#onpoli, a TVO podcast

Resistance to Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing its Economy Act, is heating up as it passed into law this week at Queen's Park. Will the bill lead to highway blockades and a resurgence of the Idle No More movement? Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss the growing dissent toward the government's attempt to fast-track infrastructure projects. Members of Provincial Parliament are receiving a pay boost after nearly 15 years and access to a pension. Steve and John Michael discuss whether people will rise up in indignation at the increase or if they think it's about time. A new report from the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario confirms that rocky economic times are ahead for the province. Steve and JMM dig into the details and some dissonance between what the province is saying will happen and historical trends that say otherwise. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-ontario-will-uncrate-a-statue-of-canadas-first-prime-minister-what-took-so-long JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-bill-33-doesnt-dissolve-ontarios-school-boards-but-its-yet-another-hit-to-their-power Credit: T-shirt image of Mike Harris - King's Printer for Ontario/ola.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For third time ever, the monarch read the Government of Canada's speech from the throne. King Charles III reiterated Canada's sovereignty and ran through a laundry list of government priorities. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath break down the speech. The Government of Ontario is amending Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, after pressure from Indigenous groups. Steve and JMM dig into the changes the bill is pushing forward and what opposition groups can do to keep it from passing. The Ontario Greens and Ontario Liberals are co-sponsoring a bill to tackled homelessness in the province. Aislinn Clancy says building bridges within the legislature is part of what she ran on and a bill like this could help end this issue within a decade. The #onpoli podcast recorded this episode at the Isabel Bader Theatre at Victoria University at the University of Toronto. Special thanks to everyone who came out! Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-the-51st-state-nonsense-is-over-someone-should-tell-the-president JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/is-it-time-for-a-canadian-automakerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 19-year-old man is facing impaired driving charges after a crash that killed three children. The incident has some wondering if the province needs to implement even tougher rules for driving under the influence. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath weigh on what's happened and what's been done. Municipalities across Ontario are installing speed and red light cameras, but Premier Doug Ford isn't too happy hearing from drivers who are getting fined. Steve and JMM look at the new rules the province is introducing for these systems. The province's latest housing bill was published right before the budget, so the guys dig into the details there and whether or not these changes will increase housing starts. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-can-ontarios-colleges-survive-another-60-years JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-you-cant-make-housing-more-affordable-without-making-it-cheaper Live show details: onpoli-live.eventbrite.caSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ontario has delivered its budget for 2025 during an uncertain time for the Canadian economy. Steve Paikin, John Michael McGrath, and Jessica Smith Cross discuss the ins and outs of the budget.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has sent a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney outlining what projects he believes are in Ontario's best economic interest. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss how the relationship between the two levels of government is unfolding. Ontario's budget is being delivered on May 15th, but, unlike in the past, announcements on the province's spending aren't tightly guarded secrets. Steve and John Michael examine what's been announced so far and how much it will cost you. The Ontario Liberals have official party status, which gives them privileges at Queen's Park that they haven't had for a while. It's a big change for them, but they're still limited in what they can do faced by a majority government. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/my-lunch-with-old-political-friends JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-can-trump-destroy-ontarios-film-industry TVO Today Live: https://www.tvo.org/tvo-today-live President Trump Participates in a Bilateral Meeting with the Prime Minister of Canada, May 6, 2025 - The White House/youtube.com Bonnie Crombie media studio appearance: Courtesy Ontario Parliamentary NetworkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford launched into a tirade against Ontario's judges during a press conference about strengthening the province's bail system. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss how we got to the point where the premier says we need to elect judges. The Financial Accountability Office of Ontario has dire news on the impact of Donald Trump's tariffs. How bad will the economic fallout be? And the measles outbreak is ongoing, so where is Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore? Steve and John Michael dig into why the doctor is keeping out of the spotlight. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-the-most-important-thing-you-didnt-hear-on-election-night JMM's column: (coming soon) T-shirt image of Frank Miller - Anthony Miles/King's Printer for Ontario/wikipedia.org  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was by a narrow margin that Liberal leader Mark Carney declared victory last night to become Canada's 24th prime minister. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath break down the race as it unfolded and the role Ontario's voters played. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-they-left-queens-park-for-ottawa-did-voters-follow JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-what-mark-carney-must-learn-from-kathleen-wynneSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Minister of Education Paul Calandra is sending investigators to several school boards in Ontario to probe their finances, and, in one case, is recommending the ministry take control. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss how this happened. Could Donald Trump's trade threats lead to an improved interprovincial electrical transmission system? Advocates certainly hope that's the case, and it would be much needed as consumption is set to rise 75% by 2050. The province and its doctors have reached an agreement that should benefit patients in rural communities. Steve and JMM dig into the details and how this plays into the government's promise to connect every Ontarian with a family doctor. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/and-thats-the-agenda-thanks-for-watching JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-the-ford-government-unveiled-its-latest-economic-cheat-code-will-it-work Grassy Narrows River Run report: https://www.ontario.ca/page/final-report-review-toronto-district-school-boards-excursion-policy-and-procedureSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath look back on the Federal debate where Liberal Party Leader Mark Carney, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh duked it out. Who was the big winner? Who was the big loser? Who had the best moment? Will this change the election's outcome? What's it like watching this from the moderator's ringside seat? They also talk about what happened after the debate as leaders shook hands and spoke to one another. And what happened with the post-debate scrum that was cancelled. More on that here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/rebel-news-rightwing-media-press-conferences-debates-1.7512714 Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/everything-you-didnt-see-at-the-leaders-debate JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-ontario-will-spend-more-this-year-than-last-what-will-we-get-for-itSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Members of provincial Parliament have returned to Queen's Park and there's already a flurry of activity. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath break down the first week back and what's to come. Flamborough-Glanbrook MPP Donna Skelly was elected as the legislature's first female Speaker. It's an important role in the parliamentary system, and Steve and JMM take a deeper dive into what she'll be expected to do. The New York Times has published an investigation into Therme Group alleging the company misled the Province of Ontario during its submission process to build a spa on Toronto's waterfront. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/why-moderating-a-leaders-debate-is-like-refereeing-a-hockey-game JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-ontarios-free-trade-announcement-sounds-important-is-it New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/world/canada/therme-spa-ontario-canada.htmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.