
#onpoli, a TVO podcast
#onpoli, a TVO podcast, is all about Ontario politics. Join hosts Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath for candid interviews and a deeper understanding of how politics touches our day-to-day lives. When it comes to #onpoli, we're here to give you the bigger picture.
Latest episodes

Apr 11, 2023 • 28min
Ontario's sprawling changes to housing policy
The Ontario government's latest housing strategy, the Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act helps renters avoid bad-faith evictions and gain access to air conditioning, but also encourages sprawl, endangers farmland, and puts redevelopment pressure on rental housing.Mitzie Hunter is resigning from her seat at Queen's Park to fully commit to a run at becoming Toronto's mayor. That also means her riding of Scarborough-Guildwood is now heading for a byelection with Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith signaling his intention to run. However, just because they're in the same party doesn't mean it'll be an easy win. Many, including other Ontario Liberal hopefuls, may want to run in the riding, which could make this interesting.Should polls be banned shortly before an election? Ontario's chief electoral officers seems to think so, but the federal government attempted to implement a polling blackout law back in the 1990s, which ultimately failed. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath poll one another on their thoughts on this idea. 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.

Apr 4, 2023 • 33min
Should Canada pay to keep Toronto's property taxes low?
The federal budget came down last week with little love for municipalities. Toronto will have to deal with its $1 billion budget fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and it will likely result in property tax increases or cuts to services. This is the backdrop on which the Toronto mayoral race officially got underway with candidates, such as Mitzie Hunter, putting their names forward for the big job.The Ontario NDP just released a postmortem on the 2022 provincial election. A highlight of the report is the idea to engage voters earlier. It's something we see a lot in the United States with their perpetual election cycle. Could that be coming here?And Ontario's first Poet Laureate Randell Adjei joins the podcast to talk about the last two years of being in the role. Steve and John Michael speak to him about resilience, positivity, and poetry. 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.

Mar 28, 2023 • 37min
Ontario's budget braces for a recession
Peter Bethlenfalvy unveiled the province's budget with an eye to balancing it during some extraordinary financial times. The document outlines plans to get inflation back to its ideal target of 2 per cent and return to a surplus by 2025, but will it happen? If a recession hits, will Ontario be prepared? We also dig into health care spending, the biggest ticket item in the document.Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault and Doug Ford are at loggerheads over plans to develop around Rouge National Urban Park. We explain the federal act that's preventing development from going ahead.Merrilee Fullerton, the MPP for Kanata-Carelton and Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, has resigned. Michael Parsa, will take over. We look at the ramifications of this resignation. 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.

Mar 21, 2023 • 45min
Who gets a say in Ontario's budget process?
Ontario Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy will present the province's budget on March 23rd. He talks to Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath about who exactly has a say on what gets included important document. Consultations with the public play a role, but so does Premier Doug Ford, as well as former finance ministers. Sarah Jama was elected as the MPP for Hamilton Centre, which was Andrea Horwath's former riding. We discuss her win and what comes next, but also the controversy that has surrounded her past advocacy. Volkswagen announced it will be opening a battery plant in St. Thomas, Ontario. Very little is known about the deal or how taxpayer dollars might have gone into wooing the German auto manufacturer. But will producing more batteries offset the environmental cost of mining? 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.

Mar 14, 2023 • 33min
So, what's the health care plan?
According to the Financial Accountability Office's latest report, Ontario's outlook on health care is looking a little precarious. The province will need 7,500 new hospital beds, 86,700 additional nurses and personal support workers, and a lot more money - about $21 billion more. Peter Weltman joins the podcast to discuss these figures in detail and layout what Ontario needs to do to reach its targets. The Ontario Court of Appeal ruled Bill 307 unconstitutional last week - a bill that the Ford government used the notwithstanding clause to push through. We look at the ruling and what happens next. And, Vincent Ke, MPP for Don Valley North, stepped down from the Conservative caucus last week due to allegations of political interference from China's Toronto consulate. 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.

Mar 7, 2023 • 34min
Ontario's Liberals flip the script on voting rules
Independent MPP Bobbi Ann Brady discusses Bill 62 aiming to protect farmland in Ontario. The podcast also touches on the new voting system for Ontario Liberals. Ontario and Quebec seek project proposals to enhance French-language development, showing cooperation between the provinces.

Feb 28, 2023 • 28min
The Ontario government grilled over trucker protests
The judge in charge of investigating the use of the Emergencies Act last year found it troubling that the Ford government didn't get involved in stopping the protests until a blockade formed in Windsor, threatening economic activity crossing the Detroit River. These are harsh findings for the Ontario government. Mike Schreiner is remaining the leader of the Green Party of Ontario as he passes up the chance to run for the Ontario Liberal leadership. The legislature returned last week and so too did questions about Doug Ford's daughter's stag and doe party. Developers paid thousands to attend the event and the premier seems unaware of the poor optics on this story. 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.

Feb 21, 2023 • 29min
Doug Ford on the defensive over donations to daughter
Premier Doug Ford finds himself in hot water over a pricey fundraiser for the wedding of one of his daughters. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss what kind of trouble this could cause the Progressive Conservative government. Ontario unveiled its latest fiscal outlook last week. Does the province think a recession is on the way? The federal government is adjusting its ridings in Ontario. Will the provincial government follow suit? 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.

Feb 14, 2023 • 29min
John Tory resigns. Now what?
A high-stakes election is on the way for the mayor's chair in Toronto and with no incumbent it's anybody's race. Who will vie for the big seat? The province and the federal government are figuring out a health care funding arrangement. Don Valley East MPP Adil Shamji is here to give his take. And Queen's Park is shutting down... for renovations. It could cost taxpayers more than $1 billion. Is fixing up the Pink Palace worth the cost? 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.

Feb 7, 2023 • 27min
Could Mike Schreiner lead Ontario's Liberals?
A group of Ontario Liberals are hoping to convince Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner to run for the party leadership. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath dig into what they're asking for and how switching parties has precedent. The federal government is hosting a health summit this week to hammer out a deal with the provinces over funding. We investigate what's at stake for your health care as Doug Ford goes to Ottawa. Marit Stiles was appointed leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party last weekend. She hopes to get the disengaged engaged in politics and to vote her into power next election. 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.