The election campaign is on for the Province of Ontario. Voters will head to the polls on February 27. Doug Ford, Marit Stiles, Bonnie Crombie, and Mike Schreiner will now vie for leadership as Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath expand their coverage during the writ period.

The Financial Accountability Office probed Doug Ford's plan to expand alcohol access early, and taxpayers could be picking up a $1.4 billion tab.

Ontario New Democratic Party leader Marit Stiles says, if elected, she will eliminate tolls on Highway 407 for everyone, but is that a good plan? Steve and John Michael dive into the costs.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/saying-goodbye-to-the-loveliest-person-ive-ever-met-in-ontario-politics

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-this-provincial-election-isnt-just-about-trump-its-also-about-ottawa

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As early as next week, Premier Doug Ford could call an election in Ontario. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath go over what comes next.

The Rural Ontario Municipal Association have just wrapped up their annual meeting. Steve and John Michael discuss how Premier Doug Ford dropped an election bombshell on the event and how the opposition reacted.

Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States and is now threatening punishing tariffs as soon as Feb. 1. What happens next and will Canada be able to escape this economic threat?

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-justin-trudeau-joe-biden-and-a-growing-club-leaders-who-dont-know-when-to-leave

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-why-amo-is-getting-into-election-advertising

Nerds on Politics "Another election?": https://youtu.be/BbEKb_jCBwU?si=EvZDFRxIYsMkgaui

Nerds on Politics "Why you never drop a writ": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdyQJtAzbjI

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Premier Doug Ford says he needs a fresh mandate to combat Donald Trump's tariffs, but opposition MPPs believe he has all the tools he needs already. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss why the premier may be pushing for an early election.

The province moved some ServiceOntario locations to Staples Canada, which they said would save taxpayers money. The Financial Accountability Office of Ontario says otherwise.

What will you do with the $200 cheque coming your way from the provincial government? One website is pitching Ontarians on donating the money to charitable organizations.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/opinion-how-doug-ford-became-an-unlikely-figure-of-national-unity

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-why-ontario-is-betting-big-on-nuclear-power

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Earlier this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he would resign. The move has many speculating whether Ontario Premier Doug Ford will still call an early election. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss what happens next and why Donald Trump is calling for the United States to annex Canada.

There's little financial security in becoming a Member of Provincial Parliament as former Scarborough Southwest MPP Lorenzo Berardinetti has experienced. Steve and John Michael discuss his story and the trouble with the housing crisis in Ontario.

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act set January 1 2025 as a deadline for making the province accessible. Disability advocates say the there's still a long way to go. Steve and John Michael discuss what more needs to be done.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/opinion-doug-fords-most-difficult-decision-yet-just-got-a-whole-lot-more-complicated

MM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/opinion-get-ready-for-ontario-to-become-an-election-battleground

Nerds on Politics: How do parties pick their leaders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZmQDmiaAm0

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Where does freedom of religion end, and freedom from discrimination begin? In 2019, a Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) trustee's provocative and polarizing remarks ignited a firestorm. Michael Del Grande argued that if protections for queer and trans individuals were added to the TCDSB code of conduct, then protections should also be added for those who commit pedophilia and cannibalism. His comments sparked outrage, legal battles, and a fierce debate that continues to shape discussions on sex, gender, and inclusion in Ontario's Catholic schools. Teachers, students, parents, and politicians remain deeply divided. Who holds the power to define the future of queer and trans inclusion in education? How does the acceptance of sexual and gender diversity impact religious rights? In a new series from TVO Podcasts, co-hosts Matt Nethersole and Tiff Lam delve into the ways that human rights, sexuality, gender, religion, and politics are colliding in Ontario's Catholic schools-and beyond. In this episode, they speak to a 2SLGBTQ+ advocate fighting for change in Catholic schools, a former Ontario premier who thinks school boards can do more to comply with Ministry expectations and a historian explains the connection between Catholic schools and the birth of Canada. To listen to the full series, visit http://tvo.org/podcasts/queries

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Doug Ford is threatening to turn off the province's energy exports to the United States, as a measure to combat proposed tariffs from president-elect Donald Trump. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss what seems like an inevitable tit-for-tat tariff war.

The Ford government has put forward its proposed legislation on how to end homeless encampments across the province.

And Steve and JMM take a look at some end of session bills and why they might be telling on the timing of a spring election.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/david-frum-on-canadian-history-and-the-battlefield-of-ideas

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-new-legislation-shows-that-ontario-is-still-digesting-the-lessons-of-the-pandemic

Ontario Road Map: https://www.publications.gov.on.ca/109168_U

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Every year, the Auditor General of Ontario releases an annual report detailing how money was spent in the Province of Ontario. This year's report has called some of the province's dealings "not fair, transparent, or accountable." Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath break down the findings.

Phil Verster, the embattled CEO of Metrolinx, has resigned. With the Eglinton LRT still unopened, we look back on his tenure in the role and what still needs to get done.

Ontario is spending millions on primetime ads on Fox News in hopes of avoiding tariffs. Will this gambit work or are we in for some inevitable pain?

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/my-final-conversation-with-one-of-the-really-good-guys-of-politics-0

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/can-ontario-get-nuclear-power-plants-built-in-new-places-were-about-to-find-out

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Donald Trump's trade threats have caused mass economic panic. Doug Ford and Justin Trudeau have threatened retaliatory tactics. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss what happens next and if this is just the president-elect's bluster.

Ontario's post-secondary sector is facing a financial crisis with Sheridan College unveiling cuts to programming and staff lay offs. So, why is the provincial government ignoring the blue-ribbon panel that offered concrete solutions?

The Ontario New Democratic Party and Marit Stiles have called on the integrity commissioner to investigate the province's fundraising targets. The Ontario Liberals and Bonnie Crombie have unveiled documents showing the desperate state of the family doctor crisis.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/admiration-for-trump-wont-win-ontario-politicians-any-brownie-points

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/opinion-fords-plan-a-for-the-next-trump-article-has-already-failed

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The Ontario New Democratic party are pitching a new deal for municipalities that include re-uploading big costs to the province. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss the plan and react to Marit Stiles's appointment of former Toronto Mayor David Miller to a special position.

Mississauga mayor Carolyn Parrish has found herself in hot water over a cancelled vigil to former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and comparing him to Nelson Mandela. So, why was Doug Ford's reaction so tame?

Ontario has a found another potential site for long term storage for nuclear waste. Steve and JMM discuss why this facility will play a large role in the development of a clean energy future for the province.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/hockey-hall-of-famer-dick-duff-is-still-telling-stories-at-age-88

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/opinion-cities-need-a-new-deal-what-should-they-have-to-give-up-to-get-one

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Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie has made her first major election campaign promise: a tax cut for the middle class. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss how the Liberals are trying to outflank the Tories on the cost of living crisis.

We now know the cost of the province's plan to remove bike lanes from Toronto's streets: $48 million. Can the city stop the removal? 

Receiving presumptive care has gotten a little easier for wildland firefighters; however, union leaders argue the changes don't go far enough. 

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/toronto-honours-former-ontario-cabinet-minister-david-caplan

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/opinion-how-many-ways-can-ontario-fail-to-tackle-the-housing-crisis

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