Episodios

  • Doug Ford wants a refund
    Feb 27 2026

    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.

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    43 m
  • Booze, boards, and rumours
    Feb 20 2026

    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.

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    46 m
  • A long-awaited tour of Line 5
    Feb 13 2026

    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.

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    48 m
  • A federal resignation, a provincial race
    Feb 6 2026

    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.

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    39 m
  • Navigating the Ring of Fire
    Jan 30 2026

    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.

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    45 m
  • Mark Carney cuts a deal with China, Doug Ford calls for a boycott
    Jan 23 2026

    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.

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    41 m
  • Ontario Place goes to the Supreme Court of Canada
    Jan 16 2026

    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.

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    46 m
  • Another lump of coal for Doug Ford
    Dec 12 2025

    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.

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    1 h y 4 m