Show Notes
Ontario Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini is at the centre of a growing hubbub over the Ontario's Skills Development Fund. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss the latest developments, and why Ontario New Democratic party leader Marit Stiles got herself thrown out of Queen's Park over the controversy. Doug Ford and Peter Bethlenfalvy are usually in agreement on financial matters, at least until a proposed cut to the harmonized sales tax for first-time home buyers. Ford believes the criteria is too narrow, Bethlenfalvy says he and the premier work together on these matters. Steve and John Michael discuss where this conflict will go and what's happened in the past when a premier and minister of finance disagreed over policy. Bills 33 and 60 are making their way into law this week, and, as you might expect, there was major disagreement over the lack of committee time to debate these bills. Steve and JMM discuss how a short legislative calendar and procedural moves pushed these through. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-will-anyone-miss-fixed-election-dates JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-one-small-trick-to-build-new-affordable-housing See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More from #onpoli, a TVO podcast
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Doug Ford announced a $9 billion rescue package for two key tariff-battered sectors of Ontario's economy. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath look into where the money is going and what the long game is for these beleaguered industries. In the final installment of Municipal Election Watch, Steve and John Michael look at how close the mayoral race in Toronto has become, what's happening in Mississauga, and a strange situation in Ottawa where one candidate is in jail. Ontario is lowering its hydro rebate for electricity users in the province. Steve and JMM look at what that means for your pocketbook, while Steve makes the case (again) that not all Ontarians should receive the rebate. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/why-two-former-political-rivals-came-together-to-fight-for-the-power-of-cities JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-waymo-is-coming-to-toronto-can-the-city-learn-from-past-mistakes See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bill 25, the Gravesites of Former Premiers Act, commemorates past provincial leaders with a plaque, and Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath provide the context on a gravesite through Toronto.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ontario premier Doug Ford says the province has to plan for Donald Trump's tariffs to stay - whether or not the Republican party retains control after the midterms. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath take a look into Ontario's economic future and what the NDP is saying about the recent layoffs at Stelco. Municipal Election Watch returns with a look at Haldimand county and a recap of the Toronto mayor's debate hosted by TVO. Steve and John Michael McGrath dig into how Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford performed at the event. Within biking distance of TVO's studio are the graves of seven former premiers of Ontario. Steve and JMM provide historical context about each premier as they take listeners on a gravesite tour through Mount Pleasant and St. James cemeteries. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/in-torontos-finance-district-a-piece-of-history-disappears JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-people-are-angry-about-stelco-what-can-canadian-governments-do-about-it See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The province is pausing OSAP payments to all career college students in the wake of reporting from the Canadian Press that some schools may be misusing funds. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath take a deep dive into how private career colleges are driving up spending - and how that affects the broader post-secondary education system. Municipal Election Watch continues, with Steve and John Michael discussing how things got heated during a debate in Mississauga, why Doug Ford is running for mayor in Kawartha Lakes, and how two mayoral candidates in Milton are vowing a clean race. In 2023, Ontario's Integrity Commissioner found that PC MPP Steve Clark had breached the Members' Integrity Act - and the commissioner recommended Clark be reprimanded for his conduct. Steve and JMM discuss why that never happened and why Ontario Liberal MPP Dr. Adil Shamji is talking about it. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/beaches-east-york-hosts-one-of-the-most-intriguing-campaigns-in-the-province-again JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-what-are-torontos-conservatives-doing See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stelco is laying off workers in Hamilton and every level of government is livid. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath examine the impact tariffs have had on steel production in Canada, and what an American CEO has to do with this move. Municipal Election Watch returns with Steve and John Michael taking a look at the races in Windsor and Halton Hills. Former Ontario MPP Gary Malkowski and filmmaker Alvin Witcher join the podcast to discuss a new documentary, "Gary Malkowski: A Deaf Legacy in Ontario." Steve and the guests discuss Malkowski's journey from Deaf community advocate to elected official. Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/queens-park-needs-a-facelift-ontario-should-give-pei-a-call JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-should-the-province-rip-up-torontos-zoning-rules Transcript file coming soon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.