#onpoli, a TVO podcast

The Supreme Court of Canada has dismissed a request that would allow for the release of the Government of Ontario's mandate letters. While the decision puts an end to one hot button issue, it may have spawned another surrounding transparency in the government's decision-making processes. Olivia Chow's gambit to lower the tax hike for Torontonians seems to have paid off. The Federal government has announced $362.4 million dollars in funding for refugee supports without which, Chow said, the tax increase would have been higher. Her recent interactions with the Federal government have put many partnerships across levels of government into the spotlight.  The Pickering Nuclear Generating Station is getting refurbished. The project is already slated to cost $2 billion for the initial phase, but it could cost billions more to complete. Why invest in nuclear? Why not invest in more solar like the rest of the world? Dr. Chris Keefer joins the podcast to discuss nuclear energy and why he thinks it's necessary to reach a clean energy future. And a note to listeners, audio episodes of the podcast will be dropping on Fridays rather than Tuesdays starting February 16th. #onpoli is very excited to be introducing a video component to our show, but you'll still get the same high-quality audio in your feed every week. John Michael's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/the-pickering-nuclear-refurbishment-is-the-path-of-least-resistance-for-clean-energy Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/this-former-cabinet-minister-has-seen-his-life-transformed Donate to TVO: http://tvo.org/giveSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Private emails sent between two aides have added a new chapter to the Greenbelt scandal that has plagued the Ontario PC Party. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss how this revelation might affect public confidence in government decisions.A new cap on the number of international students could see Ontario's post-secondary schools facing dire financial straits. Schools are saying the decision was rushed, the Federal government says the two-year pause is necessary.Parm Gill, MPP for Milton and Minister of Red Tape Reduction, has resigned from Queen's Park to run federally for Pierre Poilievre. His goal is to take down Justin Trudeau, but his move highlights a schism in Canada's conservative political parties. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/rocco-rossi-isnt-retiring-hes-rewiring John Michael's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/will-there-be-enough-evs-to-meet-canadas-target-or-do-we-need-a-plan-b David Moscrop's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/the-greenbelt-scandal-takes-another-turn-and-trust-in-the-ford-government-takes-another-hit Donate to TVO: http://tvo.org/giveSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government of Ontario is set to expand the number of private health clinics allowed to perform certain types of surgeries and diagnostic procedures. Critics say the plan will further burden the healthcare system by pulling away hospital staff, while supporters say it's a necessary step to help struggling hospitals. Mike Schreiner has called on the Attorney General to probe the recent deal allowing for ServiceOntario kiosks in Staples stores. Part of that announcement included the planned closure of a number of ServiceOntario locations, a detail that's caused some concern. The Hazel McCallion Line is getting a new business case to lay out how it will connect Port Credit, Mississauga, and Brampton. It's one of several transit projects still being built in the province, but when will it open? That's the $4.6 billion dollar question. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/at-95-ontario-political-legend-bob-nixon-still-has-stories-to-tell JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/is-first-past-the-post-unconstitutional-an-ontario-court-says-no-but-the-fight-isnt-over JMM's column on Staples: https://www.tvo.org/article/please-premier-ford-dont-ruin-serviceontario Donate to TVO: http://tvo.org/give Nerene Virgin on the TVO@50 Podcast: https://omny.fm/shows/tvoat50/todays-specialSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a new year, but the same old priorities for the Government of Ontario: Housing, affordability, and healthcare. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss how they're going to, as Doug Ford says, ,Get it done?,Toronto has released a first look at its budget. The city has a huge deficit to fill and a property tax hike seems to be the answer, but how have Torontonians responded to that? Not well.Cyber-attacks seem to be growing and it feels like it's only a matter of time before the province gets attacked. The guys are joined by Donald Blair, an IT director, to discuss how to prevent a disaster. Kat Eschner's piece on social-assistance rates: https://www.tvo.org/article/social-assistance-rates-in-ontario-should-set-off-alarm-bells-report More from Kat: https://www.tvo.org/author/kat-eschner Donate to TVO: http://tvo.org/giveSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Region of Peel will remain whole for the foreseeable future, bringing a close to a months-long ordeal for the workers in the region. Regional staff were working toward a January 2025 timeline to dissolve the region, but now the transition board assigned to oversee that will look to create efficiencies instead. So, why cancel the deal? Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss the details and the shrewd politics involved.The sale of alcohol is expanding in the Province of Ontario to include corner stores, big box retailers, and gas stations by 2026. The province has already received a failing grade for its alcohol control measures from organizations like the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, so why not fail even harder? It's a deal four decades in the making, so why did it take this long and what's at stake now that it's almost here?Steve and JMM answer your burning questions before the end of the year in our annual year-end mailbag. Got a question, send it on through to onpolitics@tvo.org for future episodes. Donate to TVO: http://tvo.org/giveSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, newly minted Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie made her first appearances at Queen's Park. While she spoke about her priorities as leader, she also fired back against Doug Ford who had launched a series of attacks on her over luxury cars and a cottage in the Hamptons. The problem? She doesn't have either of those.Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath then look into the auditor general of Ontario's latest report. The report revealed that the business case for moving the Ontario Science Centre might not be as airtight as the government said it was, and many more revelations.And finally, Peel Region could be staying together after the Hazel McCallion Act nearly tore it apart. Steve and JMM discuss how the stunning numbers around tax increases were known for quite some time and why they're coming to light right now. The Auditor General report: https://www.auditor.on.ca/en/content/annualreports/annualreports.html Region of Peel panel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d8Ry5jeh54 Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/bonnie-crombies-first-week-couldnt-have-gone-much-better John Michael's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/doug-ford-has-no-excuse-for-sticker-shock-when-it-comes-to-dissolving-peel-regionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonnie Crombie, the new Ontario Liberal leader, discusses her political rise and the challenges ahead. The podcast also highlights the historic win of the Ontario Green Party in Kitchener-Centre, as well as the unveiling of the business case for moving the Ontario Science Centre. Is Bonnie Crombie in need of a seat in the legislature? The podcast analyzes her options. They also discuss the upcoming Auditor General's report and compare leadership elections and delegated conventions.

Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow have made an agreement that will give Canada's largest city billions in exchange for it stepping out of the way for a spa planned for Ontario Place.Then, Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss what could happen at the December 2nd Ontario Liberal Leadership Election. How will votes from student and women's associations play into who gets to lead the party into the next election? Will there be drama? Who will win? And they discuss the merits and pitfalls of the long-gone tradition of a delegated convention.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss the upcoming Ontario Liberal leadership election. Bonnie Crombie, Nate Erskine-Smith, Ted Hsu, and Yasir Naqvi have made their case as to why they should lead the party into the 2026 election, but we'll have to wait and see who will get the top spot. Stay connected to #onpoli and the latest politics across Ontario and at Queen’s Park: https://www.tvo.org/ For questions or to suggest topics, email us at onpolitics@tvo.org Listen to more TVO Podcasts: https://www.tvo.org/podcasts Subscribe to TVO Media Education Group newsletters: https://www.tvo.org/newsletters Subscribe to The Agenda with Steve Paikin on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/theagenda Follow Steve Paikin on Twitter - https://twitter.com/spaikin Follow John Michael McGrath on Twitter - https://twitter.com/jm_mcgrath Get the TVO Today app: App Store: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/tvo-today/id1616182112 Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.tvo.tvomediaapp&pli=1 See more ways to access The Agenda with Steve Paikin and TVO Today: https://www.tvo.org/tvo-anytime-anywhere TVO Today is a trusted source of insight and information about life in Ontario and beyond. Our award-winning current affairs journalism, documentaries and podcasts explore relevant issues and inspiring solutions. Visit https://www.tvo.org for more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, Bonnie Lysyk, Ontario's auditor general, released a report detailing recent changes to the Greenbelt and how there’s evidence of bias in the selection of lands that were removed. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss what's been levied against Doug Ford and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark, and what steps the government will take to fix their process. Stay connected to #onpoli and the latest politics across Ontario and at Queen’s Park: https://www.tvo.org/ For questions or to suggest topics, email us at onpolitics@tvo.org Listen to more TVO Podcasts: https://www.tvo.org/podcasts Subscribe to TVO Media Education Group newsletters: https://www.tvo.org/newsletters Subscribe to The Agenda with Steve Paikin on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/theagenda Follow Steve Paikin on Twitter - https://twitter.com/spaikin Follow John Michael McGrath on Twitter - https://twitter.com/jm_mcgrath Get the TVO Today app: App Store: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/tvo-today/id1616182112 Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.tvo.tvomediaapp&pli=1 See more ways to access The Agenda with Steve Paikin and TVO Today: https://www.tvo.org/tvo-anytime-anywhere TVO Today is a trusted source of insight and information about life in Ontario and beyond. Our award-winning current affairs journalism, documentaries and podcasts explore relevant issues and inspiring solutions. Visit https://www.tvo.org for more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.