The Ontario government is allowing businesses that check vaccination status to operate at full capacity. It's a big change for businesses that were previously limited by physical distancing requirements. On this week's episode, Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss the details. Also, rumblings that the election may be moved up from June, and the PC government loses another MPP.

#onpoli, a TVO podcast, is all about Ontario politics. Join hosts Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath for candid interviews and a deeper understanding of how politics touches our day-to-day lives. When it comes to #onpoli, we're here to give you the bigger picture.

#onpoli, a TVO podcast, is all about Ontario politics. Join hosts Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath for candid interviews and a deeper understanding of how politics touches our day-to-day lives. When it comes to #onpoli, we're here to give you the big

#onpoli, a TVO podcast

The Ontario government lifts capacity limits

The federal government has tabled its budget, which includes money for municipalities on housing and a tax on the rich. Details have been released piecemeal over the last several weeks, but now Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath will finally be able to digest the whole thing.

 Highway 413 has cleared a major hurdle with the federal government removing the need for an environmental assessment. So, will shovels finally get into the ground for this new project? Not so fast, because there are several other issues that could get in the way.

 Several MPPs at Queen's Park were quietly removed from their committee assignments last week. Steve and John Michael discuss these unusual removals and what they might mean.

 Steve's column:

 John Michael's column:

 You can also see the podcast on the TVO Today YouTube channel and every Friday night at 8 and 11 pm ET as the first half of The Agenda.

The federal government has tabled its budget, which includes money for municipalities on housing and a tax on the rich. Details have been released piecemeal over the last several weeks, but now Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath will finally be able to digest the whole thing.    Highway 413 has cleared a major hurdle with the federal government removing the need for an environmental assessment. So, will shovels finally get into the ground for this new project? Not so fast, because there are several other issues that could get in the way.    Several MPPs at Queen's Park were quietly removed from their committee assignments last week. Steve and John Michael discuss these unusual removals and what they might mean.    Steve's column:    John Michael's column:    You can also see the podcast on the TVO Today YouTube channel and every Friday night at 8 and 11 pm ET as the first half of The Agenda.

Takeaways from the federal budget 2024

Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs Paul Calandra unveiled The Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, a new piece of housing legislation designed to get more housing built. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath break down the omnibus bill and look at the housing policy blitz we've seen from both the federal and provincial government.

The Office of the Premier has 48 staff members on the Sunshine List, which makes it one of the most expensive incarnations of this office ever. How does this expense square with Doug Ford's brand of fiscal responsibility?

The Ontario New Democrat Party recently hit a record for donations, leader Marit Stiles is travelling the province, and the party has been putting forward strong legislation. So, why isn't Doug Ford taking notice? Steve and John Michael discuss the premier's choice of opponents.

Steve’s column: https://www.tvo.org/article/do-doug-ford-and-pierre-poilievre-get-along

John Michael’s column: https://www.tvo.org/article/the-ford-government-needs-to-get-real-about-its-own-housing-statistics

You can also see the podcast on the TVO Today YouTube channel and every Friday night at 8 and 11 pm ET as the first half of The Agenda.

Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs Paul Calandra unveiled The Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, a new piece of housing legislation designed to get more housing built. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath break down the omnibus bill and look at the housing policy blitz we've seen from both the federal and provincial government. The Office of the Premier has 48 staff members on the Sunshine List, which makes it one of the most expensive incarnations of this office ever. How does this expense square with Doug Ford's brand of fiscal responsibility? The Ontario New Democrat Party recently hit a record for donations, leader Marit Stiles is travelling the province, and the party has been putting forward strong legislation. So, why isn't Doug Ford taking notice? Steve and John Michael discuss the premier's choice of opponents.
Steve’s column: <a href="https://www.tvo.org/article/do-doug-ford-and-pierre-poilievre-get-along">https://www.tvo.org/article/do-doug-ford-and-pierre-poilievre-get-along</a>
John Michael’s column: <a href="https://www.tvo.org/article/the-ford-government-needs-to-get-real-about-its-own-housing-statistics">https://www.tvo.org/article/the-ford-government-needs-to-get-real-about-its-own-housing-statistics</a>
You can also see the podcast on the TVO Today YouTube channel and every Friday night at 8 and 11 pm ET as the first half of The Agenda.

Breaking down the latest housing policy blitz

The Canadian government has announced a new infrastructure fund that would provide billions to provinces and territories to build up wastewater treatment capacity and housing. The money comes with strings that include a pledge to build ,missing middle, housing, which Premier Doug Ford has opposed. The premier says he would rather let municipalities decide what and where to build. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath break down the premier's hesitancy to change course.

Ontario has decided where its allotment of international students will go, and public universities and colleges are the big winners. Private career colleges will see a drop in enrolment and could be the first casualties from this new federal cap.

There's a deadline to call a by-election and the time has come for Lambton Kent Middlesex, the former riding of MPP Monte McNaughton. Steve and John Michael discuss who will be running.

You can also see the podcast on the TVO Today YouTube channel and every Friday night at 8 and 11 pm ET as the first half of The Agenda.

Steve’s column: https://www.tvo.org/article/a-conversation-in-hamiltons-tent-city

John Michael’s column: https://www.tvo.org/article/renters-in-canada-need-all-the-help-they-can-get-will-a-bill-of-rights-make-any-difference

The Canadian government has announced a new infrastructure fund that would provide billions to provinces and territories to build up wastewater treatment capacity and housing. The money comes with strings that include a pledge to build ,missing middle, housing, which Premier Doug Ford has opposed. The premier says he would rather let municipalities decide what and where to build. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath break down the premier's hesitancy to change course. Ontario has decided where its allotment of international students will go, and public universities and colleges are the big winners. Private career colleges will see a drop in enrolment and could be the first casualties from this new federal cap. There's a deadline to call a by-election and the time has come for Lambton Kent Middlesex, the former riding of MPP Monte McNaughton. Steve and John Michael discuss who will be running. You can also see the podcast on the TVO Today YouTube channel and every Friday night at 8 and 11 pm ET as the first half of The Agenda.
Steve’s column: <a href="https://www.tvo.org/article/a-conversation-in-hamiltons-tent-city" data-ogsc="" data-outlook-id="9eaa488b-1536-49e2-94e5-34a273503ab2">https://www.tvo.org/article/a-conversation-in-hamiltons-tent-city</a> John Michael’s column: <a href="https://www.tvo.org/article/renters-in-canada-need-all-the-help-they-can-get-will-a-bill-of-rights-make-any-difference" data-ogsc="" data-outlook-id="8e756395-9f6b-48dc-84f0-4ac3a6502724">https://www.tvo.org/article/renters-in-canada-need-all-the-help-they-can-get-will-a-bill-of-rights-make-any-difference</a>

The Ontario government lifts capacity limits

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