Happy with Highway 407 stories, written large?"Debt traps" are the means toward the ends for radical municipal financialization schemes. The Strong-Mayor Powers have turned many councils into president:minority relationships instead of equality among mayors, deputy mayor and councillors.Would you expect to see these unwanted trends to continue (or reverse) if you vote this October to extend the +200 year one-party rule in Orillia?Simcoe County: not the "wild west" anymore but sold to the highest bidder.

- Les Stewart

MPP warns system is letting under-trained truck drivers onto highways

OrilliaMatters

"Capitalism is the astounding belief that the most wickedest of men will do the most wickedest of things for the greatest good of everyone." - John Kenneth Galbraith, Keynesian economistThe highway "accident" shrines will increase.The publics' death toll from flying tires, loads will increase. Unfettered greed and the neoliberal mindset (vicious de-regulation) will throw everyone off the scent: putting hapless, desperate brown people into an impossibly.Everyone will blame the individual (not the industry "leaders").Everyone will scroll away from the medias' twisted narratives.

- Les Stewart

Former HRC resident recounts abuse and resilience in new book

OrilliaMatters

The highest obligation to a care giver, under law, is called a "fiduciary duty". "WHAT IS FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION?The legal system recognizes many special relationships in which one party is required to look after the best interests of the other in the best possible way. These relationships are called fiduciary relationships. They include solicitor/client, physician/patient, priest/parishioner, parent/child, partner/partner, director/corporation and principal/agent relationships. Fiduciary relationships involve trust and confidence. They require that the fiduciary (i.e., the party entrusted with taking care of another party) acts honestly, in good faith, and strictly in the best interests of the other party (i.e., the beneficiary)." - The Canadian Encyclopedia (https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/law-of-fiduciary-obligation)Let's be known for how we celebrate the most vulnerable among us.

- Les Stewart

Ramara councillor delivers 'acceptable' apology, welcomed back

OrilliaMatters

Does behavior largely come from the “inside-out” or from the “outside-in”?Most people believe a very good person with great intentions and broad public support can overcome the countervailing local political power hierarchy. The person can overcome the odds from the inside-out. * As I age, I am inclined to disagree with this majority view: behavior is caused by the situation [“outside-in”, Google "situationalism (psychology)].A situation will defeat even the strongest individual. That a heavily inbred, +200 year-old one-party, paternalistic power structure will punish and defeat any serious reform. Ruthlessly, btw.In my opinion, no one person can make a difference in opposing a hostile modern Family Compact, international financiers, and deeply compromised provincial government.Good candidates would be transformed into cannon fodder zombies.

- Les Stewart

Truckers speak out: Wage theft, unsafe trucks, and broken enforcement

BayToday

Every person needs to band together in unity: * one twig is easily broken; 50-100 twigs bound together cannot be broken.These truckers are NOT employees OR agents: ON franchise law defines them as FRANCHISEES (see Section 1, https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/00a03)Should it come as a surprise that trucking trademarked owners lie to you to keep you subservient?To Do: * one franchisee trucker sues their trademark franchisor (trademark owner) claiming that they're, in law, a franchisee and deserving of protection under the Arthur Wishart (Franchise Disclosure) Act 2000, * class-action (just like the recent 700 Canada Bread fresh bread driver-lead price-fixing scandal), * start negotiating for a living wage, including * "good faith and fair dealings" for all CDN truckers.0.5-B settlement started with one driver calling me.Mr. Les Stewart MBAMidhurst, ONhttps://lesstewart.wordpress.com/

- Les Stewart