#onpoli, a TVO podcast

Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath speak with Canadian Press reporter Liam Casey about the Indigenous communities affected by the proposed development of the Ring of Fire. Some are embracing the opportunity, others are afraid of what access might bring.
Steve and John Michael preview Ontario's municipal election season. They dig into some of the big races, and why many, in smaller municipalities, are acclaimed. Spoiler alert, it's a hard job and made more difficult by a lack of a provincial code of conduct.
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Prime Minister Mark Carney has opened the door for China to enter Canada's electric vehicle market. That has left Doug Ford steaming and calling on Canadians to boycott the vehicles. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss what the premier could do to stymie the process. But are the economic realities of the PM's decision are already hitting home?
The Province of Ontario is looking to pause an inclusionary zoning requirement that forced developers to build affordable housing near transit hubs. Steve and John Michael discuss the government's rationale for the change.
The Rural Ontario Municipal Association held its annual conference this past week. Steve and JMM discuss the concerns coming out of Ontario's rural communities.
Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-is-the-ontario-liberal-leadership-race-poised-for-an-upset
JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-the-big-challenge-for-doug-ford-with-chinese-evs-ontarians-might-like-them
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Canada's highest court will hear arguments from critics of the Province of Ontario's plan to build a spa at Ontario Place. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss the stakes of the case and why they're surprised the court is taking it on.
The Province of Ontario has a plan to connect 2 million Ontarians with a primary care provider by 2029. It's a lofty goal, but the actual number might be significantly lower. Steve and John Michael discuss why the metric might change.
Ontario's public servants are back in the office five days a week, but Members of Provincial Parliament are on break from the legislature all the way until March. Steve and JMM discuss the reaction to the return to in-office work and the optics of it all.
JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-its-2026-the-ontario-liberals-will-choose-a-new-leader-eventually-right
Omnibus Trion timestamp: (coming soon)
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The OPP is launching a criminal investigation into a company that received money from both the ministry of colleges and universities and the Ontario Skills Development Fund. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss this latest development in the saga - and the headache it's becoming for the premier.
Ontario's big city mayors have called on the province to declare a state of emergency around homelessness and drug use. Steve and John Michael discuss what might change.
The Finch West LRT opened last week and already people are complaining about it. Steve and JMM talk about what Metrolinx, the TTC, and the City of Toronto can do to speed things up.
And Nam Kiwanuka, host and producer of (MIS)Treated, and Molly Thomas, host of Big [If True], join Steve and JMM for an #onpoli podcast quiz to round out the year.
Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/how-this-organization-in-hamilton-helps-men-get-clean-and-turn-their-li...
JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-i-love-my-e-bike-but-ontario-needs-new-rules
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Shelley Spence, Ontario's auditor general, published a narrowly tailored report on health-care spending in the province. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss why OHIP overbilling, COVID personal protective equipment, and primary care connections are highlighted.
Ontario has introduced a number of proposed legislative changes aimed at justice and crime. Steve and John Michael discuss how change to the bail system might be unconstitutional, and how dogs and cats fit into story.
Education minister Paul Calandra has finally released the province's EQAO scores, and he's not happy with the results. He's creating a two-person team to investigate the test. Steve and JMM discuss how much that will cost to do and how there might be some pitfalls in store for the minister.
Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/the-many-ways-to-honour-ken-dryden
JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-does-the-new-empties-scheme-sell-out-northern-ontario
IJB story: https://ijb.utoronto.ca/news/ontario-unveils-legislation-to-restrict-invasive-medical-research-on-dogs-and-cats/
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