Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie has made her first major election campaign promise: a tax cut for the middle class. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss how the Liberals are trying to outflank the Tories on the cost of living crisis.

We now know the cost of the province's plan to remove bike lanes from Toronto's streets: $48 million. Can the city stop the removal? 

Receiving presumptive care has gotten a little easier for wildland firefighters; however, union leaders argue the changes don't go far enough. 

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/toronto-honours-former-ontario-cabinet-minister-david-caplan

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/opinion-how-many-ways-can-ontario-fail-to-tackle-the-housing-crisis

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Donald Trump has been elected the 47th president of the United States. What are the implications for Ontario's economy? Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss what sectors will be impacted the most.

The Ontario Liberal Party has a new line of attack on the family doctor shortage in the province.

Ontario integrity commissioner is retiring early, so what happens to the office's investigations?

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/this-remembrance-day-richard-rohmer-will-be-returning-to-queens-park

John Michael's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/opinion-legalize-housing-is-a-taller-order-than-queens-park-realizes

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The fall economic statement shows the province is raking in more money than previously thought, but is it enough to justify a $200 cheque to every Ontarian? Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss. Are you getting a COVID shot? Why uptake might not match previous years and why the province's chief medical officer has been silent about it. Doug Ford called out Sudbury NDP MPP Jamie West and says he's playing cards on the back bench. Is it just another signal that a spring election looms? Peter Bethlenfalvy joins the podcast to talk about the province's financial state of affairs and defends the government's books.

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Queen's Park is back and still talking about bike lanes. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss the government's first big piece legislation and why it's so laser focused on bikes.

Dr. Jane Philpott is taking charge of a provincial team that's looking to connect all Ontarians with a primary healthcare provider. It's an odd job for the former Liberal health minister although well within her wheelhouse, but will Doug Ford listen to her recommendations?

Marit Stiles joins the podcast to talk about the NDP's plans for upcoming session at QP, the fact that 3 of her MPPs have left for Federal politics, and why she's the alternative Ontarians need right now. 

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/celebrating-a-man-who-knows-all-there-is-to-know-about-ontario-political-history

JMM's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/opinion-ontario-could-have-a-new-option-for-turning-offices-into-homes-if-the-government-takes

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Ontario Green Party leader Mike Schreiner joins the podcast to talk about his hopes for the party, the new session at Queen's Park, and much more.

Want bike lanes in your city? Well, you'll have to run it by Queen's Park as the provincial government wants a say on where bike lanes go.

Ontario Liberals are saying the Therme Spa deal is Doug Ford's 407. The NDP are calling for an investigation into it the deal. Meanwhile, Doug Ford will be sending you $200 in the mail.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/remembering-jim-peterson

John Michael's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/opinion-governments-add-red-tape-to-stuff-they-want-to-suffocate-housing-and-bike-lanes

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The province is undertaking an audit of children's aid societies in Ontario. This comes after Premier Doug Ford's criticized cost overruns and manager bonuses. Unions representing the organizations say the criticism is a smokescreen for decades of underfunding that have worsened conditions. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss the status of the system and what can be done to prevent tragedies.

The provincial government has released the details of its lease to Therme. A 95-year lease will provide the province with $2 billion in revenue, which, if you do the math, isn't that much money per year. Steve and JMM discuss the fallout.

Geoffrey Hinton, the so-called father of artificial intelligence, has words for Doug Ford over the closure of the Ontario Science Centre. The new Nobel laureate says people shouldn't elect someone who is willing to close an institution that embraced curiosity.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/is-this-marit-stiless-moment

John Michael's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/opinion-toronto-gets-a-raw-deal-from-the-province-that-doesnt-mean-it-can-ignore-the-basics

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Bhutila Karpoche is the third NDP MPP to seek a federal nomination. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath talk about why now might be the time to make the leap to Ottawa.

Another transit headache for the City of Toronto as Mosaic, the builders behind the Finch LRT, sue the province over delays in opening the line.

Should the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation be a provincial holiday in Ontario? Sol Mamakwa thinks it should be; the government isn't so sure.

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/honouring-americas-first-centenarian-president

John Michael's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/opinion-are-the-federal-liberals-facing-an-extinction-event

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Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie joins Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath to discuss her plans ahead of a potential spring election, the OLP's new slogan, and how she tries to get under Doug Ford's skin.

Premier Ford's comments telling homeless people to get off their butts and get jobs has him taking heat, and leaves many wondering if he's unaware of the pervasiveness of this issue.

Doug Ford wants to build a highway underneath the 401. Will a feasibility study build his case or show that this is simple a pipe dream?

John Michael's column: Coming Soon

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/what-can-we-learn-from-the-ontario-liberals-new-slogan

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The Ontario PC Party has won the riding of Bay of Quinte, replacing former education minister Todd Smith. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath dig into how this may affect a possible spring election.

The Government of Ontario has released its public accounts, which show that revenues are up and the deficit is down, but the debt just got bigger.

And the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario will launch an investigation into the early expansion of alcohol sales. The report, set to be released in early 2025, could be a bombshell for an early election.

Steve's column: (coming soon)

John Michael's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/do-the-costs-of-wind-power-outweigh-its-benefits-for-ontario

Caretaker Convention explainer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gkOtfh0-hQ

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The Government of Ontario is spending millions on upgrading the water infrastructure in Prince Edward County — ahead of a by-election next week. Coincidence? Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss.

Doug Ford believes Jagmeet Singh won't trigger an early election at the federal level due to his pension. The NDP leader fires back telling the Premier to stop focusing on alcohol in corner stores.

Food bank usage has spiked in Ontario with over a million people visiting one in the last year. It's a grim milestone and one group is calling for change.

Steve's column:

John Michael's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/opinion-is-there-really-such-a-thing-as-good-economic-news-during-a-housing-crisis

The Thread's episode on food insecurity: https://youtu.be/uTGKHJnBF3M?si=0Eq_pZd4UCYc_6eC

TVO Today Live in Mississauga: https://www.tvo.org/tvo-today-live#upcomingevents

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A new ban on smartphones in Ontario's secondary schools has come into effect. How will students react to the new policy? Or will the province reverse course like the Toronto District School Board?

Alcohol sales have expanded in Ontario to convenience stores and gas stations while supervised consumption sites have been shuttered. Steve and John Michael discuss the two decisions and their cognitive dissonance.

They also discuss the by-election for the Bay of Quinte following the resignation of MPP Todd Smith. Smith is the latest Tory MPP to leave the party for the private sector, so how will this by-election affect a potential election in spring?

Steve's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/checking-in-with-ottawas-former-mayor

John Michael's column: https://www.tvo.org/article/on-energy-the-government-has-some-difficult-choices-to-make

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.

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