Ontario News Watch

Rural Ontario hydro users hoping for deliverance from high bills
Premier Kathleen Wynne turns her eye to hydro delivery fees as backlash grows and next year’s provincial election looms.

[BLOCKED] Ontario's Hottest Political Issues On Podcast

Scroll down to see the latest interviews, shows, mini-documentaries and stories on podcast from ONW.

[BLOCKED] The ONW Interview: NDP Leader Andrea Horwath

Premier Wynne's new transit panel shows a key difference between the two politicians, Howath tells Susanna Kelley. Actions, not endless talk, will differentiate them next election.

[BLOCKED] The ONW Insiders: Hershell Ezrin, Howard Hampton and Jeff Bangs

While the OPP investigates deleted emails from top McGuinty aides in the gas plant scandal, the Insiders step back to assess each leader's performance this sitting

[BLOCKED] The ONW Insiders: Hershell Ezrin, Howard Hampton and Jeff Bangs.

PC leader Tim Hudak wants to know if a list of fee increases on or off the table for Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne. The ONW Insiders with host Susanna Kelley.

[BLOCKED] Gambate: Inside Mike Harris' Common Sense Revolution

He grew up in poverty yet as a minister brought in the toughest welfare reforms in Ontario history. David Tsubouchi tells ONW about his new book and being at the epicentre of the CSR

[BLOCKED] The ONW Insiders: Taxes, Tolls and Transit

Will Ontario agree to HST and gas tax hikes to raise $34 billion over 20 years to fight GTHA gridlock? Insiders Hershell Ezrin, Howard Hampton and John Parker on Metrolinx's recommendations.

[BLOCKED] The ONW Insiders, Part 1: The NDP-Liberal Budget Deal

Hershell Ezrin, Jeff Bangs and Howard Hampton on whether NDP budget wins are an example of might over right, or democratic, compromise minority government politics at its finest?

[BLOCKED] The ONW Insiders, Part 2: Rob Ford Crack Allegations

Will reports of a video allegedly showing Toronto's mayor smoking crack do in Ford Nation? ONW Insiders Hershell Ezrin, Jeff Bangs and Howard Hampton with host Susanna Kelley.

[BLOCKED] The ONW Insiders, Part 1: Hershell Ezrin, Howard Hampton, Jeff Bangs

Former Premier Dalton McGuinty says he made the decision to shutter the Mississauga gas plant. But how likely is it he made the eleventh-hour election choice alone?

[BLOCKED] The ONW Insiders, Part 2: Hershell Ezrin, Howard Hampton, Jeff Bangs

Former Premier Dalton McGuinty cancelled the Mississauga gas plant in mid-campaign without knowing the cost. How often are important policy decisions made on the fly?

[BLOCKED] The ONW Insiders: Ontario Budget 2013

More money for home care, jobs for youth, lower car insurance rates ... John Snobelen, Howard Hampton and Bob Richardson on whether the Liberals can successfully woo the NDP and avoid an election.

[BLOCKED] The ONW Insiders: What Kind Of Budget Does Ontario Need?

The Liberals' May 2nd budget may win NDP support, but is it what Ontario needs? Former PC Premier Ernie Eves, Liberal Bob Richardson and former NDP leader Howard Hampton debate.

[BLOCKED] The ONW Insiders, Part 1: Justin Trudeau's First Week

Justin Trudeau made his debut as Liberal leader in Ottawa this week. He stuck to his theme of championing the middle class. Ezrin, Hampton and Bangs on the strategy behind that.

[BLOCKED] The ONW Insiders, Part 2: Justin Trudeau's First Week

When Justin Trudeau fights the next election, the battlegrounds are clear: seats in Ontario's "905" belt and Quebec. Ezrin, Hampton and Bangs on what he needs to do to win.

[BLOCKED] The ONW Insiders: Big Gamble on Big Move

Fuel tax? Highway tolls? Metrolinx has released ideas on how to pay for new transit. Can Kathleen Wynne sell voters on paying more? Ezrin, Hampton and Bangs on her Big Gamble on The Big Move.

[BLOCKED] The ONW Insiders: The Rob Ford Bombshell

The Toronto Star alleges the Toronto Mayor has a drinking problem that has been an open secret at city hall. Ezrin, Bangs and Hampton on when the private becomes a legitimate public concern.

[BLOCKED] The ONW Insiders: Is The Fix In For A Toronto Casino?

Premier Wynne has pulled two Ontario Lottery and Gaming officials in to demand Toronto won't get a special casino deal. Hershell Ezrin, Jeff Bangs and Howard Hampton on that.

[BLOCKED] The ONW Insiders: Is the Political Pendulum Swinging Left?

Justin Trudeau signs up 150,000 supporters; Almost 61 per cent of Ontarians prefer the Liberals or the NDP. We ask Ezrin, Snobelen and Hampton: are Canadians moving left?

[BLOCKED] The ONW Insiders: Tim Hudak's Big Hard Right Gamble, Part 1

Ontario a Right To Work province. 10,000 education workers cut. Can going hard right win the next election for the PC's? Ezrin, Snobelen and Hampton on Tim Hudak's big gamble.

[BLOCKED] The ONW Insiders: Tim Hudak's Big Hard Right Gamble, Part 2

Cracking down hard on unions, cutting welfare payments. Tim Hudak is gambling it all on going hard right. Ezrin, Snobelen and Hampton on whether it's a winning strategy.

[BLOCKED] The ONW Insiders: The Gas Plant Affair

The PC's and NDP have been hammering the Liberals for months over the gas plant affair. How seriously is it affecting the Wynne government? Insiders Ezrin, Snobelen and Ferreira's surprise take.

[BLOCKED] The ONW Insiders: Throne Speech Strategies

The Speech may buy Premier Wynne time and distance from Liberal scandals. But what are Tim Hudak's and Andrea Horwath's Throne Speech strategies? Ezrin, Hampton and Bangs weigh in.

[BLOCKED] The ONW Insiders: The New Ontario Cabinet

What message do Kathleen Wynne's new cabinet picks send about where she's taking Ontario? Queen's Park experts Marie Bountrogianni, John Snobelen and Sheila White give us their take.

Tweets from @OntNewsWatch/ontario-s-opinion-leaders

The ONW Salon: Is Canada Doing Enough To Keep Our Citizens Safe?

Six men were killed in a shooting at a Quebec City mosque on earlier this week. Are we doing enough to ensure Canadians' safety? Mahoney, Capobianco and Parkin discuss.

February 01, 2017

What Should Ontario Do If Senate Reform Lite Really Is “A Constitutional Crisis Waiting To Happen”?

Prime Minister Trudeau's emphasis on making Senators independent ignores a constitutional crisis waiting to happen, writes Randall White.

January 31, 2017

CPC and NDP Leadership Races Heat Up

The NDP's Charlie Angus is signalling a potential jump into the leadership race and Kevin O'Leary is now a CPC leadership candidate. What are their chances? Mahoney, Capobianco and Parkin discuss.

January 24, 2017

Kellie Leitch Is Right: It’s Hard To Borrow A Cup Of Sugar … But The Problem Isn’t Toronto

CPC Leadership candidate Kellie Leitch says it's hard to borrow a cup of sugar in Toronto, because there is "no sense of community." Terri Chu says we need to build more walkable communities.

January 24, 2017

The ONW Salon: Can The Trudeau Government Stop Trump Border Taxes?

A Trump spokesman reportedly says Canada may face a border tax on vehicles exported to the U.S. How can Canada protect its exports? Mahoney, Capobianco and Parkin debate.

January 18, 2017

Ontario Is Far From Alone In Considering A Basic Income Project

Ontario joins Finland, Scotland and even Silicon Valley in looking at a basic income plan to solve technology's cannibalizing more and more jobs. Randall White explains.

January 17, 2017

The ONW Salon: Trudeau Shuffles His Cabinet

What do the new cabinet appointments mean for Canada's upcoming political agenda? We asked veteran political analysts Scott Reid, John Capobianco and Tom Parkin.

January 11, 2017

2017's Higher Gas Prices A Boon To The Environment

The New Year brings higher gas prices due to the new carbon tax, but that's a positive for the environment, writes Terri Chu. They will push people to conserve energy.

January 05, 2017

The ONW Salon: A Political Look Ahead For 2017

What will be the big issues on the federal political scene in the next year? How will the economy do? Mahoney, Capobianco and Parkin look ahead.

January 04, 2017

Randall White: Where Will Ontario's NDP Go In 2017?

When a veteran New Democrat the stature of Paul Ferreira quit the party in protest, many snapped to attention. The former MPP says the party of Andrea Horwath needs a serious "reset".

December 22, 2016

The ONW Salon: Where Do Health Care Talks Go From Here?

Negotiations broke down after Ottawa took $11.5 billion dollars in home care and mental health funding off the table. Are talks permanently stalled? Mahoney, Capobianco and Parkin discuss.

December 21, 2016

The ONW Salon: Will The Working Class Lash Out In Canada Too?

Anger over lost jobs is being blamed for voting upsets in the U.S., Britain and Italy. Are the Liberals here doing enough for the working class? Mahoney, Stewart and Parkin debate.

December 14, 2016

VIEW ALL onw NEWS

Parkin: On electoral reform, Trudeau didn’t just break a promise – he lied
On electoral reform, Trudeau lied. And he ran a strategy designed to sabotage electoral reform and create acceptance of his lie.

Pittis: Relax about a higher loonie, but let's avoid a global currency war
Don't worry too much about a strong Canadian dollar, experts say. A Trump-led currency war would be far more dangerous.

Star: On security policy, 'trust us' is not good enough
The recent revelations about illegal spying reinforce the need for robust, independent oversight of the security establishment.

Sun: Liz Sandals causes another Liberal train wreck
Senior Ontario Liberal cabinet minister Liz Sandals says most of the people who ride on the Go Train don’t have exceptional talent.

Walkom: Lawsuit adds new wrinkles to Kathleen Wynne’s foolhardy Hydro One privatization scheme
Ontario's Liberal government is unwisely dismissive of a lawsuit that makes political sense.

$Queen\'s Park Corner$

Quality of French-immersion teachers questioned as demand soars in Canada
Competition among school boards for qualified second-language teachers is fierce, and at times desperate.

Ottawa’s offer on health funding for provinces falls short: study
The analysis Monday by the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy agrees that the federal offer falls short for all provinces.

Trade briefing for Trump's team flagged Canadian softwood, dairy
Confidential briefing notes prepared by the U.S. Trade Representative's Office for President Donald Trump’s transition team flagged Canada’s dairy policies and the “deeply rooted” softwood lumber dispute as trade issues to watch.

Federal economic growth council to unveil recommendations ahead of budget
The Trudeau government's group of economic advisers will release a new set of recommendations today that could help shape the upcoming federal budget.

Former top security boss says it's 'almost impossible' to trace defence leaks
A former national security adviser to two prime ministers says he was concerned about leaks of classified information at National Defence and occasionally ordered RCMP investigations.

Liberals spent at least $4.1 million consulting Canadians on the electoral reform policy that would never be
The Liberals’ electoral reform exercise — which we learned last week won’t come to fruition — cost a minimum of $4.1 million, according to an analysis of government expenses.

Kellie Leitch's immigration policy could damage Conservative Party: Peter MacKay
Peter MacKay, one of the people who helped create the modern Conservative Party, says positions on immigration from leadership candidate Kellie Leitch may damage the party’s brand.

Contract talks break off between CBSA workers' union and Treasury Board
The union representing Canada Border Services Agency workers in contract negotiations says talks have broken off after three days of mediation.

Maxime Bernier says opponents are ‘afraid’ of his policies on equalization and supply management
Conservative leadership frontrunner Maxime Bernier says other candidates, including Kevin O’Leary, are “afraid” of free market policies that some regions or special interests won’t like.

Week of action planned to protest dropping electoral reform
Canadians protest the Trudeau Government's decision to scrap electoral reform with 'Week of Action'.

John Tory presses premier to address daycare crisis
Facing pressure from city councillors and parents, Mayor John Tory wrote a letter to Premier Kathleen Wynne on Sunday, saying “the status quo leaves Toronto taxpayers footing the bills that the province should be paying.”

Northern Ontario media cuts: 'How the Hell can you have four people covering a city?'
Some 20 jobs have been cut at TV stations and newspapers in northern Ontario in recent weeks.

Proposed wind turbines will be significantly taller
The 12 wind turbines that are proposed for the Otter Creek Wind Farm, will be significantly taller than wind turbines already erected in Chatham-Kent.