Ontario Loud

You all sent us so many questions to answer in our END OF SEASON MAILBAG! We talk about catholic schools, electoral reform, ranked ballots, Kyky's Kookies, affordable housing, civility in politics, and so, so much more. Thank you to all of you for a wonderful season, and we will see you in the Fall.

We took a bit of a breather this week, but Chris did sit down with Rebecca Jesseman, former chair of the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre Community Advisory Board (CAB), which was a community-led oversight body that had access to the facility and recommended ways to improve conditions. Naturally this was unacceptable to the Ford government. Sigh. 

Sam, Chris, Alvin and Garima dive into all the politics that are underway as we head into summer. Between cabinet shuffles, election platform planks and new attack ads, it's clear Ontario's political parties are gearing up to take the fight to the streets in Hot Vax Summer.

While most Ontarians were out enjoying nice weather and the company of other humans, Doug Ford recalled the legislature to pass a bill to make more favourable campaign conditions for himself. Sigh. We also talk racism in the OPS, Maxine Bernier, floor crossings, and more. Big week. Big pod. 

We talk about the pending cabinet shuffle, Doug Ford's negotiations over school closures with a child, pride, and so much more. 

Garima, Sam, Chris, and Alvin talk about the horrendous truth Canadians were faced with, as 215 dead children were found at a residential school in British Columbia, and what more we need to do. A new Chief Medical Officer of Health and Secretary of Cabinet are also discussed, bum seem and are less important. 

Good Bill/Bad Bill/Sketchy Bill returns, as we wrap up all the pending legislation in the Ontario legislature before the session ends for the summer. We also talk about the province's reopening plan, and the PEQAB rejection of Charles McVety's Canada Christian College. 

Doug Ford's Premier's Office considers a bold new leadership strategy involving... keeping Doug Ford away from the spotlight. Is this smart politics? We dive into this, the recent pandemic decisions, and the auditor general report on $4.4B in COVID initiatives given the full auditor treatment. 

This week we talk the province's new vaccine plans, paid sick days, and what the long-term care commission had to say about the Ontario government's handling of the long-term care sector, and why we saw the disaster we saw. 

It's been a week of tears, frustration, agony, and many now capitulation on paid sick days? But probably not. Karim Bardeesy joins to talk about whot he conservatives could implement paid sick days while keeping their principles in tact. We talk about pandemic recovery & how the feds are thinking about it. 

Folks, friends, we always tell you the truth. We always make the tough decisions. And today is no different. Chris, Alvin, Garima and Sam talk to you about the total catastrophe that is the Ford government's management of COVID-19 as Ontario is set to see cases exceed 10,000 per day. Oh - also an amazing federal budget was released. We talk about that too.

The engine light was on for miles before this, but Doug Ford kept driving that car. With the wheels now falling off the car completely, we are living through a very frightening time. We reflect on that, while looking ahead to what the NDP and the Liberal Party of Canada have to say about the kinds of policies progressives can look forward to if they form government. 

We talk about the necessary, but late and incoherent announcement of another provincewide shutdown to deal with rising COVID-19 cases, the province's relationships with developers and how that might be informing it's advocacy over the 413, and the vaccine plant coming to Toronto just in time for the next pandemic. 

Despite unprecedented challenges facing the province, Ontario announces a budget that puts our money into... underwhelming healthcare investments and reducing the deficit. While COVID case counts rise, the Premier's Office is embroiled in a scandal everyone knew about where the Premier's Press Sec is dating a QP Gallery member. Sigh. 

We discuss the various impacts that Amazon is having in Ontario Politics currently, from almost destroying but then saving a protected wetland in Pickering, to giving a bunch of workers in Brampton COVID. We also discuss the Premier's racist remarks in the legislature. 

The crew covers the FAO's report on affordable housing and homelessness, revelations from the long-term-care commission that Minister Merilee Fullerton recommended moving faster than the government was willing to in long-term-care homes, vaccines, and an interview with Miles Corak on EI. 

Chris, Alvin, Garima and Sam talk about the Ford government's changes to elections and campaign finance, the secret deal to sell a downtown property over the wishes of the community, and a report on how social assistance administration will change. NDP MP Candidate Brian Chang joins to talk campaigning during the pandemic. 

Chris, Alvin, and Sam dive through all the pre-budget legislation on-tap for Spring 2020. From privatization, to paid sick days, to porch pirates and cat-declawing - it's an electic one. Ontario Tech University's Dr. Barbara Perry joins us to talk about the reach of the far right in Ontario. 

Sam talks to Gayle Nathanson of the Coalition to End Online Hate. Garima, Chris and Sam talk love, romance, upsetting COVID modelling and governance, Ontario's economic outlook, and a quick interlude about Phoebe Bridgers (letting Chris write these may be a mistake). 

We talk about the shocking insolvency of Laurentian University with Higher Education expert Alex Usher, the COVID-19 reopening, the government’s continued fumbling of the autism file, and and we dive into what is try, and not true, about how much money the province has left. Big pod for a big week.

January 2021 continues forever with an exhausting COVID response from the Ford government, attacks on medical experts like Dr. David Fisman, but also some genuinely good news related to sexual assault and violence regulations pertaining to universities and colleges. Garima interviews the Broadbent Institute's Brittany Andrew-Amofah on the importance of paid sick leave. 

Garima, Sam, Chris and Alvin dive back into our government's dismal handling of the pandemic over the last several weeks, the firing of Rod Phillips from Cabinet, the vaccine distribution, predictions for 2021 and so much more. 

Alexi, Sam, Garima, and Chris talk about the year that has been, good things that have happened, the most worrying of the bad things, over and under-reported stories - and we say goodbye to a friend. 

There's finally light at the end of the tunnel with a new climate change plan, and a vaccine rolling out in Ontario. We also dive into the FAO report on the Ford government's slow pace of pandemic spending, and their weird private paid testing system. 

Alvin, Alexi and Chris talk about Doug Ford's slipping poll numbers, the slipping economy, mass resignations on the Greenbelt Council, and problematic findings of the Long-Term Care Commission. Is the Honeymoon with Doug Ford, that we went on two years into our marriage, over?!

Alexi, Alvin, Chris and Sam talk about the wild week in Ontario Politics that we just had, including the government's response to the AG report on COVID, UberEats charges, performance based funding in higher education, and even some Charles McVety talk! Kory Preston joins to talk to us about the Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing. 

Trapped in our homes once again, Alexi, Sam, and Chris reflect briefly on the lockdown and Mister Lecce's semi-public musing about temporarily closing schools. Later, they DIVE into Dive student aid - a story about the transformation of OSAP that Sam helped to create starring Deb Matthews, Sheldon Levy, Kathleen Wynne, Alex Usher, and many, many more. 

Chris, Alvin, Alexi and Garima vent about the new provincial COVID modelling, try to take apart what it is that brought us to this point, and where we could go from here. MPP Lucille Collard joins the pod to talk about issues facing Eastern Ontario.  

This week we are back to reality! Julia Drydyk joins from the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking to talk about the effectiveness of the government's work on this important file. We also take you through the 2020 Ontario Budget, or Doug Ford's big expensive gift to big business. 

Your nerves are frayed. You're watching the hours tick by. You're refreshing 538 a few times an hour. It's a big day. So we're promising a light dive into the potential impacts of the election in Ontario, a reflection on how we can strengthen our democracy here at home, and a mini Ontario Loud book club sesh. 

Dr. Shiri Pasternak joins the pod to talk about the history and structures behind land theft from indigenous people in Ontario and across the country. Alexi, Alvin, and Chris talk about Doug Ford's seeming return to his old self, overturning municipal democracy, protecting big business, and rewarding social conservatives. 

Garima talks with Sané Dube and Dr. Arjumand Siddiqi about what looking at disaggregated data can tell us about how the COVID-19 pandemic is having an unequal impact across the province. We also talk about the NDP Long-Term-Care Plan, increasing hydro rates, and the projected Ontario deficit. 

Toronto, Peel, and Ottawa are back at home, Ford is re-tooling a Ford plant in Oakville, and Harman helps us reflect on the progress of the LGBTQ2S+ movement in Canada. CUPE Senior economist Angella McKewan joins Alvin to talk about what we need to think about when we talk about Basic Income. Big week. Big Pod. 

In this one, we talk to a Rhodes Scholar about long-term care. 2020 continues it's relentless beating of our collective sanity by revealing that Doug Ford's government was totally unprepared for the second wave all along, is implementing small administrative changes to social assistance, and spent about as much money as a Liberal government would have, to no political or social benefit. You want it darker? OK!

Ian and Scott from Politicoast join to talk about the "pandemic election fever" that seems to be sweeping the nation, to similar fanfare as the actual deadly fever sweeping the nation. Garima, Alvin, Chris and Alexi talk about the Throne Speech and the Ford government's COVID preparedness. 

Ontario Loud is back! This week, Queen's Park Today reporter Sabrina Nanji joins the pod to talk about how Ontario's parties are nominating candidates, and some rumblings about process in Toronto Centre. Chris, Sam, Alvin and talk about the Ford government's back to school strategy as COVID cases rise, as well as how the federal and provincial governments have shared the cost of the pandemic. 

Chris, Alvin, Alexi, Garima and Sam celebrate Ontario Loud's 100th episode - if you count bonus pods and the Star Trek one (yes we all have regrets) by answering listener questions from the mailbag. We talk electoral reform, secrets at Queen's Park, what makes good and bad politicians, and much more. 

Talia Bronstein from the Daily Bread Food Bank and Sasha McNicoll from Community Food Centres Canada join the pod to discuss how Canada's social safety net has left millions of Canadians in the position of not being able to afford food. 

Alexi, Garima, Alvin and Chris talk about the latest COVID-19 developments, the FAO autism report, the unexpected floor PC caucus ejection, and give our predictions on a potential cabinet shuffle.

Robin Edger from the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment joins the pod to talk about how Canada can bounce back from COVID-19 and tackle climate change at the same time. A Green recovery has been proposed by Joe Biden in the States, what would it mean in Canada?

Politics returns to it's normal patter as Doug Ford sets across the province, Trudeau's Ministers are hauled in front of ethics panels, and Ontario re-opens. But in all of that, lots of important issues and opportunities for transformative change are getting lost. 

Leadership consultant Christopher Zabeneh joins Alvin and Alexi to talk about how political parties elect leaders across Canada, their role in our public discourse, and what changes could make them more democratic. 

Garima, Sam, Chris and Alexi talk about legislative firehose the government is asking us to drink from right now, including massive changes to Education, the government's COVID response bill, potential evictions arising from Bill 148, and the Auditor General report correcting the record on the costs of irregular border crossing refugees. 

Stephanie Procyk from the United Way and Anjum Sultana from the YWCA join to talk about the evolving role of civil society organizations pre- and post COVID-19. What is their relationship with government; what should it be? 

Sam, Alexi and Chris talk through the week's news, from Stephen Lecce's new math curriculum, to the COVID-19 outbreaks in Windsor Essex migrant communities, to criticism of the federal government's partnership with WE to provide $900 million in volunteer opportunities. 

Kitchener Centre MPP Laura Mae Lindo joins the podcast to talk about the Ontario NDP policy paper on ending police violence, and how the previous government could have improved its approach to anti-racism policy. Episode prepared by Harman Mundi. 

As we celebrate Pride virtually this year, Sam reflects on issues facing the LGBTQ+ community in 2020 with advocates & activists Rachel Clark and Kevin Hurren - including the proposed conversion therapy ban, continued discrimination against trans people, and the issue of race and policing in pride. 

Sam, Garima, and Alvin dive into the latest on the pandemic, including the government's new contact tracing app, Alvin's family getting COVID-tested, the mandatory collection of race-based data, and the federal/provincial fight over paid sick leave. Also the Ford government's cuts to the Human Rights Tribunal.

Garima and Alexi dive into the under-discussed and pervasive issue of intimate partner violence during the COVID-19 pandemic with Vivian Green of the Counterpoint counselling and education co-operative, and Lieran Docherty of WomenACT. 

Garima, Alexi, Sam and Chris talk about ways in which we're trying to support anti-racism efforts in our communities, Doug Ford's announcement that Ontario will be moving to Stage 2 of re-opening, and the harmful federal bill aimed at CERB fraud. 

Former MPP for Sudbury and Minister of Energy @GlennThibeault joins to talk about life, politics, and issues facing Northern Ontario in 2020. We also ask some of our burning Energy policy questions. 

MPP Michael Coteau joins Alvin and Alexi to talk about the Ford government's response to the events of the last week, Doug Ford's attitude towards approaches to racism, and how anti-racist institutions and police oversight measures have been cut. 

Even before COVID-19, Ontario's health system faced major strain issues and long wait times for patients in need of care. Former Deputy Minister of Health Bob Bell, and Long-Term-Care nurse Tyler Watt join to talk about why that exists, what what must be done to address it. 

Chris, Alvin, Garima and Sam talk about the news this week, from the gut-wrenching Canadian Forces report on conditions in Ontario's Long Term Care sector, to our greenhouse gas emissions increasing - it's been a week. Chris finds out through a convoluted process that he does not have COVID!

Author and professor Shirley Tillotson sits down with Alexi to talk about her book, Give and Take: a wildly interesting dive into how taxation has been shaped by politics over time, and vice versa. Think taxes are boring? Think again. 

Sam, Alvin, Alexi and Chris talk about this week's updates in the world of COVID-19, including Doug Ford "calling out" greedy landlords, the cancellation of the school year, the government's very easy simple reopening plan. 

Garima and Chris sit down with former Ontario Ministry of Finance Policy Director Alex Mazer to talk about what employers can do to ensure their employees don't lose access to a retirement safe from poverty, and enhance retirement security in Ontario moving forward.  

Alexi, Sam, Chris and Alvin talk about a potential inquiry into Long Term Care, the federal ban on assault rifles, Doug Ford's struggles with obeying his own emergency order, his cheesecake, and Stephen Lecce's messages to teens about prom. 

Ontario Loud's book club continues with Political Scientist and author David Moscrop joins the pod to talk about his book "Too Dumb for Democracy? Why we make bad political decisions, and how we can make better ones" - which goes over some of the most important problems facing contemporary democracy, and gives us some helpful tools to avoid the fates of all the other democracies that fell before us. 

Chris, Garima, Sam and Alvin talk through the week's news - from Conservative leader Andrew Scheer worrying that Canadians may choose the CERB over going back to dangerous low-wage jobs, to Doug Ford lambasting public health officials for slow rates of testing that might be his fault, to a eulogy to Ontario's former license plates, this is a packed one. 

London Deputy Mayor Jesse Helmer joins the pod to talk about politics in the City of London and Ontario's South-West. What is working? What isn't? And how can progressives win and govern successfully in a region that is as diverse as they come. 

Doug Ford announced a road map to re-open Ontario, and continuing that Ontario spirit we've all come to be so familiar with these last few weeks... the opposition trashed it. Alexi, Alvin and Chris walk you through the plan and the NDP and Liberal responses.

Former Wynne policy chief Karim Bardeesy and economist and Atkinson Foundation Fellow Armine Yalnizyan join Alexi and Garima to talk about how the Trudeau and Ford governments are doing in propping up the economy now that we're more than a month into COVID-19. 

OECTA President Liz Stuart joins Ontario Loud to talk about the deal that the teachers unions have struck with Minister Stephen Lecce - the highlights, lowlights, and what the dynamic at the table was like. We also talk online learning, and how teachers are adjusting. 

Alvin and Chris sit down with Mike Schreiner, leader of the Green Party of Ontario and MPP for Guelph, to talk about what working in the legislature has been like during the pandemic. How are the opposition parties working (and not working) together to push the Ford government on important issues? Find out. 

Ontario Loud is starting a book club and YOU. ARE. INVITED. Alexi White sits down with Professor Donald J Savoie from the University of Moncton to talk about his 2019 book "Democracy in Canada: The Disintegration of our Institutions." Dr. Savoie is a Canada Research Chair in Public Administration, so if he thinks there's trouble, we should probably pay attention.  

While it may seem like a distant memory, teachers were on strike in early 2020, and have now reached tentative deals with the province on provisions of their central contracts. We also talk with Dr. Casey Park about how Toronto's healthcare system is dealing with COVID. 

Legendary political strategist and former Senator Hugh Segal joins Alvin and Chris to talk about how he, as a young conservative, came to support and champion the idea of a basic income for all Ontario - eventually helping the Ontario Liberals design their pilot, and endorsing Alvin for leadership of the party. 

A few weeks ago it seemed like new Ontario Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca was going to start building an election movement against a deeply unpopular premier. The sands have shifted a bit, with a government most people approve of right now. What does the current environment mean for the opposition? 

As it changes our daily lives, COVID-19 is already changing our politics. Abacus Data CEO David Coletto joins the pod to talk about how the crisis is affecting Doug Ford's poll numbers, what the mood of the electorate is, and what room to move opposition parties have. 

Former Attorney General of Ontario Chris Bentley joins Ontario Loud to talk about the Ford government's changes to the legal system, cuts to Legal Aid, and why it is that justice is so hard to access in this province. 

Chris sits down (virtually) with Dr. Casey Park, a critical care physician at Toronto General Hospital to check in on how preparations for the expected influx of COVID-19 patients is going. How prepared is Ontario for the pandemic, what is he worried about, and how supported do frontline healthcare professionals feel right now? 

What a difference a week can make. Last week we were three guys, now we're three guys + Garima Talwar Kapoor in the middle of a public health crisis! We talk COVID-19, Steven Del Duca's win, Ford's communications issues with Rape Crisis Centres, and all the money we spend on tax cuts that go to rich people. 

Chris, Sam, and Alexi discuss the Wet'suwet'en protests and associated blockades, and the impact they have had on our country, Doug Ford's continued difficulties creating a working license plate, and Canada's falling poverty rate! A packed episode for you. Listen in!

The Ford government is quietly pursuing a substantial overhaul of Ontario Works - Ontario's primary support mechanism for those who are deemed able to work but are not employed. The system has been broken for years, but Ford has a plan to change it. Will it be a good plan? Garima Talwar Kapoor joins to talk to us about what the future of OW looks like in the province. 

Chris, Sam and Alexi go through the news, diving into the latest in Ontario's teacher strikes, Ontario's looming power shortages, the Ontario Liberal leadership race, and what the Financial Accountability Office says about Ontario's economy. 

OREA CEO and former Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak joins Sam and Chris to talk about OREA's housing supply action plan - a series of measures put forward to address housing supply in the province - a key contributor to unaffordable housing. Tim also makes fun of Chris' name and Chris & Sam's Beards. 

In the last of our leadership interviews, Chris sits down with MPP Michael Coteau to talk about his campaign for leader, polarization in our politics, why he picked such a specific climate change plan, and building a government that looks beyond the next election.  

Sam and Chris complete candidate interview 5 of 6, sitting down with Ottawa Lawyer and Ontario Liberal leadership contender Brenda Hollingsworth. We talk skilled trades, healthcare, and taking on some big names in Liberal politics. 

Chris and Alexi sit down with Ontario Liberal Party leadership candidate Steven Del Duca to talk about the politics of pragmatism, winning elections, economic dignity, and how he thinks he will match up with Doug Ford. 

Sam, Chris, Alexi and Kate look back on 2019 and discuss what was to love (sorta), what worried us (lots), and what we thought was over-reported and under-reported in the news. We also bid adieu to Kate Hammer as she steps back from the pod, but send her off in style. 

Sam and Chris sit down with veteran political operative Pat Sorbara to talk about her life in politics, where the Wynne government went wrong, the Ontario Liberal Leadership race, and her thoughts on whether the Ford government can recover from its..... less than ideal poll numbers. 

Chris, Sam and Alexi discuss the current state of Ontario's education labour negotiations, the Ontario Liberal Leadership race, and the recent Auditor General's report that found Ontario will not meet its climate change goals. 

Alexi and Chris sit down with Alyssa Brierley from the Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation to talk about all things affordable housing. Specifically, what should governments be doing if they wanted to start from the premise of "Housing as a Human Right"

Chris and Sam sit down with former Minister of Education and Ontario Liberal leadership hopeful Mitzie Hunter to talk about her plans for education, helping youth succeed, and to pick her brain about what the Ford government should be doing about teacher negotiations. You don't want to miss this one. 

Chris and Alexi talk about who is up and who is down in the Ontario Liberal fundraising and endorsement game, as well as dive into the many, but largely bland and uninteresting pages of the Ford government's 2019 Fall Economic Statement. 

Chris sits down with Ontario Liberal Leadership candidate Kate Graham to talk about her vision for a government focused on well-being, and how that means using the gas tax to build green transit all over Ontario. 

Chris, Sam, and Alexi check in on the Ontario Liberal leadership race, what the process has been like so far, and how the campaigns are doing. How will the party pick its leader? What are the implications of a December cut-off for signing up new members? What our initial takes on all the campaigns? Tune in. 

With the federal election over, Ontarians are seeing a familiar face in the news again: Premier Doug Ford. He's out of hiding, with a new, friendly tone, he still hates the carbon tax, but he wants you to be able to drink outside with your dog. We also talk western alienation and the role Doug Ford could play in national unity. 

Alexi, Kate, Sam, Harman and Chris take in the results on Election night, talk about how we got here, and what the coalition strategy could be. What went right for the liberals, wrong for the NDP and Conservatives? Why did CBC have 1000 people on their results panel? Find out. 

Chris sits down with Arnold Blackstar, Executive Director of the National Indian Brotherhood Trust Fund, to talk about the current federal government's record on First Nations, Indigenous, Metis and Inuit Policy. Listen to this one: the future of Canada-Indigenous Relations hangs in the balance in this election. 

Chris sits down with autism activists Bruce McIntosh, Leah Kocmarek and Jaime Santana to discuss the current state of Autism policy in Ontario. While Doug Ford's PCs claim to have cleaned up the mess made by Minister Lisa MacLeod, many parents are unsure of what the future holds, and services are closing around the province. 

Chris and Sam sit down with Sam Jeffers, experienced digital organizer/researcher and founder of "Who Targets Me?" - an app that lets you know how you're being targeted in this federal election. Alexi and Chris sift through the news, including the impact of PMJTs brownface scandal on the polls. It's a packed one folks!

Alexi, Kate, Chris, Sam and Aysha Anwar discuss the state of Canada's 43rd general election, and dive into the personal and political implications of the PM's brownface photos. Alexi also tells us a tale about how a conservative Ontario premier pretended the deficit was going to be $15B, and then it was actually pretty close to what the Liberals said it would be. 

Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation President Harvey Bischof joins the pod to talk about his experiences with Minister Stephen Lecce and the Ford government. Kate, Sam, Alexi and Chris talk Education, Children and Youth Service reviews, and Doug Ford's cuts to municipal governments. 

Ontario Loud kicks off election season by teaming up with Femme Wonk's Katie Davey and Dr. Kate Graham, host of the No Second Chances podcast, to tackle the roses and thorns of the federal government's record on feminism and gender equality. Also, one Kate in this group has joined the Ontario Liberal leadership race. This is a big one. 

Ontario Loud's August break is coming to a close, and we are really excited to be coming back NEXT WEEK. Listen in for a brief overview of what you can expect from our upcoming season, as well as a one-time-only science fiction nerd-out about the new Star Trek Picard trailer. 

In our first talk with an OLP leadership candidate, Alvin Tedjo comes back to the Ontario Loud family for a deep dive on universal childcare. What impact will it have on the economy, childhood development, and the Ontario Political landscape? Find out why Alvin is so passionate about it, and why he hopes this idea will help define his candidacy.