#onpoli, a TVO podcast

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 ...

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...

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...

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has sent a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney outlining what projects he believes are in Ontario's best economic interest. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss how the relationship between the two levels of government is unfolding.

Ontario's budget is being delivered on May 15th, but, unlike in the past, announcements on the province's spending aren't tightly guarded secrets. Steve and John Mich...

Ontario Premier Doug Ford launched into a tirade against Ontario's judges during a press conference about strengthening the province's bail system. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss how we got to the point where the premier says we need to elect judges.

The Financial Accountability Office of Ontario has dire news on the impact of Donald Trump's tariffs. How bad will the economic fallout be?

And the measles outbreak is o...

It was by a narrow margin that Liberal leader Mark Carney declared victory last night to become Canada's 24th prime minister. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath break down the race as it unfolded and the role Ontario's voters played.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-they-left-queens-park-for-ottawa-did-voters-follow

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-what-mark-carney-must-learn-from-kathleen-w...

Minister of Education Paul Calandra is sending investigators to several school boards in Ontario to probe their finances, and, in one case, is recommending the ministry take control. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss how this happened.

Could Donald Trump's trade threats lead to an improved interprovincial electrical transmission system? Advocates certainly hope that's the case, and it would be much needed as consumption...

Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath look back on the Federal debate where Liberal Party Leader Mark Carney, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh duked it out.

Who was the big winner? Who was the big loser? Who had the best moment? Will this change the election's outcome? What's it like watching this from the moderator's ringside ...

Members of provincial Parliament have returned to Queen's Park and there's already a flurry of activity. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath break down the first week back and what's to come.

Flamborough-Glanbrook MPP Donna Skelly was elected as the legislature's first female Speaker. It's an important role in the parliamentary system, and Steve and JMM take a deeper dive into what she'll be expected to do.

The New York Times has...

The 90-day reprieve on Donald Trump's global tariffs do not extend to Canada, so Ontario is offering tax breaks for businesses. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss why these temporary measures might need to be followed by long term solutions.

There will be a 2-year feasibility study into Doug Ford's plan for a tunnel underneath the 401. Steve and JMM discuss the project's inevitable high price tag and other ways the provi...

Donald Trump's Liberation Day has unleashed a suite of tariffs on the world, but Canada has escaped any additional ones. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath examine what effect the tariffs Canada is facing are having on the economy.

A former executive assistant to Premier Doug Ford violated the province's lobbying rules, according to Integrity Commissioner J. David Wake. The violations occurred during lobbying for clients' land t...

Prime Minister Mark Carney has called a snap election for April 28. John Michael McGrath and The Trillium's Jessica Smith Cross discuss how the Liberal Party's fortunes have changed amidst United States President Donald Trump's trade threats.

John Michael and Jess examine the "Trump bump" and how Canada's premiers are benefiting from it, including Doug Ford, who has seen his approval rating skyrocket.

A number of supervised consump...

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...

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 del...

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 Libe...

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-w...

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 Ont...

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 ...