Podcasts about ontario politics

OSAP. School boards. Airports and jets. As Queen's Park breaks for the summer, the Ford government is facing growing scrutiny over a series of high-profile decisions and the public response to them. TVO Today's John Michael McGrath breaks down the latest moves and the political stakes behind them. Then, how are voters feeling about the government, and is there an opening for the opposition? We hear from a panel of political watchers: Kim Wright of Wright Strategies, Ontario Liberal strategist Andrew Perez, columnist Michael Taube, and John Michael McGrath.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell reflects on her time as Ontario's lieutenant governor and what defines the province she served for nearly a decade. Then, more than 60 years after Canada adopted the Maple Leaf and Ontario unveiled its own flag, why didn't everyone rally around these new symbols? #onpoli's John Michael McGrath explains. And we visit Salem Chapel in St. Catharines, where Harriet Tubman once worshipped and where the legacy of the Underground Railroad and the fight for civil rights still resonates today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greg Brady spoke with Jill Promoli, former Ontario Liberal Party Candidate for Mississauga–Streetsville and PDSB Trustee about former federal cabinet minister Navdeep Bains enters Ontario Liberal leader race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Brady spoke with Jill Promoli, former Ontario Liberal Party Candidate for Mississauga–Streetsville and PDSB Trustee about former federal cabinet minister Navdeep Bains enters Ontario Liberal leader race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is limiting cellphone use in schools enough, or should Ontario go further by restricting social media and phones on school property? As the province considers tougher rules, we examine what is driving the push, whether it could improve learning, and what might be lost by narrowing students' access to digital spaces. Mohammed Estaiteyeh, assistant professor of digital pedagogies and technology literacies at Brock University, and Malini Leahy, former teacher and vice-president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation, weigh the benefits and risks. We then turn to Australia, the first country to ban social media for children under 16. How has that policy worked in practice, and what can Canada learn from it? From Sydney, Katrina Champion, associate professor at the University of Sydney's School of Public Health, joins us to explain what the evidence shows so far and what policymakers should consider next.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why is Ontario turning to prison expansion after years of chronic jail overcrowding, and what do internal documents reveal about the true cost and impact of that plan? As researchers question whether building more cells will actually ease the strain, we look at what the province is betting on, with analysis from Mackenzie Plumb, a PhD candidate in criminology at the University of Ottawa, and Lee Chapelle, president of Canadian Prison Consulting. Then, how far should government go in regulating sex offenders after a judge ruled key parts of Ontario's registry unconstitutional? As the premier signals plans to make parts of the registry public, employment lawyer and workplace investigator Abigail Knubley weighs the legal risks and consequences.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On April 18, West Nipissing declared a state of emergency as flooding overwhelmed roads and threatened homes. For residents, the footage raises urgent questions about what protection really exists as floods become more frequent. Conservation authorities are meant to be a frontline defence, but with the Ford government moving to consolidate them, critics and municipal leaders are asking whether communities will be better protected or more exposed. We hear from West Nipissing Mayor Kathleen Thorne Rochon, Janet Stavinga of the Watershed Conservation Coalition, Westport Mayor and AMO board president Robin Jones, Conservation Ontario general manager Angela Coleman, and Ontario Headwaters Institute executive director Andrew McCammon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does Ontario’s Better Regional Governance Act, 2026 actually change, and who ends up with more power at the local level? TVO Today columnist and #onpoli cohost John Michael McGrath breaks down what’s in the legislation and what it is meant to fix. We then turn to the government’s claim that strong mayor powers are speeding up housing construction, examining what the evidence shows so far and whether it has come with democratic tradeoffs. Joining the conversation are David Arbuckle of the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario, Lindsay Jones of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and Natasha Salonen, mayor of the Township of Wilmot.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greg Brady talked to Colin D'Mello, Global News Queen's Park Bureau Chief and host of Focus Ontario, about Ontario buying a private jet for Premier Ford, Ontario jails accidentally releasing inmates and more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Brady talked to Colin D'Mello, Global News Queen's Park Bureau Chief and host of Focus Ontario, about Ontario buying a private jet for Premier Ford, Ontario jails accidentally releasing inmates and more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Online betting now brings in major revenue for the province, but experts warn that the financial upside may come with mounting public-health costs. A similar tension shows up in new data on alcohol use: fewer Ontarians are drinking, yet binge drinking rates remain stubbornly high. What explains the disconnect, and what responsibility does government have when it profits from addictive products? We speak with addiction researchers Andrew Kim and Dominique Morisano.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob Rae reflects on the legacy of Stephen Lewis, one of Canada’s most influential public figures and international advocates. Drawing on decades of public life and personal experience, Rae discusses Lewis’s impact on politics, diplomacy, and social justice, and what his work continues to mean for Canada today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Under Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, the Ford government gave itself new powers to create "special economic zones," promising faster development and fewer regulatory hurdles. Those powers are now being tested at Billy Bishop Airport, where the province is considering expropriating Toronto's stake, overriding a decades-old governance agreement, and declaring the site a special economic zone to accelerate plans for jets. To probe what this shift means for economic growth, democratic oversight, and environmental risk, we're joined by Pedro Antunes of Signal49 Research, University of Toronto professor Jessica Green, and Ontario Chamber of Commerce CEO Daniel Tisch.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ontario's 2026 budget and a proposed overhaul of freedom-of-information laws have dominated headlines, but critics warn some of the most significant changes are escaping scrutiny. As the Ford government moves to rewrite access-to-information rules and quietly advance key budget measures, transparency advocates and political observers ask what is being overlooked, and why it matters. We're joined by The Trillium's Jessica Smith Cross, Transparency International Canada's Salvator Cusimano, and TVO Today columnist and #onpoli co-host John Michael McGrath.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ontario says its Primary Care Action Plan is working and promises universal access by 2029. But with many still without a family doctor and a deadline to publicly fund medically necessary care from nurse practitioners about to be missed, is the primary care crisis really easing or just shifting? Family physician and researcher Dr. Tara Kiran, Ontario College of Family Physicians CEO Deepy Sur, and Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario CEO Michelle Acorn examine whether government optimism matches reality and what stalled nurse practitioner funding means for the future of care.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hundreds of pages and billions of dollars, Ontario's 2026 budget will shape daily life across the province, yet its true priorities are not always obvious at first glance. TVO Today's John Michael McGrath breaks down what's in the budget and why it matters, before a deeper examination of what the numbers reveal about this government's values and fiscal health. Then, as economic uncertainty grows, we ask whether Ontario is prepared for what lies ahead, with analysis from Ricardo Tranjan of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and Rosalie Wyonch of the C.D. Howe Institute.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Calls for tax reform have echoed across party lines for years, but as global trade relationships shift, the pressure to act is intensifying. What, beyond political slogans, would meaningful tax reform actually look like in practice? To examine that question, we turn to Allison Christians, professor and H. Heward Stikeman Chair in the Law of Taxation at McGill University, and Geoffrey Turner, adjunct professor and Tax Counsel-in-Residence at the University of Toronto, to unpack the structural challenges facing Canada's tax system. Then, moving from theory to the real-world consequences for taxpayers, we zoom in on what matters most this filing season, with Ali Spinner, tax partner at Crowe Soberman Chartered Accountants, breaking down the key issues Canadians need to keep in mind as they file their returns.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

40 years ago, something quite extraordinary happened at Queen's Park. The opposition parties combined forces to defeat the Progressive Conservative government of the day, thus, bringing to an end, 42 straight years of Tory rule. The previous time a government had changed hands on a lost confidence vote? 1871! So this was rare. And even a few months earlier, there was little indication any of that drama would unfold. David Peterson, Ontario's 20th premier; Hershell Ezrin, former chief of staff to the premier; and Helen Burstyn, former deputy secretary of the Premier's Council.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Relations between Canada and Indigenous Peoples have certainly evolved since The Agenda first began covering these issues in 2006. There was Stephen Harper's historic apology to former students of Residential Schools in 2008. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission that followed, led by the late Senator Murray Sinclair. The Idle No More movement of the early 2010s. And much more. As we mark National Indigenous History Month, we thought we'd look back at some of these flashpoints in our history, and find out how much progress has been made. From Kanesatake First Nation, council Chief Serge Simon; Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Chair on Truth and Reconciliation at Lakehead University; Karyn Pugliese, journalist and instructor at Carleton University; and Riley Yesno, PhD candidate in political science and Indigenous studies at the University of Toronto, join Steve Paikin to discuss.Chief Serge Simon; Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Chair on Truth and Reconciliation at Lakehead University; Karyn Pugliese, journalist and instructor at Carleton University; and Riley Yesno, PhD candidate in political science and Indigenous studies at the University of Toronto, join Steve Paikin to discuss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Has the level of toxicity in Ontario politics today gotten out of hand? Does Premier Doug Ford ever come across the floor and talk to the opposition members? And how big of a problem is it for the Ontario Liberals that their leader, Bonnie Crombie couldn't win a seat in the last election? Parliamentary leader for the Ontario Liberals and the MPP for Ottawa South, John Fraser, joins host Steve Paikin for a wide-ranging discussion on life at Queen's Park. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Agenda has welcomed to this studio this country's perhaps best known and most tireless advocate for the rights of the disabled over the years. David Lepofsky has been blind since he was a teenager. And he'd love it if this province were just a bit more mindful of its nearly three million citizens who are dealing with some kind of disability. Here's David Lepofsky, author of "Swimming Up Niagara Falls! The Battle to Get Disability Rights Added to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms." He's also the chair of the AODA Alliance and joins Steve Paikin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ontario's Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy joins Steve Paikin to discuss the government's budget for 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Opposition critics Chandra Pasma, NDP MPP for Ottawa West-Nepean; Stephanie Bowman, Liberal MPP for Don Valley West; and Mike Schreiner, leader of the Green Party of Ontario and the MPP for Guelph react to the Ontario government's 2025 budget. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Agenda welcomes four of the five new Liberal MPPs to discuss returning to Queen's Park with official party status for this first time in seven years: Rob Cerjanec, the MPP for Ajax; Lee Fairclough, the MPP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore; Jonathan Tsao, the MPP for Don Valley North; And Tyler Watt, the MPP for Nepean.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Warner went through many wins and losses in his time in politics. He was also the first to be elected as speaker of the provincial legislature. He talks about all of this and more in his new book, "Against the Odds: The Life and Times of an Accidental Politician."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since Donald Trump launched his tariff attack, towns and cities along the border between Canada and the United States have faced enormous economic and political challenges. Just how are the leaders of those communities dealing with the pressure of being on the frontlines of a trade war? Matthew Shoemaker, mayor of Sault Ste. Marie; Drew Dilkens, mayor of Windsor; Corinna Smith-Gatcke, mayor of the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands; and Jim Diodati, mayor of Niagara Falls, join Jeyan Jeganathan to discuss what they are seeing in their communities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the erratic threats of Trump's tariffs, many Canadians are switching to "Made in Canada" products. But in today's market, what does "Made in Canada" mean? How much of anything we buy is made right here in our country? Despite the highly integrated economy that Canada and the U.S. share, can we become more self-reliant by shifting all production to our home and native land? Jim Stanford, economist and Director of the Centre for Future Work; Vass Bednar, executive director of the Master of Public Policy Program at McMaster University and host of the "Lately" podcast; and Jim Hinton, owner and founder of Own Innovation and a Senior Fellow at CIGI, the Centre for International Governance Innovation, join Steve Paikin to discuss what it takes to make more in Canada.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From George Drew in 1943 to Leslie Frost in the 50s then onto John Robarts and finally Bill Davis, the Progressive Conservatives had quite the run in Ontario spending more than four decades in power. But, it would all come unraveled in 1985 after Premier Bill Davis announced his resignation. In episode four of Ontario Chronicle Steve Paikin tells the story of the raucous 1985 PC leadership convention. It involved plenty of strategic backstabbing, chicanery, and "just a little bit of antisemitism" and would ultimately lead to the end of the Tory dynasty. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2018, Doug Ford promised to end overcrowding in hospitals so that patients aren't relegated to hallways and other unconventional areas. Each party leader during this election has pledged considerable health care spending. Including more primary care doctors, and additional beds. But there may not be a one-size-fits-all solution. So, how does a new government tackle this complex issue that's been decades in the making? For insight, we welcome: Dr. Samir Sinha, director of health policy research at the National Institute on Ageing; Joanna Frketich, health reporter for the Hamilton Spectator; Rosalie Wynoch, associate director of research at the C.D. Howe Institute; Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition; and Paul Woods, CEO of Southlake Health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of a provincial election in Ontario, rabble's Jack Layton Journalism for Change fellow Eleanor Wand sits down with Sarah Jama to talk about her re-election campaign as an Independent MPP for Hamilton Centre and how Jama believes that voters between parties have more in common than they think. About our guest Sarah Jama is running for re-election to continue representing Hamilton Centre as MPP. Her community work spans over a decade in Ontario and beyond, including leading intersectional leadership programs, civic engagement initiatives for youth, and grassroots efforts addressing social inequities such as food insecurity. Before being elected, Jama was a sessional faculty member at McMaster University and the executive director of the Disability Justice Network of Ontario. Sarah creates and amplifies spaces for young people by promoting skill-building, knowledge-sharing, and community organizing. As an MPP, Sarah Jama brought her grassroots organizing experience and deep community connections to Queen's Park, providing platforms for disenfranchised individuals who are often dismissed. She has consistently advocated for public healthcare, rent control, affordable and supportive housing, childcare, protected bike lanes, environmental sustainability, and increased funding for education. She has also opposed unnecessary highway expansions, private healthcare, and policies that fail to prioritize the well-being of our communities. Sarah puts working people first, and working people are the heart of Hamilton Centre. If you like the show please consider subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you find your podcasts. And please, rate, review, share rabble radio with your friends — it takes two seconds to support independent media like rabble. Follow us on social media across channels @rabbleca. 

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 John Michael discuss the implication for our province and its auto industry. What have the parties promised in order to tackle the various healthcare crises we're facing in Ontario? And are these promises doable?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ontario has ponied up billions and billions of dollars to be the electric vehicle capital of the world. But with the Trump administration's pivot away from EVs, and tariffs on top of that, has this province's investment been misguided? Brian Kingston, President and CEO of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association; Rachel Doran, VP of Policy and Strategy of Clean Energy Canada; Josipa Petrunic, President & CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium; and Greig Mordue, Associate Professor in the School of Engineering Practice and Technology at McMaster University and the ArcelorMittal Dofasco Chair in Advanced Manufacturing Policy join Steve Paikin to discuss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ontario's 44th election has been called. There will be many issues discussed between now and election day, February 27. But clearly the big issue for discussion on Day One is: Can the premier justify calling this election nearly a year and a half before he needed to? For insight, we welcome: JOHN MYKYTYSHYN, a Conservative political consultant and public-opinion researcher; KIM WRIGHT, principal and founder of Wright Strategies and an NDP strategist; DAN MOULTON, partner at Crestview Strategy and Liberal strategist; SABRINA NANJI, journalist and founder of Queen's Park Observer; and RICHARD SOUTHERN, Queen's Park reporter for 680 NewsRadio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plus an excerpt from my onstage interview at the Montreal Holocaust Museum with Auschwitz survivor, George Reinitz.

Guest host Kevin Vuong is joined by Bob Richardson, the president of Hammersmith Consulting, to discuss the news that the NDP has had possibly its most successful fundraising campaign in years. But will it be enough to help them hold onto the provincial official opposition, or could Bonnie Crombie's liberals sneak in? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once a year, Ontario's Auditor General takes a deep dive into several aspects of provincial spending. The highlight of this year's report: how the Ford government managed the situation on Toronto's waterfront. The verdict: not great. Shelley Spence, who last week issued her first ever report as the province's newest auditor general, joins Steve Paikin to discuss this and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There was a time in Ontario when the provincial government focused on the really big issues: clean air and water, inter-city rail service, provincial parks, good education policy, effective hospital care. Not anymore. Doug Ford's government is different. Exhibit A: deciding where the capital city can and cannot put bike lanes. What's going on here? Why is it starting to feel like Toronto vs. Ontario? Former Toronto mayor and longtime community activist John Sewell; Amanda Galbraith, Co-Founder & Partner of the Oyster Group; and Laura Stone from the Globe and Mail join Steve Paikin to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A GST holiday, 250 dollar cheques, what's next as the Liberals try to win back Canadians in the months before an election.

Almost every province has an identity. Whether you're an Albertan, a Quebecer, or a Newfoundlander, identifying with your province comes a lot easier for some. But what about here in Ontario? How often do you hear anyone refer to themselves as an "Ontarian"? Joining Jeyan Jeganathan to discuss whether there is such a thing as an Ontario identity are, Gord Knowles, Councillor for the town of Atikokan and the Director of Economic Development for Destination Northern Ontario; Andrew Parkin, Executive Director of the Environics Institute; Helen Chimirri-Russell, CEO of Ontario Heritage Trust; George Carothers, Senior Director of Ideas and Insights at the Institute for Canadian Citizenship; and Amanda Simard, former MPP for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lawyer and activist Pamela Cross has been at the forefront of helping survivors of intimate partner violence for 30 years. She shares her insights on the problems and solutions to addressing IPV in her new book. It's called: "And Sometimes They Kill You: Confronting the Epidemic of Intimate Partner Violence." Pamela Cross joins Steve Paikin to discuss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These are difficult times to be a student at one of Ontario's colleges or universities. The provincial government is contributing less, it's frozen tuition for more than six years, and the federal government has cut way back on international student visas, depriving the system of hundreds of millions of dollars it was counting on to keep the lights on. If you've got a kid in post-secondary or are a student there yourself, what are the implications of this perfect storm? David Agnew, who's been president of Seneca Polytechnic since 2009, joins Steve Paikin to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reports have shown that there's a nursing shortage in Ontario. Why are nurses leaving the profession and what are we going to do about it?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-and-a-half years ago, the Ontario government identified that we would need 1.5 million new homes over the next decade to meet demand. What will it take to solve Ontario's housing crisis? Mike Moffat, the Founding Director of PLACE Centre at the Smart Prosperity Institute; Lisa Helps, the Executive Lead of BC Builds; Neil Rodgers, Strategic Advisor for the Ontario Home Builders Association; and Jag Sharma, Deputy City Manager of Development and Growth Services for the City of Toronto join Steve Paikin to discuss possible solutions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What changed at Queen's Park this summer? A new – and the biggest – provincial cabinet of all time. A new education minister, but only for a few months because he liked the job so much, he quit politics altogether. A new policy on safe injection sites. But what stayed the same? Doug Ford's Conservatives are still the overwhelming first choice among voters. To discuss what's percolating at the Pink Palace, we welcome: Toronto Sun political columnist Brian Lilley; Globe and Mail Queen's Park reporter Laura Stone; The Trillium editor-in-chief Jessica Smith Cross; and Greg Brady, "Toronto Today radio host at 640 Toronto.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our review of the week begins with Andrew Lawton discussing his book on Pierre Poilievre. Then, how food can bridge cultural, political, and religious divides. What does a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas look like? And, assessing Canada's record on reconciliation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Herle Burly was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as CN Rail.We're going to get right to it. A deep dive into Ontario Politics and Queen's Park. The stories and the players. With us to do that, two journalists who know the scene better than most: Steve Paikin and Jessica Smith Cross.Steve is making his third appearance on the pod. Journalist, author, documentary producer and anchor of TVO's flagship current affairs program, the Agenda.Jessica is making her second appearance. And with that, has attained official “friend of The Herle Burly” status. She's helped launch the excellent TheTrillium.ca and serves as its Editor-in-Chief. Prior to the Trillium, she was Editor-in-Chief of iPolitics and Queen' Park Briefing.Join us to discuss Ontario and the start of the next election!Thank you for joining us on #TheHerleBurly podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.Watch episodes of The Herle Burly via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.

Fresh polling shows the Progressive Conservatives would emerge victorious if an election was called early.Carolyn Parrish will be the next mayor of Ontario's third largest city.Premier Doug Ford signs another memorandum of understanding with a U-S state, this time it's Illinois. Are these deals really ,a thing,, or just fancy photo ops?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Thursday, Premier Doug Ford announced a new cabinet with some major changes. We'll give you the backstory on who is in, who is out, and why now?Mississauga will vote for a new mayor next week. With no one named McCallion or Crombie on the ticket, the race seems to be wide open.Ontario is looking to grow the number of private health clinics offering publicly funded MRI and CT scans. Minister of Health Sylvia Jones announced a call to expand the number of clinics currently offering the services. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath dig into the pros and cons of the plan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When politicians hold a news conference to make an important announcement, then take questions from reporters, only to not answer the questions, then what? Four guests from all sides of the experience join Steve Paikin to discuss whether ministers and other politicians are being over-prepared for their public interactions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scientist and educator Stella Ng answers a student's question about health care advocacy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.