#onpoli, a TVO podcast

Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath sit down with Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles to discuss the aftermath of her recent leadership review. Where does she take the party now?

Jim Bradley, the longtime MPP for St. Catharines, has died. Steve and John Michael look at his legacy as one of the most influential environment ministers in the province's history.

Algoma Steel has received financial support from the federal government and the province of Ontario, but KAP Paper has not. Steve and JMM delve into the tricky economic situation for the province's northern industries.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/this-conservative-stalwart-cheated-death-and-has-a-message-about-ontarios-health-care-system

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-ontarios-grocery-oligarchs-are-betting-ford-will-chicken-out-he-shouldnt

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Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss the fallout of shutting down speed cameras. What will municipalities do next?

Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles had a bruising leadership review. Unlike Bonnie Crombie, she's staying on the job — but the same can't be said for some of her top staffers. Steve and John Michael discuss where the party goes from here. 

Ontario has announced its latest round of funding for primary care teams, which the government hopes will connect 500,000 more people to a family doctor or nurse practitioner. Steve and JMM dig into the numbers.

Chris Scott, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie, is facing charges domestic violence charges of assault and assault with a weapon. Scott has been ejected from the PC Party caucus and now sits as an independent. Steve and JMM discuss the rules around criminal records and sitting in elected office, and the opposition's differing reaction to the news.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/their-public-spats-helped-build-toronto-can-they-get-along-in-private

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-should-ontario-change-course-on-renewable-energy

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Bonnie Crombie resigned as leader of the Ontario Liberal Party after a disappointing leadership review. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss how her vote collapsed, how she left the party in better shape, and who comes next.

Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles is set to undergo her own leadership review. The party is doing objectively worse than the Ontario Liberals, so Steve and John Michael dissect her chances - and how this event could be a soft launch for the federal party.

Doug Ford applauded the City of Vaughn for shutting down its speed camera program, a move that critics say will endanger pedestrians. Steve and JMM discuss why the premier has such a disdain for these devices, which, according to experts, have a lot of upside.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-bonnie-crombie-wont-regret-her-time-as-liberal-leader

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-why-ontarios-ndp-is-reconsidering-nuclear-power-with-an-eye-on-the-next-election

Bonnie Crombie image credit to: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Laura Proctor

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Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie is facing a leadership review during the party's annual general meeting. It's a make-or-break vote that will speak volumes about the party's confidence in its new leader. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss what happens next.

Doug Ford and the PC Party are astonishingly popular despite the premier's unpopularity. What gives? Steve and John Michael look into how Ford's reputation as Captain Canada is both helping and hurting his brand.

Finally, Steve and JMM catch you up on the events of the summer, including an Ontario Superior Court decision on bike lanes in Toronto; new developments on the proposed 401 tunnel; and Ontario public servants being recalled to the office five days a week.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/talking-with-ken-dryden

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-how-ford-can-jumpstart-housing-development-by-taking-a-page-out-of-kathleen-wynnes-playbook

Bonnie Crombie image: Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

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Ontario Premier Doug Ford unveiled design plans for Ontario Place once it reopens, including a five-storey parking structure. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath break down this development and look at the timeline of what happens next.

Sweltering temperatures in classrooms have the government of Ontario and school boards pointing fingers while students sizzle in the heat. Steve and John Michael discuss what schools are doing to keep kids cool while puzzling over the cost of retrofits.

The province's plan to build at least 1.5 million homes by 2031 could be significantly higher, according to a briefing document obtained by the CBC. Steve and JMM discuss how housing starts look even more dismal than they did before.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-toronto-is-spoiling-for-a-legal-fight-with-queens-park-does-it-have-a-case

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-david-petersons-liberals-are-remembering-the-good-times-ontarians-should-too

Credit: T-shirt image of David Peterson - King's Printer for Ontario/ola.org June 20 Frank Miller

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Project Ontario is a grassroots organization calling on the Ontario government to adopt more fiscally conservative policies. But how does their charge stand up against Premier Doug Ford's three majority governments? Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss what conservatives are saying.

A new report from the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario revealed that Doug Ford's staff members were using code words to talk about the Greenbelt deal. Steve and John Michael discuss the revelations and the connection to Ford's comments on First Nations relationships surrounding Bill 5.

The Toronto Transit Commission has been given the keys to the Eglinton Light Rail Transit line, so does that mean an opening date is in sight? Steve and JMM discuss why people still need to hold their horses as the line heads into a long period of stress testing.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-how-the-1985-election-changed-ontario-politics-forever

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-could-ontarios-recycling-changes-leave-cities-holding-the-bag

Credit: T-shirt image of Frank Miller - Anthony Miles/King's Printer for Ontario/wikipedia.org

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The legislature has broken for the summer with MPPs set to return in October. Why such a long break? Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath dig into the hiatus.

The Council of the Federation is set to meet in the Muskoka region this summer amidst threats of road and rail blockades after the passage of Bill 5.

And wildfire season is raging in the province of Ontario, so what's the government doing about it?

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/the-common-sense-revolution-turns-30-and-its-architects-are-still-celebrating

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-theres-only-one-way-out-of-the-housing-crisis-up

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Resistance to Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing its Economy Act, is heating up as it passed into law this week at Queen's Park. Will the bill lead to highway blockades and a resurgence of the Idle No More movement? Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss the growing dissent toward the government's attempt to fast-track infrastructure projects.

Members of Provincial Parliament are receiving a pay boost after nearly 15 years and access to a pension. Steve and John Michael discuss whether people will rise up in indignation at the increase or if they think it's about time.

A new report from the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario confirms that rocky economic times are ahead for the province. Steve and JMM dig into the details and some dissonance between what the province is saying will happen and historical trends that say otherwise.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-ontario-will-uncrate-a-statue-of-canadas-first-prime-minister-what-took-so-long

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-bill-33-doesnt-dissolve-ontarios-school-boards-but-its-yet-another-hit-to-their-power

Credit: T-shirt image of Mike Harris - King's Printer for Ontario/ola.org

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For third time ever, the monarch read the Government of Canada's speech from the throne. King Charles III reiterated Canada's sovereignty and ran through a laundry list of government priorities. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath break down the speech.

The Government of Ontario is amending Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, after pressure from Indigenous groups. Steve and JMM dig into the changes the bill is pushing forward and what opposition groups can do to keep it from passing.

The Ontario Greens and Ontario Liberals are co-sponsoring a bill to tackled homelessness in the province. Aislinn Clancy says building bridges within the legislature is part of what she ran on and a bill like this could help end this issue within a decade.

The #onpoli podcast recorded this episode at the Isabel Bader Theatre at Victoria University at the University of Toronto. Special thanks to everyone who came out!

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-the-51st-state-nonsense-is-over-someone-should-tell-the-president

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/is-it-time-for-a-canadian-automaker

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A 19-year-old man is facing impaired driving charges after a crash that killed three children. The incident has some wondering if the province needs to implement even tougher rules for driving under the influence. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath weigh on what's happened and what's been done.

Municipalities across Ontario are installing speed and red light cameras, but Premier Doug Ford isn't too happy hearing from drivers who are getting fined. Steve and JMM look at the new rules the province is introducing for these systems.

The province's latest housing bill was published right before the budget, so the guys dig into the details there and whether or not these changes will increase housing starts.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-can-ontarios-colleges-survive-another-60-years

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-you-cant-make-housing-more-affordable-without-making-it-cheaper

Live show details: onpoli-live.eventbrite.ca

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