#onpoli, a TVO podcast

The province is pausing OSAP payments to all career college students in the wake of reporting from the Canadian Press that some schools may be misusing funds. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath take a deep dive into how private career colleges are driving up spending - and how that affects the broader post-secondary education system.

Municipal Election Watch continues, with Steve and John Michael discussing how things got heated during a debate in Mississauga, why Doug Ford is running for mayor in Kawartha Lakes, and how two mayoral candidates in Milton are vowing a clean race.

In 2023, Ontario's Integrity Commissioner found that PC MPP Steve Clark had breached the Members' Integrity Act - and the commissioner recommended Clark be reprimanded for his conduct. Steve and JMM discuss why that never happened and why Ontario Liberal MPP Dr. Adil Shamji is talking about it.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/beaches-east-york-hosts-one-of-the-most-intriguing-campaigns-in-the-province-again

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-what-are-torontos-conservatives-doing

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Stelco is laying off workers in Hamilton and every level of government is livid. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath examine the impact tariffs have had on steel production in Canada, and what an American CEO has to do with this move.

Municipal Election Watch returns with Steve and John Michael taking a look at the races in Windsor and Halton Hills.

Former Ontario MPP Gary Malkowski and filmmaker Alvin Witcher join the podcast to discuss a new documentary, "Gary Malkowski: A Deaf Legacy in Ontario." Steve and the guests discuss Malkowski's journey from Deaf community advocate to elected official.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/queens-park-needs-a-facelift-ontario-should-give-pei-a-call

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-should-the-province-rip-up-torontos-zoning-rules

Transcript file coming soon.

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Contract talks between Stellantis and UNIFOR have taken a turn for the worse, and the automaker has said it plans to sell its idled plant to a defence contractor. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath dig into what's caused this road block, why the union is saying the current plan is unacceptable, and what pressure tactics the Canadian government could apply to the company.

In just over a month, municipal elections will be held across the province. In a new podcast segment, Steve and John Michael look at some of the hottest races -and discuss what happens if no one throws their hats in the ring.

The Financial Accountability Office of Ontario released its spending reports this week. Steve and JMM take a deep dive into the numbers and what they say about Ontario's economy.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/william-howard-hearst-had-many-big-accomplishments-so-why-was-he-a-one-article-premier

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-should-the-ttc-increase-fares-during-rush-hour-one-mayoral-candidate-thinks-so

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Trade tensions between Canada and the United States reached a whole new level this summer. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss what's changed and where we go from here.

The #onpoli podcast might have been on hiatus, but the news wasn't. Steve and John Michael look at some highlights - and lowlights - from the past few months.

September saw three provincial byelections. Steve and JMM look at what the results say about the Ontario Liberals.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/meet-the-group-that-wants-you-to-read-your-way-across-canada

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-could-the-prime-ministers-pivot-to-europe-break-team-canada

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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-america

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Has this been a shorter-than-usual legislative session at Queen's Park? Does it even matter? Hosts Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath find out, discuss whether they're convinced by the reasons of the earlier recess and what impact this shorter session could have.

Then, Steve and JMM look at how MPP Will Bouma has been ousted as the Progressive Conservatives' caucus chair; Bouma was relieved after challenging Premier Doug Ford over MPP pensions and the fallout from Ford's private jet scandal. Steve and JMM take the opportunity to look at whether this is good caucus management.

Also, this being Indigenous History Month, the show features a bit of MPP Sol Mamakwa's latest speech in the Ontario Legislature, which brought Oji-Cree to Queen's Park and had a notable call to action for Indigenous youth.

And finally, in "Your Column, My Column," JMM highlights where democratic reform might be necessary outside of electoral reform, and Steve looks at ways to rejuvenate 24 Sussex Drive.

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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.

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Newly released TTC documents suggest that Metrolinx is not immune to long delays and cost overruns in building new Toronto transit. The province had taken over planning, saying the city was taking too long to build essential infrastructure. So, why the delays? And what happens now? Hosts Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath break down the findings and explain how confidential documents will still find the light of day, despite recent changes to freedom of information legislation. Then JMM breaks down how the city of Stratford has launched a Charter challenge to the provincial government's so-called strong mayor powers. Does Stratford have a case? And, with Honda announcing that it's bailing on a $15-billion investment for Alliston, the local MP Adam Chambers joins the show to discuss the advisability of continuing public support for the auto sector. In Your Column, My Column, the hosts discuss whether the latest national electricity white paper has any bearing on a provincial file and what, if anything, we can expect to hear about the fallout from the Liberal nomination race in Scarborough Southwest.

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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.

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Doug Ford accuses the NDP leader of Trump-style rhetoric. With the opposition heating up its criticism against the Ford government, hosts Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath wonder whether Doug Ford is getting a taste of his own medicine. Then, Steve and JMM look at how the Progressive Conservatives voted down a bill that looked to establish guardrails around publishing misinformation and using artificial intelligence in election communications. And finally, the Canadian Civil Liberties Union says the government's latest move to give special constables the power to arrest drug users on Toronto transit is "a deliberate choice to respond to a public health crisis with coercion instead of care." Is that right?

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