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Is the Ford government's latest renewable energy procurement enough? Green Party leader Mike Schreiner weighs in on that, the province's takeover of Billy Bishop airport, and where he thinks the budget missed the mark (see: housing). Then, hosts Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath unpack new changes to Ontario's school system, which includes a new job description for school trustees. Is this a move to consolidate power by the Ford government? Finally, two of Ontario's colleges decided to merge, perhaps a sign of the times during a period of declining enrollment and financial support.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do new appointees in Niagara and Simcoe threaten local democracy? Have stronger mayors even helped to build more housing, as promised? Who will foot the bill for proposed changes to the Greater Toronto Area commuter trains? And what does the scheduled transformation of Queen's Park North say about how we imagine urban parks and public spaces in downtown Toronto? Hosts Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath parse out these questions in this week's #onpoli. In "Your Column, My Column," the hosts break down what a Toronto planning dispute says about the housing crisis in Ontario, and discuss how Hamilton will be the best mayor's race in the province. Link:  JMM mentioned the Toronto city report about consultations of the green space. Find it here: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2026.EX29.3 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NDP and Liberal finance critics break down why Ontario's 2026 budget might not 'protect' Ontarians after all. Then, hosts Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath unpack the latest suite of housing announcements that went beyond the HST exemption: an $8.8 billion fund to get municipalities to cut development charges and a new bill that would allow for smaller lots and impact local planning matters and housing development. And of course, Steve and JMM nod to the life and career of Ontario political icon Stephen Lewis and his legacy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ontario's 2026 budget is out. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy joins #onpoli to discuss the Ford government's spending choices, why it has not produced a balanced budget, and when it would ever raise taxes. Then, hosts Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath zoom out and take a broader look at the government's plans: the HST exemption for home purchases, the province's overall fiscal health, electricity subsidies, and how transportation changes might make it harder for northern Ontarians to access Toronto - and why the government is fine with that trade-off. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The public’s access to government records might get restricted -- How free will information be if the Ford government’s proposals go through? Global News journalist Isaac Callan joins the podcast to break it down. Then, hosts Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath unpack new announcements made to the Ford government’s law and order file, and breakdown Ontario municipal elections to watch. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Premier Doug Ford says his government intends to take over Toronto's downtown airport - and it will even pay the city for its trouble. Can he do that? And what does the future hold for the Toronto Islands? Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath break it down. Then, the province named a military defence representative. What will they do? And how might it connect to the Ford government's larger ambitions? Finally, it's March 13 and MPPs are still not back at Queen's Park. How unusual is that? Steve and JMM answer a listener's question with a deep dive into the legislative calendar. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The province will accelerate access to the Ring of Fire, a potential hub for mining critical minerals like nickel and chromite. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss the plans, and how the provinces are laying the groundwork for a national energy grid. Does Niagara Region have too many politicians? Doug Ford certainly seems to think so. Steve and John Michael discuss the pros and cons of amalgamation - and how Peel serves as a case study. You've been asking us about municipal politics, so Steve and JMM speak to Toronto City councillor Amber Morley about what it takes to run and the surprises awaiting those who make it to city council. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-how-to-remember-giorgio-mammoliti JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-would-a-bigger-convention-centre-just-be-a-bigger-waste-of-money See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States Supreme Court struck down some of Donald Trump's tariffs, and now Ontario premier Doug Ford wants a refund. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss why that probably won't happen and the larger implications this move will have on relations with Canada's largest trading partner. The Financial Accountability Office of Ontario has a new report on Ontario's economy - delivering both good news and bad news. Steve and John Michael look into how the economy's modest growth belies the bigger issues of unemployment and housing starts. Ontario's public servants are being asked to return to the office, even while a renovation at their largest office in downtown Toronto is behind schedule and over budget. Steve and JMM examine the motive behind the government's move. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-can-rob-cerjanec-defy-the-odds-again JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-will-burlingtons-housing-bet-pay-off See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ontario and Diageo have cut a deal to keep Crown Royal on LCBO shelves, but how much of the money is actually going to those affected by the liquor maker's decision to close its plant? Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss why everyone else seems to be benefiting at Amherstburg's expense. Big changes are coming to how Ontario funds post-secondary education, including major changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program. Steve and John Michael discuss why students are in an uproar, and how a comment from the premier about baskets isn't helping. The fate of Ontario's school trustees looks grim, and a letter from the Waterloo Region District School Board is unlikely to move the needle. Steve and JMM discuss how legislating this elected position out of existence could come with huge consequences. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-do-canadians-still-want-civility-in-their-politics JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-ontario-should-ban-sports-betting See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath leave the studio and hop on the Eglinton Crosstown, where they discuss what's new on the line, what could be improved, and where public transit in Toronto goes from here. U.S. president Donald Trump has set his eyes on the Gordie Howe Bridge — making several inflammatory claims about the project and threatening the opening. Steve and John Michael discuss why this latest salvo could be a bridge too far for our largest trading partner. Queen's Park is stepping in after accusations of corruption in numerous Ontario police services. Steve and JMM discuss the province's plans and who will be conducting the investigation. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-how-the-scarborough-southwest-byelection-will-reshape-queens-park-and-ottawa JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-no-donald-trump-cant-have-the-gordie-howe-bridge-obviously See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bill Blair's resignation as MP for Scarborough Southwest has spurred a flurry of political moves in Ontario. Doly Begum, formerly the Ontario New Democratic Party's deputy leader, announced she will run for the federal Liberals in the riding; Liberal MP Nate Erskine Smith announced he'll run in Doly's former provincial riding. John Michael McGrath, Émilie Gougeon-Pelletier, and Sabrina Nanji discuss why this is such a big deal. The Eglinton Crosstown finally has an opening date, but will the opening be full steam ahead or go off the rails? John Michael, Émilie, and Sabrina discuss how the line got here and the precedents that could signal how rocky its start may be. The Darlington Refurbishment Project was delivered early and under budget. This project is part of Ontario's energy strategy and will allow the reactor to continue functioning for years to come. So, why did the province scrap its climate targets when it's on the cusp of a nuclear boom? JMM, Émilie, and Sabrina dig into the larger, legal context. JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-doug-ford-looks-invincible-will-that-last See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.