#onpoli, a TVO podcast

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...

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 skyroc...

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...

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 ele...

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....

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...

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 t...

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 cam...

Family Day marked the final leaders' debate during the 2025 Ontario Election. Bonnie Crombie, Marit Stiles, and Mike Schreiner were on the offensive while Doug Ford made an apology over the Greenbelt. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath dissect the event and how each leader fared. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/for-family-day-a-father-son-political-profile JMM's column: https://www....

Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, was in Washington this past week alongside Canada's other premiers trying to make headway on the tariff threat. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss how this trip defies norms and why the opposition leaders say it probably didn't help. Ontario's post-secondary sector is facing a huge financial crisis and parties are laying out their plans on how to fix it; h...

Super Bowl Sunday had a little injection of Ontario politics with the Ontario Liberal Party and the Ontario Progressive Conservatives buying ad space during the big game. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss the strategy and if it will move the needle. United States President Donald Trump has hit Canada with tariffs on steel and aluminum. How does that impact Ontario's economy? Steve and...

Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath are joined by Jessica Smith Cross, editor in chief of the Trillium and Charlie Pinkerton, reporter at the Trillium, to discuss the latest update in the Greenbelt scandal. Premier Doug Ford has received plenty of endorsements this election campaign, and mayors are now entering the game. The team discuss the new trend and why local politicians are weighing in. O...

The Trump tariffs may be on pause, but they’ve taken over the narrative of this Ontario election campaign. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss how this looming threat is changing the race and heating up rhetoric between party leaders. The Liberals are determined to keep the focus on Doug Ford’s health care record with a bright-red campaign bus. And Steve and John Michael disc...

The election campaign is on for the Province of Ontario. Voters will head to the polls on February 27. Doug Ford, Marit Stiles, Bonnie Crombie, and Mike Schreiner will now vie for leadership as Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath expand their coverage during the writ period. The Financial Accountability Office probed Doug Ford's plan to expand alcohol access early, and taxpayers could be picking...

As early as next week, Premier Doug Ford could call an election in Ontario. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath go over what comes next. The Rural Ontario Municipal Association have just wrapped up their annual meeting. Steve and John Michael discuss how Premier Doug Ford dropped an election bombshell on the event and how the opposition reacted. Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President...

Premier Doug Ford says he needs a fresh mandate to combat Donald Trump's tariffs, but opposition MPPs believe he has all the tools he needs already. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss why the premier may be pushing for an early election. The province moved some ServiceOntario locations to Staples Canada, which they said would save taxpayers money. The Financial Accountability Office of...

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he would resign. The move has many speculating whether Ontario Premier Doug Ford will still call an early election. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss what happens next and why Donald Trump is calling for the United States to annex Canada. There's little financial security in becoming a Member of Provincial Parliament as former...

Where does freedom of religion end, and freedom from discrimination begin? In 2019, a Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) trustee's provocative and polarizing remarks ignited a firestorm. Michael Del Grande argued that if protections for queer and trans individuals were added to the TCDSB code of conduct, then protections should also be added for those who commit pedophilia and cannibal...

Doug Ford is threatening to turn off the province's energy exports to the United States, as a measure to combat proposed tariffs from president-elect Donald Trump. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss what seems like an inevitable tit-for-tat tariff war. The Ford government has put forward its proposed legislation on how to end homeless encampments across the province. And Steve and JMM t...

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 b...

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 provincia...

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...

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 presump...

Donald Trump has been elected the 47th president of the United States. What are the implications for Ontario's economy? Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss what sectors will be impacted the most. The Ontario Liberal Party has a new line of attack on the family doctor shortage in the province. Ontario integrity commissioner is retiring early, so what happens to the office's investigations...

The fall economic statement shows the province is raking in more money than previously thought, but is it enough to justify a $200 cheque to every Ontarian? Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss. Are you getting a COVID shot? Why uptake might not match previous years and why the province's chief medical officer has been silent about it. Doug Ford called out Sudbury NDP MPP Jamie West and s...