Always the public speaker, Peter Kormos lets the people listen on the campaign trail in Port Colborne last year. Now Kormos can be heard on the airwaves every Saturday on CFRB, during the political talk show This Week at Queen's Park.

It's no secret that Peter Kormos has the gift of gab.

That's why CFRB Newstalk 1010 radio has enlisted the Welland MPP's services for a talk radio show, which airs every Saturday. Now the long-serving provincial politician has other mediums to voice his passions, besides just at lockout lines in Port Colborne and during question period at Queen's Park.

"I've done a lot of this sort of stuff," said Kormos, in an interview from Queen's Park. "I like giving people the straight goods of what happens at Queen's Park instead of the party spin."

The show, called This Week at Queen's Park, airs every Saturday at 12:30 p.m., and features Kormos, the NDP house leader, alongside fellow panelist Liberal MPP Laurel Broten, the parliamentary assistant to the health minister. The final panelist is PC MPP Peter Shurman, representing the Thornhill riding. Shurman is a former CFRB radio host.

This Week at Queen's Park has the three elected officials ranting and raving, trying to get the upper hand and appear as if they are doing the most for their constituents.

Steve Kowch, operations manager in charge of programming at CFRB, said one show in particular turned into a real "barnburner."

"They were arguing," said Kowch. "They were taking each other to task."

This Week at Queen's Park however, does not feature caller commentary, as do many radio panel shows. Kormos said he doesn't mind call-ins which could add a nice touch to the show.

"I enjoy doing that," he said. "Most of the time you want to hear what people have to say."

Kormos, who has represented Welland, Thorold, south St. Catharines, previously Pelham and more recently, Port Colborne and Wainfleet, since 1988, has never been one to shy away from a debate. As a lawyer, he says he was trained by "some of the best," such as Charlie Ryall, Julie Lamarsh and Ellen Goodman.

He also attributes much of his tongue-lashing ability to his predecessor, Mel Swart, an NDP legend. Kormos might be guilty of the last filibuster at Queen's Park, when he held the caucus hostage with his argument on no-fault insurance in 1990.

But for Kormos, it's just about being a no-holds-barred, no-nonsense type of politician, something that's helped him maintain his high level of local support.

"People are tired of listening to spin," said Kormos.

Kowch knew that Kormos would be a good pick to represent the NDP, because "he's outspoken," he said. But being outspoken only counts if people will listen, and Kowch said the people are listening. CFRB is Canada's largest news-talk radio station.

"It's being very well-received by the listeners," said Kowch.