#onpoli, a TVO podcast

By TVO

What's #onpoli, a TVO podcast about?

#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.

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#onpoli, a TVO podcast episodes:

04.19.2024
Takeaways from the federal budget 2024
The federal government has tabled its budget, which includes money for municipalities on housing and a tax on the rich. Details have been released piecemeal over the last several weeks, but now Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath will finally...
04.12.2024
Breaking down the latest housing policy blitz
Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs Paul Calandra unveiled The Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, a new piece of housing legislation designed to get more housing built. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath break down the omnibus...
04.05.2024
Why Doug Ford won't budge on housing
The Canadian government has announced a new infrastructure fund that would provide billions to provinces and territories to build up wastewater treatment capacity and housing. The money comes with strings that include a pledge to build ,missing middle, housing, which...
03.28.2024
Everything you need to know about Ontario's budget
Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy has unveiled Ontario's budget and it's a big one. The province is spending an unprecedented amount on building infrastructure projects but is expected to see large deficits over the next two years. Steve Paikin and...
03.22.2024
Bonnie Crombie distances herself from a carbon tax
Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie has said that if she becomes premier, she will not impose carbon tax on residents. This, among many other announcements, has made this a big week for her. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss...
03.15.2024
Doug Ford's double standard on housing targets
Premier Doug Ford has been seen in recent weeks handing out large cheques to cities who have hit their housing targets through the Building Faster Fund. Most recently, he praised Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, whose record is worse than former...
03.08.2024
The NDP hammers Ford on Highway 407 tolls
The official opposition is calling on the Ontario government to remove tolls for truckers on Highway 407. Their argument is moving truck traffic to the toll road would save truckers time and taxpayers money while removing the need to build...
03.01.2024
A billion-dollar deal for post-secondary schools
Ontario's provincial government is infusing $1.3 billion into the post-secondary education system, but is it too little and too late? Faced with funding pressures from the COVID-19 pandemic and new regulations around international students, Ontario's higher learning institutions were looking...
02.23.2024
Queen's Park is back, here's what you need to know
MPPs have returned to Queen's Park after their winter hiatus to a jam-packed schedule with the Ontario PC Government introducing the "Get It Done Act." Steve and John Michael dig into what's in that bill. We're also responding to your questions...
02.16.2024
What's behind the Ontario Energy Board snub?
Late last year, Energy Minister Todd Smith said he'd introduce legislation to reverse a decision made by the Ontario Energy Board. The decision would have put the cost of hooking up new homes to the gas grid onto developers, which,...
02.06.2024
Supreme Court upholds mandate letter secrecy
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...
01.30.2024
New revelations in the Greenbelt scandal
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...
01.23.2024
Private clinics, public problems?
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...
01.16.2024
New year, same priorities for Doug Ford
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...
12.19.2023
Rounding out 2023: Peel Region, beer sales, and a mail call
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...
12.12.2023
Doug Ford's attacks against Bonnie Crombie lack facts
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...
12.05.2023
Bonnie Crombie is in as the new Ontario Liberal leader
From mayor of Mississauga to new Ontario Liberal leader, Bonnie Crombie has seen a political rise over the last few years. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath dig into what's next for her and the challenges ahead. Ontario's Green Party has...
11.28.2023
Toronto's big new deal paves the way for mega spa
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...
11.21.2023
Ontario Liberals head to the polls
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...
08.15.2023
Revelations from Bonnie Lysyk's Greenbelt report
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...
08.01.2023
A mid-summer check in
Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath get caught up on all things Ontario during the month of July including the two Ontario Liberal byelection victories, a debate about age in Ontario politics, and how an ill-advised new title for Ontario...
06.27.2023
Olivia Chow is Toronto's new mayor and here's what that means
Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss the results of the Toronto mayoral by-election, and how the city's politics will shake out over the next few years under Olivia Chow's leadership. It's letter time! It's letter time! We take a read...
06.20.2023
How will strong mayors change Ontario municipalities?
Strong mayor powers are coming to 26 Ontario municipalities giving mayors a greater ability to win votes and appoint officials. Toronto deputy mayor Jennifer McKelvie has given her endorsement to Anna Bailao. We check the race to see if that has...
06.13.2023
Where there's smoke ...
Last week, parts of Ontario and the U.S. spent a number of days under a special air quality advisory from the smoke and dust lingering in the air from wildfires in Quebec. In all, Canada is experiencing more than 440...
06.06.2023
Yasir Naqvi is in for the OLP leadership
Yasir Naqvi, MP for Ottawa Centre, has thrown his hat into the ring for the Ontario Liberal Party leadership. He's among a few heavy hitters now who are vying for the top job, along with Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith and...
05.30.2023
Bonnie Crombie enters the fray
Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie is poised to enter the Ontario Liberal Party leadership race, and her political opponents were quick to jump on the decision. Is she destined to become the next leader of Ontario's Liberal Party? A multi-billion-dollar deal with...
05.23.2023
Peel Region is splitting up, what happens now?
Brampton, Caledon, and Mississauga will one day be separate cities, ending a decade's long fight between the municipalities. But what does this mean to the people of Peel Region? Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss the future of the...
05.16.2023
Is Peel Region Breaking Apart?
Could Mississauga and Brampton officially be splitting up? At a press conference Monday, Premier Doug Ford all but announced that Mississauga will have the ability to separate from Peel Region. This news comes after Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown launched a...
05.09.2023
Examining the Landlord and Tenant Board's state of disarray
When landlords and tenants can't get along, the Landlord and Tenant Board steps in to provide speedy justice; however, that hasn't been the case since Doug Ford took over as premier. The board is in a state of disarray and...
05.02.2023
Rumble at the Ontario Science Centre
Doug Ford's desire to move Ontario Science Centre to Toronto's waterfront is facing some vocal opposition. But is there anything critics can do to stymie the government's plan? Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss the province's decision to pay tuition...
04.25.2023
How your taxpayer dollars are funding VW's gigafactory
There's a $13 billion dollar plan in motion to bring a Volkswagen gigafactory to St. Thomas, Ont. It promises to create thousands of jobs. But should we be subsidizing global auto manufacturers? The "Better Schools and Students Outcomes Act" is having...
04.18.2023
Has Mississauga found its Mexit?
Will Mississauga exit Peel Region? Or will Mississauga join Brampton in a new super-city of Peel? And what about Kitchener-Waterloo? Questions, questions, and more questions about regional government in Ontario - still controversial 50 years later. Is the Ontario Science...
04.11.2023
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...
04.04.2023
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....
03.28.2023
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,...
03.21.2023
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...
03.14.2023
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...
03.07.2023
Ontario's Liberals flip the script on voting rules
The Ontario Liberal leadership race will have a new system for balloting that will give more power to members to decide who will take the reins of the party. Will a leader rise to capture the hearts of Ontario Liberals?...
02.28.2023
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...
02.21.2023
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...
02.14.2023
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...
02.07.2023
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....
01.31.2023
Could the federal government step in on the Greenbelt?
Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said that the government will be looking at potential tools to stop development of the Greenbelt. Doug Ford tells them to back off. Toronto's budget process is ongoing, and we'll see how new provincial legislation...
01.24.2023
Investigative woes for Doug Ford over the Greenbelt
The auditor general of Ontario and Ontario's integrity commissioner have both opened inquiries into recent changes to the Greenbelt. What does this mean for the provincial government? Doug Ford led the charge in calling for the federal government to makes...
01.17.2023
Doug Ford expanding the role of private clinics
For-profit, privately-run clinics in Ontario will see expanded power to perform surgeries covered by OHIP. But will privatizing medical procedures lead to shortages of doctors, nurses, and staff in already under-staffed hospitals? Then, Ontario's auditor general will decide this week...
12.13.2022
Lieutenant governor talks threats to democracy
Did Premier Doug Ford field a more-critical-than-usual signoff from the King's representative? Polls also suggest criticism from the electorate as well. Then, TVO's affordability reporter Kat Eschner is back with the story of gentrification of a street in Sudbury. And...
12.06.2022
How the Ford government spent tax dollars
Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk publishes her final report and itemized list of how tax dollars were spent - her main question being whether expenditures have had "value for money." An NDP leadership acclamation appears to be on the horizon. Premier...
11.29.2022
Trudeau on Ontario's role managing the convoy
The prime minister says that the Ontario government wanted the federal government to wear the province's failure at Ottawa's convoy protest against public health mandates. Bob Rae returns to Queen's Park to receive a lifetime achievement award. And TVO's affordability...
11.22.2022
When democracy might not mean majority rule
Ontario avoids another education strike as the province and CUPE come to a tentative agreement. A new bill looks to empower certain municipal leaders to the point where ,majority rule, does not always apply to their proposed bylaws. And the...
11.15.2022
Flip-flops on Bill 28, mask mandates & the Greenbelt
The Ontario government releases its Fall Economic Statement - a mini-budget of sorts - so a quick assessment on whether the government is putting money where its mouth seems warranted. Then, the government flip-flops on back-to-work legislation and almost flip-flops...

What's #onpoli, a TVO podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

#onpoli, a TVO podcast episodes:

Takeaways from the federal budget 2024

Breaking down the latest housing policy blitz

Why Doug Ford won't budge on housing

Everything you need to know about Ontario's budget

Bonnie Crombie distances herself from a carbon tax

Doug Ford's double standard on housing targets

The NDP hammers Ford on Highway 407 tolls

A billion-dollar deal for post-secondary schools

Queen's Park is back, here's what you need to know

What's behind the Ontario Energy Board snub?

Supreme Court upholds mandate letter secrecy

New revelations in the Greenbelt scandal

Private clinics, public problems?

New year, same priorities for Doug Ford

Rounding out 2023: Peel Region, beer sales, and a mail call

Doug Ford's attacks against Bonnie Crombie lack facts

Bonnie Crombie is in as the new Ontario Liberal leader

Toronto's big new deal paves the way for mega spa

Ontario Liberals head to the polls

Revelations from Bonnie Lysyk's Greenbelt report

A mid-summer check in

Olivia Chow is Toronto's new mayor and here's what that means

How will strong mayors change Ontario municipalities?

Where there's smoke ...

Yasir Naqvi is in for the OLP leadership

Bonnie Crombie enters the fray

Peel Region is splitting up, what happens now?

Is Peel Region Breaking Apart?

Examining the Landlord and Tenant Board's state of disarray

Rumble at the Ontario Science Centre

How your taxpayer dollars are funding VW's gigafactory

Has Mississauga found its Mexit?

Ontario's sprawling changes to housing policy

Should Canada pay to keep Toronto's property taxes low?

Ontario's budget braces for a recession

Who gets a say in Ontario's budget process?

So, what's the health care plan?

Ontario's Liberals flip the script on voting rules

The Ontario government grilled over trucker protests

Doug Ford on the defensive over donations to daughter

John Tory resigns. Now what?

Could Mike Schreiner lead Ontario's Liberals?

Could the federal government step in on the Greenbelt?

Investigative woes for Doug Ford over the Greenbelt

Doug Ford expanding the role of private clinics

Lieutenant governor talks threats to democracy

How the Ford government spent tax dollars

Trudeau on Ontario's role managing the convoy

When democracy might not mean majority rule

Flip-flops on Bill 28, mask mandates & the Greenbelt