#onpoli, a TVO podcast

Donald Trump's trade threats have caused mass economic panic. Doug Ford and Justin Trudeau have threatened retaliatory tactics. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss what happens next and if this is just the president-elect's bluster. Ontario's post-secondary sector is facing a financial crisis with Sheridan College unveiling cuts to programming and staff lay offs. So, why is the provincial government ignoring the blue-ribbon panel that offered concrete solutions? The Ontario New Democratic Party and Marit Stiles have called on the integrity commissioner to investigate the province's fundraising targets. The Ontario Liberals and Bonnie Crombie have unveiled documents showing the desperate state of the family doctor crisis. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/admiration-for-trump-wont-win-ontario-politicians-any-brownie-points JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/opinion-fords-plan-a-for-the-next-trump-article-has-already-failedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ontario New Democratic party are pitching a new deal for municipalities that include re-uploading big costs to the province. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss the plan and react to Marit Stiles's appointment of former Toronto Mayor David Miller to a special position. Mississauga mayor Carolyn Parrish has found herself in hot water over a cancelled vigil to former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and comparing him to Nelson Mandela. So, why was Doug Ford's reaction so tame? Ontario has a found another potential site for long term storage for nuclear waste. Steve and JMM discuss why this facility will play a large role in the development of a clean energy future for the province. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/hockey-hall-of-famer-dick-duff-is-still-telling-stories-at-age-88 JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/opinion-cities-need-a-new-deal-what-should-they-have-to-give-up-to-get-oneSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie has made her first major election campaign promise: a tax cut for the middle class. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss how the Liberals are trying to outflank the Tories on the cost of living crisis. We now know the cost of the province's plan to remove bike lanes from Toronto's streets: $48 million. Can the city stop the removal?  Receiving presumptive care has gotten a little easier for wildland firefighters; however, union leaders argue the changes don't go far enough.  Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/toronto-honours-former-ontario-cabinet-minister-david-caplan JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/opinion-how-many-ways-can-ontario-fail-to-tackle-the-housing-crisisSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has been elected the 47th president of the United States. What are the implications for Ontario's economy? Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss what sectors will be impacted the most. The Ontario Liberal Party has a new line of attack on the family doctor shortage in the province. Ontario integrity commissioner is retiring early, so what happens to the office's investigations? Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/this-remembrance-day-richard-rohmer-will-be-returning-to-queens-park John Michael's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/opinion-legalize-housing-is-a-taller-order-than-queens-park-realizesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fall economic statement shows the province is raking in more money than previously thought, but is it enough to justify a $200 cheque to every Ontarian? Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss. Are you getting a COVID shot? Why uptake might not match previous years and why the province's chief medical officer has been silent about it. Doug Ford called out Sudbury NDP MPP Jamie West and says he's playing cards on the back bench. Is it just another signal that a spring election looms? Peter Bethlenfalvy joins the podcast to talk about the province's financial state of affairs and defends the government's books.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Queen's Park is back and still talking about bike lanes. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss the government's first big piece legislation and why it's so laser focused on bikes. Dr. Jane Philpott is taking charge of a provincial team that's looking to connect all Ontarians with a primary healthcare provider. It's an odd job for the former Liberal health minister although well within her wheelhouse, but will Doug Ford listen to her recommendations? Marit Stiles joins the podcast to talk about the NDP's plans for upcoming session at QP, the fact that 3 of her MPPs have left for Federal politics, and why she's the alternative Ontarians need right now.  Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/celebrating-a-man-who-knows-all-there-is-to-know-about-ontario-political-history JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/opinion-ontario-could-have-a-new-option-for-turning-offices-into-homes-if-the-government-takesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ontario Green Party leader Mike Schreiner joins the podcast to talk about his hopes for the party, the new session at Queen's Park, and much more. Want bike lanes in your city? Well, you'll have to run it by Queen's Park as the provincial government wants a say on where bike lanes go. Ontario Liberals are saying the Therme Spa deal is Doug Ford's 407. The NDP are calling for an investigation into it the deal. Meanwhile, Doug Ford will be sending you $200 in the mail. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/remembering-jim-peterson John Michael's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/opinion-governments-add-red-tape-to-stuff-they-want-to-suffocate-housing-and-bike-lanesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The province is undertaking an audit of children's aid societies in Ontario. This comes after Premier Doug Ford's criticized cost overruns and manager bonuses. Unions representing the organizations say the criticism is a smokescreen for decades of underfunding that have worsened conditions. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss the status of the system and what can be done to prevent tragedies. The provincial government has released the details of its lease to Therme. A 95-year lease will provide the province with $2 billion in revenue, which, if you do the math, isn't that much money per year. Steve and JMM discuss the fallout. Geoffrey Hinton, the so-called father of artificial intelligence, has words for Doug Ford over the closure of the Ontario Science Centre. The new Nobel laureate says people shouldn't elect someone who is willing to close an institution that embraced curiosity. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/is-this-marit-stiless-moment John Michael's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/opinion-toronto-gets-a-raw-deal-from-the-province-that-doesnt-mean-it-can-ignore-the-basicsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bhutila Karpoche is the third NDP MPP to seek a federal nomination. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath talk about why now might be the time to make the leap to Ottawa. Another transit headache for the City of Toronto as Mosaic, the builders behind the Finch LRT, sue the province over delays in opening the line. Should the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation be a provincial holiday in Ontario? Sol Mamakwa thinks it should be; the government isn't so sure. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/honouring-americas-first-centenarian-president John Michael's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/opinion-are-the-federal-liberals-facing-an-extinction-eventSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie joins Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath to discuss her plans ahead of a potential spring election, the OLP's new slogan, and how she tries to get under Doug Ford's skin. Premier Ford's comments telling homeless people to get off their butts and get jobs has him taking heat, and leaves many wondering if he's unaware of the pervasiveness of this issue. Doug Ford wants to build a highway underneath the 401. Will a feasibility study build his case or show that this is simple a pipe dream? John Michael's column: Coming Soon Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/what-can-we-learn-from-the-ontario-liberals-new-sloganSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.