Ontario News Watch

	Kathleen Wynne concerned by strained relationship with Rob Ford Premier Kathleen Wynne has not spoken to Toronto Mayor Rob Ford since his crack video scandal erupted last month and she is worried about strained relations between the province and the city.
Globe and Mail: Wynne extends olive branch to Ford Toronto Star: Rob Ford’s alleged attacker will contest the charges, says lawyer

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

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The ONW Insiders: Who'll Be In The New Wynne Cabinet?

What factors will go into Kathleen Wynne's thinking as she puts together her new cabinet, and who'll be sworn in next Monday? Hershell Ezrin, Jeff Bangs and Sheila White opine.

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June 18, 2013

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June 18, 2013

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June 18, 2013

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.

June 11, 2013

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.

June 06, 2013

Thought Provoker: David Tsubouchi

The Senate expenses issue is taking up far too much time, says the former PC cabinet minister. Fix it and move on, because there's important work to be done - like getting the economy on track.

June 06, 2013

The Salon: Rick Anderson, Anne McGrath and Richard Mahoney

The Senate scandal: Can new proposals to audit all Senators' expenses restore faith in the institution? And the union spending bill: dead, or just about to be resurrected?

June 05, 2013

Thought Provoker: Bob Richardson

Between Ottawa's senate spending scandal and the alleged Rob Ford crack cocaine video, it's easy to get cynical about government. But the Liberal advisor has few examples to refute that.

June 05, 2013

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

June 03, 2013

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.

May 30, 2013

Thought Provoker: Paul Ferreira

The Liberals have survived a Premier's resignation, a leadership campaign and two minority budgets. But raising $32 billion to fight gridlock just may be their undoing, says the former NDP MPP.

May 30, 2013

The Salon: Rick Anderson, Anne McGrath and Richard Mahoney

There are no winners in the Rob Ford alleged cocaine video controversy. And, what the robocall court decision says about our voting system, the CPC and Elections Canada.

May 29, 2013

VIEW ALL onw NEWS

Blizzard: Discussion of end-of-life decisions unavoidable, Wynne says
Premier Kathleen Wynne says we need to have a chat about "end-of-life" decisions -- such as the euthanasia debate Quebec Premier Pauline Marois ignited in her province recently.
Blatchford: 99 ways to shred your credibility
There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, as per the singer/songwriter Paul Simon and his 1975 song of the same name, but there are apparently at least 99 ways to leave your government job — and all of them have you merrily deleting and shredding as you go.
Walkom: Russia wins on Syria at G8 summit, while Stephen Harper scores on tax
A lot of ink has been spilled on the just-completed G8 summit in Northern Ireland. As far as I can figure out, here’s what happened.
Ivison: Parliament divided and angry as Harper returns without coveted EU trade deal
Maybe we all need a bit of County Fermanagh in our life. The verdant nature of the Lough Erne resort seems to have made everything possible.
Den Tandt: Trudeau is playing to the bleachers, beyond the Bubble — as Tories once did
Justin Trudeau has been overshadowed by Tom Mulcair in question period. He’s been out-muscled on Senate abolition. And now he’s been shamed into repaying, or offering to repay, $277,000 in speaking fees.
MacDonald: Where Trudeau went wrong
Even though Justin Trudeau voluntarily disclosed his outside income from speaking fees four months ago, there was a sense then that the story would come back to bite him.

McGONE
One of the few MPPs who wasn’t in the House for Tuesday’s Budget vote won’t get another chance, as former Premier Dalton McGuinty confirmed the next day that he is done with politics, resigning his Ottawa South seat.

coming soon

$Queen\'s Park Corner$

	Most groups don't want return of Trudeau speaking fees Most of the 17 charitable and other organizations that have paid speaking fees to Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau during his time as an MP say they aren't interested in having their fees returned, despite Trudeau's offer on the weekend to reimburse any organization unhappy with his services.
CBC: Grace Foundation dodges Trudeau questions canada.com: Stephen Harper dodges question on why his office spearheaded attacks on Justin Trudeau Ottawa Citizen: Tory Senators Demers, Smith, both do paid speaking engagements

Ontario premier defends pay hike to public elementary teachers
Premier Kathleen Wynne is defending a 2% pay hike to Ontario's public elementary teachers, arguing they've "paid their dues" for their union's refusal to play ball in the last round of negotiations.

Top 10 worst roads in Ontario
The Canadian Automobile Association on Tuesday released its annual list of the 10 most difficult roads to drive in Ontario.

Munro, Savoie win Ontario's Trillium Book Awards
Alice Munro has won this year's Trillium Book Award in English-language for "Dear Life: Stories," a collection of tales set in the countryside and towns around Lake Huron.

MPs pass NDP motion on expenses, adjourn for summer
One week after defeating Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau's attempt to open MPs' expenses to public scrutiny, the NDP has won approval for a proposal of its own.

House committee to decide fate of two Tory MPs
Commons Speaker Andrew Scheer has handed a House committee the tricky question of whether two Tory MPs should be suspended over doubtful campaign spending.

Senate scandal taking toll on Harper image, poll suggests

Tory MP Adams ticketed by RCMP for failing to come to complete stop on Parliament Hill
A well-placed source on the Hill told The Hill Times earlier Tuesday Ms. Adams (Brampton South-Mississauga, Ont.) was ticketed for using a cell phone while driving through the security stop.

Harper Ends Trip Unable to Win Canada-EU Trade Deal
Prime Minister Stephen Harper concludes his eight-day European trip unable to complete a trade agreement with the European Union, just as the opening of EU-U.S. talks raises the risk that Canada will be left out.

Tories stumble and bumble without Nigel Wright
Exactly one month since Prime Minister Stephen Harper was forced to accept the resignation of his chief of staff in the Senate expenses scandal, the effects of Nigel Wright’s loss are becoming evident within the Conservative government.

Half of First Nations kids living in poverty: study
Half of Canada's First Nations children are living in poverty, triple the national average, according to a new analysis of census statistics that pegs the cost of easing the problem at $580-million a year.

Senate cancels motivational speakers hired in midst of spending scandal
The Senate will no longer hear from two speakers Wednesday who were scheduled to help denizens of the maligned upper chamber “feel better about themselves.”

Somali community claims police brutality in Dixon raids
Outraged Somali-Canadian community members are accusing Toronto police and tactical squads of racial profiling and unnecessary abuse of innocent residents during last week's Project Traveller raids in the city's west end.

CAW hopes new deal with GM will help extend Oshawa plant’s run
The Canadian Auto Workers union is hoping a new deal cut with General Motors Canada will help stave off the closure of a storied Oshawa plant that’s been at the economic centre of the country’s Motor City for decades.

Thunder Bay firm set to 'take orders' from aerospace industry
A small Thunder Bay company is looking to make a big mark in the aerospace industry, thanks to some help from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.

Transport Canada orders 8 Ontario wind turbines removed
Transport Canada has ordered the removal of eight wind turbines near the Chatham-Kent Municipal Airport in southwestern Ontario because they exceed height restrictions for the area and could pose a risk to pilots.

Work continues on 'slam dunk' mall collapse lawsuit
The Elliot Lake Public Inquiry is taking a break, but work on a related law suit continues.

Kitchener looks to cut car use with transportation plan
Kitchener city council on Monday unanimously approved its first transportation master plan, a document that will guide transportation choices in the city through to 2031.