#onpoli, a TVO podcast

It's unusual to have both the Prime Minister of Canada and Premier of Ontario swear in their cabinets at the same time, so Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath compare and contrast the different approaches.

A legal challenge from cyclists in Toronto has failed and now Doug Ford will likely go ahead with the removal of bike lanes in the city. Here's what could happen next and some insight into the consequences of this fight for one Tory MPP.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-did-the-opposition-parties-help-ford-win-another-majority

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-the-consumer-carbon-tax-is-dead-its-effects-will-live-on

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Doug Ford imposed an electricity surcharge on Monday, Donald Trump responded with doubling the tariffs on steel and aluminum, and then they called the whole thing off. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath examine a chaotic week in Canada and United States trade relations.

Doug Ford's team at Queen's Park is going to look a lot like the old team with few MPPs losing their seats during the last election. The government will also deliver a full budget, and Steve and John Michael speculate what might be in that.

The Supreme Court of Canada struck down Doug Ford's third party election spending law, which is a win for unions and civil society groups. Will the government use the notwithstanding clause to get it passed? Or will they drop this altogether?

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-what-is-chrystia-freelands-next-job

Steve's other column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-can-mark-carney-avoid-repeating-history

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-should-doug-ford-do-with-voting-reform-what-he-did-with-beer-and-wine

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Sweeping tariffs have hit Canada, Mexico, and China sending markets into disarray. Canada has responded with retaliatory tariffs and Doug Ford has vowed a strong response from Ontario. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss what's next in Donald Trump's war against the world.

Are members of provincial Parliament due for a raise? Doug Ford thinks so and not long after his third majority win.

What's the future for Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie? As she goes into a leadership review, Steve and John Michael wonder what lies ahead as she remains seatless.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-whats-next-for-bonnie-crombie

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-what-if-doug-fords-energy-threats-backfire

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Doug Ford has won himself a third majority at the end of Ontario's 44th general election. Meanwhile, Marit Stiles and the NDP retain their status as official opposition while Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie lost her chance for a seat in Mississauga. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath catch up on the aftermath of the election and what comes next.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-how-doug-ford-wrote-his-way-into-the-history-books

JMM's column: (coming soon)

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The Ontario Progressive Conservative party has released its platform just days before the election. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath dig into the details of what's being promised and why the accounting might not all be there.

In the dying days of the Ontario 2025 election, the party leaders are still on the road. Steve and John Michael look into where they are and how the races are going in their home ridings.

And the 2025 Ontario Election Candidates Debate on Disability Issues took place last week. The guys look into the concerns of Ontarians with disabilities and what the parties are saying they will do to help.

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Journalists Sabrina Nanji and Émilie Gougeon-Pelletier join Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath to discuss party efforts in the final stretch of the Ontario 2025 election.

Despite the Conservative lead in the polls, there are some tight races. The group discusses some ridings where the contest is heating up. We also discuss the French-language debate that took place this week and what came from that.

And the group tackles some controversial comments made by candidates throughout the election and if it will have any effect.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-can-lightning-strike-twice-for-the-greens-in-kitchener-centre

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-what-the-ndp-and-liberal-platforms-say-and-why-it-matters

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Family Day marked the final leaders' debate during the 2025 Ontario Election. Bonnie Crombie, Marit Stiles, and Mike Schreiner were on the offensive while Doug Ford made an apology over the Greenbelt. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath dissect the event and how each leader fared. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/for-family-day-a-father-son-political-profile JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-will-someone-please-talk-about-housing

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Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, was in Washington this past week alongside Canada's other premiers trying to make headway on the tariff threat. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss how this trip defies norms and why the opposition leaders say it probably didn't help. Ontario's post-secondary sector is facing a huge financial crisis and parties are laying out their plans on how to fix it; however, the Ontario Liberal plan is getting bashed by advocates. The Ontario Green Party has released its platform entitled "Our Plan For Fairness." Steve and John Michael dig into the details and see what policy ideas other parties might steal. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-can-this-liberal-candidate-jump-from-journalism-to-queens-park JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-theres-no-negotiating-with-donald-trump-on-tariffs

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Super Bowl Sunday had a little injection of Ontario politics with the Ontario Liberal Party and the Ontario Progressive Conservatives buying ad space during the big game. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss the strategy and if it will move the needle.

United States President Donald Trump has hit Canada with tariffs on steel and aluminum. How does that impact Ontario's economy? Steve and John Michael discuss the implication for our province and its auto industry.

What have the parties promised in order to tackle the various healthcare crises we're facing in Ontario? And are these promises doable?

Elections Ontario website: https://www.elections.on.ca/

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Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath are joined by Jessica Smith Cross, editor in chief of the Trillium and Charlie Pinkerton, reporter at the Trillium, to discuss the latest update in the Greenbelt scandal.

Premier Doug Ford has received plenty of endorsements this election campaign, and mayors are now entering the game. The team discuss the new trend and why local politicians are weighing in.

Ontario Progressive Conservative candidates have been told not to participate in local debates and to instead focus on door knocking. What effect does this have on our democracy?

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/politics-doesnt-have-to-be-so-impolite-just-ask-my-lunch-dates

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-cancelling-starlink-is-easy-trump-proofing-ontarios-electricity-will-be-hard

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