The Ontario PC Party has won the riding of Bay of Quinte, replacing former education minister Todd Smith. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath dig into how this may affect a possible spring election.

The Government of Ontario has released its public accounts, which show that revenues are up and the deficit is down, but the debt just got bigger.

And the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario will launch an investigation into the early expansion of alcohol sales. The report, set to be released in early 2025, could be a bombshell for an early election.

Steve's column: (coming soon)

John Michael's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/do-the-costs-of-wind-power-outweigh-its-benefits-for-ontario

Caretaker Convention explainer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gkOtfh0-hQ

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The Government of Ontario is spending millions on upgrading the water infrastructure in Prince Edward County — ahead of a by-election next week. Coincidence? Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss.

Doug Ford believes Jagmeet Singh won't trigger an early election at the federal level due to his pension. The NDP leader fires back telling the Premier to stop focusing on alcohol in corner stores.

Food bank usage has spiked in Ontario with over a million people visiting one in the last year. It's a grim milestone and one group is calling for change.

Steve's column:

John Michael's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/opinion-is-there-really-such-a-thing-as-good-economic-news-during-a-housing-crisis

The Thread's episode on food insecurity: https://youtu.be/uTGKHJnBF3M?si=0Eq_pZd4UCYc_6eC

TVO Today Live in Mississauga: https://www.tvo.org/tvo-today-live#upcomingevents

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A new ban on smartphones in Ontario's secondary schools has come into effect. How will students react to the new policy? Or will the province reverse course like the Toronto District School Board?

Alcohol sales have expanded in Ontario to convenience stores and gas stations while supervised consumption sites have been shuttered. Steve and John Michael discuss the two decisions and their cognitive dissonance.

They also discuss the by-election for the Bay of Quinte following the resignation of MPP Todd Smith. Smith is the latest Tory MPP to leave the party for the private sector, so how will this by-election affect a potential election in spring?

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/checking-in-with-ottawas-former-mayor

John Michael's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/on-energy-the-government-has-some-difficult-choices-to-make

You can also see the podcast on the TVO Today YouTube channel and every Friday night at 8 and 11 pm ET as the first half of The Agenda.

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Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath return to the #onpoli podcast for a midsummer check-in from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/heres-how-to-beat-doug-ford-in-the-next-election

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/ottawa-is-in-rough-shape-what-will-the-province-do-about-it

Councillor Nagy question at the AMO – The Women of Ontario Say No/instagram.com

Mayor Meed Ward question at the AMO – marianne.meedward/instagram.com

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Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath round off another season of the #onpoli podcast with a mailbag episode. They answer audience questions including one about the Ontario Science Centre closure, talk about the Toronto St. Paul's by-election, and announce the winners of the book giveaway.

You can also see the podcast on the TVO Today YouTube channel and every Friday night at 8 and 11 pm ET as the first half of The Agenda.

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LCBO workers are in legal strike position, and they've set a deadline of July 5 to get a deal made. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss how this mixes with recent policy decisions surrounding beer, wine, and mixed drinks in corner stores.

A legal challenge surrounding the redevelopment of Ontario Place has been dismissed by the Superior Court of Justice. Do advocates have any other ways to slow down the provincial government's desire for a waterfront spa or has this paved the way for builders?

Talk of an early election has made Ontario's political parties spring into action with the Ontario Liberals calling for fast local contests and NDP rallying support. Steve and John Michael discuss what's been happening.

Ontario Heritage Trust Plaque Guide: https://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/online-plaque-guide

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/this-upcoming-toronto-byelection-could-be-momentous

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/is-canada-actually-facing-a-productivity-emergency

You can also see the podcast on the TVO Today YouTube channel and every Friday night at 8 and 11 pm ET as the first half of The Agenda.

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Fresh polling shows the Progressive Conservatives would emerge victorious if an election was called early. Carolyn Parrish will be the next mayor of Ontario's third largest city. Premier Doug Ford signs another memorandum of understanding with a U-S state, this time it's Illinois. Are these deals really ,a thing,, or just fancy photo ops?

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On Thursday, Premier Doug Ford announced a new cabinet with some major changes. We'll give you the backstory on who is in, who is out, and why now? Mississauga will vote for a new mayor next week. With no one named McCallion or Crombie on the ticket, the race seems to be wide open. Ontario is looking to grow the number of private health clinics offering publicly funded MRI and CT scans. Minister of Health Sylvia Jones announced a call to expand the number of clinics currently offering the services. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath dig into the pros and cons of the plan. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/one-last-hurrah-for-ontarios-18th-premier JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/ontario-will-never-live-down-the-shame-of-grassy-narrows

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Reaction continues to pour in after Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced the government would pay $225 million to end an agreement with the The Beer Store one year early. One of the questions being asked repeatedly - why pay millions to end an agreement that was due to expire next year anyways? Does it have anything to do with theories the Premier will call an early election? Steve and JMM discuss the possibility. The Ontario government is insisting it complies with public disclosure laws. That's after reporting from Global News revealed government staff are using their Gmail accounts in order to avoid disclosure under the freedom of information act. But will there be any consequences beyond the political arena? Plus, a historic moment in the legislature as NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa asks a question in Oji-Cree. It's the first time a question is officially asked in the Ontario legislature in a language other than English or French.

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Back in 2021, the Ontario government used the notwithstanding clause to push through changes to campaign finance laws. Critics say these changes violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This week, the Supreme Court heard the case and its decision could have a major impact on the next provincial election.

Back during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, provincial courts began offering a deal to certain cases where a person was charged with driving under the influence. The person could plead guilty and rather than face federal charges, they would be charged under the Highway Traffic Act, which offers less severe penalties. This deal was offered to clear a backlog of cases. Steve and JMM discuss how this squares with a provincial government that has made itself known for being tough on crime.

And, another story where politics run into reality as the federal government squashes an attempt by the city of Toronto to decriminalize drugs for personal use. All thanks to a letter from Doug Ford.

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