#onpoli, a TVO podcast

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-outSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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-failedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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-oneSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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-crisisSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.