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 how we imagine urban parks and public spaces in downtown Toronto? Hosts Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath parse out these questions in this week's #onpoli. In "Your Column, My Column," the hosts break down what a Toronto planning dispute says about the housing crisis in Ontario, and discuss how Hamilton will be the best mayor's race in the province.

Link: 

JMM mentioned the Toronto city report about consultations of the green space. Find it here: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2026.EX29.3

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 how we imagine urban parks and public spaces in downtown Toronto? Hosts Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath parse out these questions in this week's #onpoli. In "Your Column, My Column," the hosts break down what a Toronto planning dispute says about the housing crisis in Ontario, and discuss how Hamilton will be the best mayor's race in the province.
Link:&nbsp;
JMM mentioned the Toronto city report about consultations of the green space. Find it here: <a href="https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2026.EX29.3" data-hyperlink="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2026.EX29.3&quot;}">https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2026.EX29.3</a>

#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

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

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," and making the rounds on American media. Steve and John Michael discuss how the premier is working with politicians on the ground. But will the Trump administration listen?

Matthew Shoemaker, the mayor of Sault Ste. Marie, joins Steve and JMM to talk about a new book on Sir William Hearst, Ontario's sole premier to come from The Soo.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/can-a-little-known-policy-wonk-win-the-liberal-leadership-race

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-what-does-ontario-gain-from-fortress-north-america

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," and making the rounds on American media. Steve and John Michael discuss how the premier is working with politicians on the ground. But will the Trump administration listen?
Matthew Shoemaker, the mayor of Sault Ste. Marie, joins Steve and JMM to talk about a new book on Sir William Hearst, Ontario's sole premier to come from The Soo.
Steve's column: <a href="https://www.tvo.org/article/can-a-little-known-policy-wonk-win-the-liberal-leadership-race">https://www.tvo.org/article/can-a-little-known-policy-wonk-win-the-liberal-leadership-race</a>
JMM's column: <a href="https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-what-does-ontario-gain-from-fortress-north-america">https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-what-does-ontario-gain-from-fortress-north-america</a>

Queen's Park's extended summer recess

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 MPP Will Bouma has been ousted as the Progressive Conservatives' caucus chair; Bouma was relieved after challenging Premier Doug Ford over MPP pensions and the fallout from Ford's private jet scandal. Steve and JMM take the opportunity to look at whether this is good caucus management.

Also, this being Indigenous History Month, the show features a bit of MPP Sol Mamakwa's latest speech in the Ontario Legislature, which brought Oji-Cree to Queen's Park and had a notable call to action for Indigenous youth.

And finally, in "Your Column, My Column," JMM highlights where democratic reform might be necessary outside of electoral reform, and Steve looks at ways to rejuvenate 24 Sussex Drive.

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 MPP Will Bouma has been ousted as the Progressive Conservatives' caucus chair; Bouma was relieved after challenging Premier Doug Ford over MPP pensions and the fallout from Ford's private jet scandal. Steve and JMM take the opportunity to look at whether this is good caucus management.
Also, this being Indigenous History Month, the show features a bit of MPP Sol Mamakwa's latest speech in the Ontario Legislature, which brought Oji-Cree to Queen's Park and had a notable call to action for Indigenous youth.
And finally, in "Your Column, My Column," JMM highlights where democratic reform might be necessary outside of electoral reform, and Steve looks at ways to rejuvenate 24 Sussex Drive.

PC caucus chair ousted after standing up to Doug Ford

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 the party's voting rules, as well as new names that have entered the Ontario Liberal leadership race.

Plus, Ontario finally passes a new law regulating the inappropriate behavior of municipal politicians. Advocates say it's a first step, but the threshold for disciplinary action raises eyebrows. Will the law actually help?

Then, Doug Ford lashed out at another judge's decision this week. A judge decided it was a Charter violation for Waterloo to clear an encampment that allegedly stands in the way of transit development. Were Doug Ford's comments out of line? Some legal academics believe Ford's statements threaten the independence of Canadian Courts.

Finally, in "Your Column, My Column," JMM looks at whether new rules around grocery store leases could bring grocery prices down. And Steve pays tribute to one of Toronto's original political mavericks, Howard Moscoe.

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 the party's voting rules, as well as new names that have entered the Ontario Liberal leadership race.
Plus, Ontario finally passes a new law regulating the inappropriate behavior of municipal politicians. Advocates say it's a first step, but the threshold for disciplinary action raises eyebrows. Will the law actually help?
Then, Doug Ford lashed out at another judge's decision this week. A judge decided it was a Charter violation for Waterloo to clear an encampment that allegedly stands in the way of transit development. Were Doug Ford's comments out of line? Some legal academics believe Ford's statements threaten the independence of Canadian Courts.
Finally, in "Your Column, My Column," JMM looks at whether new rules around grocery store leases could bring grocery prices down. And Steve pays tribute to one of Toronto's original political mavericks, Howard Moscoe.

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

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