#onpoli, a TVO podcast

The municipal elections for 2026 have come and gone; Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath sort through the highs and lows of an historic evening. They also examine why some municipalities kept to the status quo while others removed their incumbents with extreme prejudice.
 
MPPs have returned to Queen's Park and the government has released its Fall Economic Statement. Steve and John Michael take a look at the legislative calendar and the state of the province's books.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-how-did-alvin-tedjo-pull-this-off

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-it-was-a-rough-night-for-incumbents-is-donald-trump-to-blame

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Doug Ford announced a $9 billion rescue package for two key tariff-battered sectors of Ontario's economy. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath look into where the money is going and what the long game is for these beleaguered industries.

In the final installment of Municipal Election Watch, Steve and John Michael look at how close the mayoral race in Toronto has become, what's happening in Mississauga, and a strange situation in Ottawa where one candidate is in jail.

Ontario is lowering its hydro rebate for electricity users in the province. Steve and JMM look at what that means for your pocketbook, while Steve makes the case (again) that not all Ontarians should receive the rebate.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/why-two-former-political-rivals-came-together-to-fight-for-the-power-of-cities

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-waymo-is-coming-to-toronto-can-the-city-learn-from-past-mistakes

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ontario premier Doug Ford says the province has to plan for Donald Trump's tariffs to stay - whether or not the Republican party retains control after the midterms. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath take a look into Ontario's economic future and what the NDP is saying about the recent layoffs at Stelco.

Municipal Election Watch returns with a look at Haldimand county and a recap of the Toronto mayor's debate hosted by TVO. Steve and John Michael McGrath dig into how Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford performed at the event.

Within biking distance of TVO's studio are the graves of seven former premiers of Ontario. Steve and JMM provide historical context about each premier as they take listeners on a gravesite tour through Mount Pleasant and St. James cemeteries.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/in-torontos-finance-district-a-piece-of-history-disappears

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-people-are-angry-about-stelco-what-can-canadian-governments-do-about-it

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.