#onpoli, a TVO podcast

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.

The 90-day reprieve on Donald Trump's global tariffs do not extend to Canada, so Ontario is offering tax breaks for businesses. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss why these temporary measures might need to be followed by long term solutions. There will be a 2-year feasibility study into Doug Ford's plan for a tunnel underneath the 401. Steve and JMM discuss the project's inevitable high price tag and other ways the province could ease congestion. The province is expanding strong mayor powers to 169 more municipalities in Ontario. These powers had already been given to mayors in larger cities to cut through red tape and get housing built, but is that happening? Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/three-former-political-adversaries-on-how-to-handle-trump JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-do-american-unions-really-believe-trumps-anti-globalist-visionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's Liberation Day has unleashed a suite of tariffs on the world, but Canada has escaped any additional ones. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath examine what effect the tariffs Canada is facing are having on the economy. A former executive assistant to Premier Doug Ford violated the province's lobbying rules, according to Integrity Commissioner J. David Wake. The violations occurred during lobbying for clients' land to be removed from the Greenbelt. Nico Fidani-Diker also offered Toronto Maple Leafs tickets to "public office holders" putting them into conflict of interest. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath examine the latest chapter in the Greenbelt scandal and the implications for the RCMP investigation into it. With every election comes inevitable "bozo eruptions," which is when a politicians is caught saying something unsavoury, which sometimes gets them kicked out of elected politics. Steve and JMM examine a few stories including former Liberal candidate Paul Chiang, and how Mark Carney fumbled his response. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/ive-covered-many-elections-i-wish-i-could-discuss-this-one-with-some-absent-friends JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-canadians-are-talking-about-big-projects-lets-try-small-ones-first Tariffs in Canada, explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzCThKVMlkg&tSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has called a snap election for April 28. John Michael McGrath and The Trillium's Jessica Smith Cross discuss how the Liberal Party's fortunes have changed amidst United States President Donald Trump's trade threats. John Michael and Jess examine the "Trump bump" and how Canada's premiers are benefiting from it, including Doug Ford, who has seen his approval rating skyrocket. A number of supervised consumption sites are set to close in Ontario at the start of April. Contradictory statements from lawyer representing the province and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones on whether these sites can relocate are confusing advocates for the sites.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's unusual to have both the Prime Minister of Canada and Premier of Ontario swear in their cabinets at the same time, so Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath compare and contrast the different approaches. A legal challenge from cyclists in Toronto has failed and now Doug Ford will likely go ahead with the removal of bike lanes in the city. Here's what could happen next and some insight into the consequences of this fight for one Tory MPP. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-did-the-opposition-parties-help-ford-win-another-majority JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-the-consumer-carbon-tax-is-dead-its-effects-will-live-on Have a comment or question? Email: onpolitics@tvo.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Doug Ford imposed an electricity surcharge on Monday, Donald Trump responded with doubling the tariffs on steel and aluminum, and then they called the whole thing off. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath examine a chaotic week in Canada and United States trade relations. Doug Ford's team at Queen's Park is going to look a lot like the old team with few MPPs losing their seats during the last election. The government will also deliver a full budget, and Steve and John Michael speculate what might be in that. The Supreme Court of Canada struck down Doug Ford's third party election spending law, which is a win for unions and civil society groups. Will the government use the notwithstanding clause to get it passed? Or will they drop this altogether? Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-what-is-chrystia-freelands-next-job Steve's other column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-can-mark-carney-avoid-repeating-history JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-should-doug-ford-do-with-voting-reform-what-he-did-with-beer-and-wineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.