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

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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.

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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

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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)

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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

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Shelley Spence, Ontario's auditor general, published a narrowly tailored report on health-care spending in the province. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss why OHIP overbilling, COVID personal protective equipment, and primary care connections are highlighted.

Ontario has introduced a number of proposed legislative changes aimed at justice and crime. Steve and John Michael discuss how change to the bail system might be unconstitutional, and how dogs and cats fit into story.

Education minister Paul Calandra has finally released the province's EQAO scores, and he's not happy with the results. He's creating a two-person team to investigate the test. Steve and JMM discuss how much that will cost to do and how there might be some pitfalls in store for the minister.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/the-many-ways-to-honour-ken-dryden

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-does-the-new-empties-scheme-sell-out-northern-ontario

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Ontario New Democratic Party leader Marit Stiles has called on the Integrity Commissioner to investigate Labour Minister David Piccini as the skills development fund controversy deepens. But will it amount to anything?

John Michael McGrath and Jessica Smith Cross discuss the importance of the information that will come out as a result. Bill 60, the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act passed its third reading at the legislature, and some are sounding the alarm around water safety in the province. John Michael and Jessica discuss what effect the legislation will have on water infrastructure in Peel Region.

If Ontario Place wasn't enough, now we need to ask if the Ford government is eyeing Exhibition Place as well. JMM and Jess discuss the text of Bill 68 and how a confluence of confusing legislation and distrust in government lead to a controversy.

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-ford-threatened-to-audit-his-critics-can-he-do-that

How a political disaster brewed in Brighton: https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/politics/how-a-political-disaster-brewed-in-brighton-9095416

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Ontario Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini is at the centre of a growing hubbub over the Ontario's Skills Development Fund. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss the latest developments, and why Ontario New Democratic party leader Marit Stiles got herself thrown out of Queen's Park over the controversy.

Doug Ford and Peter Bethlenfalvy are usually in agreement on financial matters, at least until a proposed cut to the harmonized sales tax for first-time home buyers. Ford believes the criteria is too narrow, Bethlenfalvy says he and the premier work together on these matters.

Steve and John Michael discuss where this conflict will go and what's happened in the past when a premier and minister of finance disagreed over policy. Bills 33 and 60 are making their way into law this week, and, as you might expect, there was major disagreement over the lack of committee time to debate these bills. Steve and JMM discuss how a short legislative calendar and procedural moves pushed these through.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-will-anyone-miss-fixed-election-dates

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-one-small-trick-to-build-new-affordable-housing

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