Queen's Park's extended summer recess

MPPs are heading into an extended summer break. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss what has, and has not, been accomplished this year. Plus, how is the opposition reacting to the long break? Ontario Premier Doug Ford is in the United States making his pitch for "Fortress North America,"…

PC caucus chair ousted after standing up to Doug Ford

Has this been a shorter-than-usual legislative session at Queen's Park? Does it even matter? Hosts Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath find out, discuss whether they're convinced by the reasons of the earlier recess and what impact this shorter session could have. Then, Steve and JMM look at how…

Why is Doug Ford mad at (another) judge?

A tribunal found that nothing corrupted the Ontario Liberals' controversial nomination meeting in Scarborough Southwest. Hosts Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss why Nathaniel Erskine-Smith's allegations were rejected, and what comes next. They also look at emerging advocacy to change th…

Should governments subsidize Ontario's auto sector?

Newly released TTC documents suggest that Metrolinx is not immune to long delays and cost overruns in building new Toronto transit. The province had taken over planning, saying the city was taking too long to build essential infrastructure. So, why the delays? And what happens now? Hosts Steve Paik…

Unexpected fallout from the latest Liberal nomination race

Choosing the new Ontario Liberal candidate in Scarborough Southwest has gone sideways. Ahsanul Hafiz won by 19 votes, but runner-up Nate Erskine-Smith says he has reason to appeal. Is he right? Hosts Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath parse what Steve saw at the Liberal nomination meeting, inclu…

Will Doug Ford go to jail?

Doug Ford accuses the NDP leader of Trump-style rhetoric. With the opposition heating up its criticism against the Ford government, hosts Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath wonder whether Doug Ford is getting a taste of his own medicine. Then, Steve and JMM look at how the Progressive Conservati…

Ford's Conservatives lose double-digit lead

Is Doug Ford's drop in popularity just a blip, or is there reason for Ontario's Progressive Conservatives to be concerned? Hosts Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath break down the latest poll numbers and how they would translate to seats. Then, the hosts look at how Minister of Education Paul Ca…

Doug Ford's flight plan now cancelled

Premier Doug Ford walks back his jet-plane purchase, and says the media is picking on him for trying to run the province more efficiently. Hosts Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath get into whether that political communication works for Ontarians. Meanwhile, Ontario's NDP leader Marit Stiles is t…

Is Ontario's renewable energy turnaround too little, too late?

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 c…

What are the limits to council authority in a strong-mayor era?

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 …