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 seat? They also talk about what happened after the debate as leaders shook hands and spoke to one another. And what happened with the post-debate scrum that was cancelled. More on that here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/rebel-news-rightwing-media-press-conferences-debates-1.7512714 Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/everything-you-didnt-see-at-the-leaders-debate JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-ontario-will-spend-more-this-year-than-last-what-will-we-get-for-itSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
--------
41:18
Queen's Park is back, a female Speaker, and Therme investigation
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 published an investigation into Therme Group alleging the company misled the Province of Ontario during its submission process to build a spa on Toronto's waterfront. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/why-moderating-a-leaders-debate-is-like-refereeing-a-hockey-game JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-ontarios-free-trade-announcement-sounds-important-is-it New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/world/canada/therme-spa-ontario-canada.htmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
--------
36:27
Ontario braces for Donald Trump's tariffs
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 province could ease congestion. The province is expanding strong mayor powers to 169 more municipalities in Ontario. These powers had already been given to mayors in larger cities to cut through red tape and get housing built, but is that happening? Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/three-former-political-adversaries-on-how-to-handle-trump JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-do-american-unions-really-believe-trumps-anti-globalist-visionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
--------
41:28
Trump's Liberation Day, the Greenbelt, and dropped candidates
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 to be removed from the Greenbelt. Nico Fidani-Diker also offered Toronto Maple Leafs tickets to "public office holders" putting them into conflict of interest. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath examine the latest chapter in the Greenbelt scandal and the implications for the RCMP investigation into it. With every election comes inevitable "bozo eruptions," which is when a politicians is caught saying something unsavoury, which sometimes gets them kicked out of elected politics. Steve and JMM examine a few stories including former Liberal candidate Paul Chiang, and how Mark Carney fumbled his response. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/ive-covered-many-elections-i-wish-i-could-discuss-this-one-with-some-absent-friends JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-canadians-are-talking-about-big-projects-lets-try-small-ones-first Tariffs in Canada, explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzCThKVMlkg&tSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
--------
41:14
Has Donald Trump flipped the script on the Canadian election?
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 consumption sites are set to close in Ontario at the start of April. Contradictory statements from lawyer representing the province and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones on whether these sites can relocate are confusing advocates for the sites.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#onpoli, a TVO podcast, is all about Ontario politics. Join hosts Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath for candid interviews and a deeper understanding of how politics touches our day-to-day lives. When it comes to #onpoli, we're here to give you the bigger picture.
Canada - english