#onpoli, a TVO podcast

MPPs are heading into an extended summer break. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss what has, and has not, been accomplished this year. Plus, how is the opposition reacting to the long break? Ontario Premier Doug Ford is in the United States making his pitch for "Fortress North America," and making the rounds on American media. Steve and John Michael discuss how the premier is working with politicians on the ground. But will the Trump administration listen? Matthew Shoemaker, the mayor of Sault Ste. Marie, joins Steve and JMM to talk about a new book on Sir William Hearst, Ontario's sole premier to come from The Soo. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/can-a-little-known-policy-wonk-win-the-liberal-leadership-race JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-what-does-ontario-gain-from-fortress-north-americaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tribunal found that nothing corrupted the Ontario Liberals' controversial nomination meeting in Scarborough Southwest. Hosts Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss why Nathaniel Erskine-Smith's allegations were rejected, and what comes next. They also look at emerging advocacy to change the party's voting rules, as well as new names that have entered the Ontario Liberal leadership race. Plus, Ontario finally passes a new law regulating the inappropriate behavior of municipal politicians. Advocates say it's a first step, but the threshold for disciplinary action raises eyebrows. Will the law actually help? Then, Doug Ford lashed out at another judge's decision this week. A judge decided it was a Charter violation for Waterloo to clear an encampment that allegedly stands in the way of transit development. Were Doug Ford's comments out of line? Some legal academics believe Ford's statements threaten the independence of Canadian Courts. Finally, in "Your Column, My Column," JMM looks at whether new rules around grocery store leases could bring grocery prices down. And Steve pays tribute to one of Toronto's original political mavericks, Howard Moscoe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Choosing the new Ontario Liberal candidate in Scarborough Southwest has gone sideways. Ahsanul Hafiz won by 19 votes, but runner-up Nate Erskine-Smith says he has reason to appeal. Is he right? Hosts Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath parse what Steve saw at the Liberal nomination meeting, including some things he found quite unusual. Then, Steve and JMM discuss the Ontario government's takeover of Conestoga College. And finally, the Auditor General issued four special reports, outlining concerns around trucker training, artificial intelligence use in government, special education services, and how the government enforces court orders in spousal and child support. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Doug Ford's drop in popularity just a blip, or is there reason for Ontario's Progressive Conservatives to be concerned? Hosts Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath break down the latest poll numbers and how they would translate to seats. Then, the hosts look at how Minister of Education Paul Calandra made a rare appearance at the committee discussing Bill 101, and why his comments to union leaders prompted criticism. Finally, how might Mark Carney's new Canada Strong Fund support Ontario's future goals? Just look at the Ford government's economic priorities: nuclear power and critical minerals. In "Your Column, My Column," JMM discusses how the federal government might consider positioning itself on the Billy Bishop Airport, and Steve wonders why Doug Ford has been so ornery, and discusses his ad hominem attacks against Liberal MPP Stephanie Smyth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bill Blair's resignation as MP for Scarborough Southwest has spurred a flurry of political moves in Ontario. Doly Begum, formerly the Ontario New Democratic Party's deputy leader, announced she will run for the federal Liberals in the riding; Liberal MP Nate Erskine Smith announced he'll run in Doly's former provincial riding. John Michael McGrath, Émilie Gougeon-Pelletier, and Sabrina Nanji discuss why this is such a big deal. The Eglinton Crosstown finally has an opening date, but will the opening be full steam ahead or go off the rails? John Michael, Émilie, and Sabrina discuss how the line got here and the precedents that could signal how rocky its start may be. The Darlington Refurbishment Project was delivered early and under budget. This project is part of Ontario's energy strategy and will allow the reactor to continue functioning for years to come. So, why did the province scrap its climate targets when it's on the cusp of a nuclear boom? JMM, Émilie, and Sabrina dig into the larger, legal context. JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-doug-ford-looks-invincible-will-that-lastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has opened the door for China to enter Canada's electric vehicle market. That has left Doug Ford steaming and calling on Canadians to boycott the vehicles. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss what the premier could do to stymie the process. But are the economic realities of the PM's decision are already hitting home? The Province of Ontario is looking to pause an inclusionary zoning requirement that forced developers to build affordable housing near transit hubs. Steve and John Michael discuss the government's rationale for the change. The Rural Ontario Municipal Association held its annual conference this past week. Steve and JMM discuss the concerns coming out of Ontario's rural communities. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-is-the-ontario-liberal-leadership-race-poised-for-an-upset JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-the-big-challenge-for-doug-ford-with-chinese-evs-ontarians-might-like-themSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The OPP is launching a criminal investigation into a company that received money from both the ministry of colleges and universities and the Ontario Skills Development Fund. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss this latest development in the saga - and the headache it's becoming for the premier. Ontario's big city mayors have called on the province to declare a state of emergency around homelessness and drug use. Steve and John Michael discuss what might change. The Finch West LRT opened last week and already people are complaining about it. Steve and JMM talk about what Metrolinx, the TTC, and the City of Toronto can do to speed things up. And Nam Kiwanuka, host and producer of (MIS)Treated, and Molly Thomas, host of Big [If True], join Steve and JMM for an #onpoli podcast quiz to round out the year. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/how-this-organization-in-hamilton-helps-men-get-clean-and-turn-their-li... JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-i-love-my-e-bike-but-ontario-needs-new-rulesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ontario New Democratic Party leader Marit Stiles has called on the Integrity Commissioner to investigate Labour Minister David Piccini as the skills development fund controversy deepens. But will it amount to anything? John Michael McGrath and Jessica Smith Cross discuss the importance of the information that will come out as a result. Bill 60, the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act passed its third reading at the legislature, and some are sounding the alarm around water safety in the province. John Michael and Jessica discuss what effect the legislation will have on water infrastructure in Peel Region. If Ontario Place wasn't enough, now we need to ask if the Ford government is eyeing Exhibition Place as well. JMM and Jess discuss the text of Bill 68 and how a confluence of confusing legislation and distrust in government lead to a controversy. JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-ford-threatened-to-audit-his-critics-can-he-do-that How a political disaster brewed in Brighton: https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/politics/how-a-political-disaster-brewed-in-brighton-9095416See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.