Toronto the Politics the Show

At 20 years old, Tom Cai is running for City Council in Toronto Centre.We talk about why he entered the race, his concerns about development and the loss of small businesses, Toronto’s condo market, vacant housing, property taxes and whether building more density is ultimately good for the city.Music by Zeyad Hamza: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/zeyadplaysguitar/⁠Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/ttptsChristopher's IG: instagram.com/ChristopherChiassonToronto the Politics the Show the Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/torontothepolitics.bsky.socialToronto the Politics the Show the IG: instagram.com/TorontoThePoliticsTheShowEmail: torontothepoliticstheshow@gmail.com

Josh Matlow, Councillor for Ward 12, Toronto - St Pauls, chats about why he wants to run for reelection, police spending, and Oliva Chow’s record. Music by Zeyad Music: https://www.instagram.com/zeyadplaysguitar/ Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/ttpts Christopher's IG: instagram.com/ChristopherChiasson Toronto the Politics the Show the Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/torontothepolitics.bsky.social Toronto the Politics the Show the IG: instagram.com/TorontoThePoliticsTheShow Email: torontothepoliticstheshow@gmail.com

Gord Perks, Councillor for Ward 4 Parkdale - Highpark, joins the show to discuss what he’s learned from 20 years of City Council, how it’s becoming harder for local politicians to serve their constituents, and why capitalism is trash. Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/ttpts Christopher's IG: instagram.com/ChristopherChiasson Toronto the Politics the Show the Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/torontothepolitics.bsky.social Toronto the Politics the Show the IG: instagram.com/TorontoThePoliticsTheShow Email: torontothepoliticstheshow@gmail.com

Mike Layton, candidate for Ward 11 University-Rosedale, joins the show to discuss his return to municipal politics, what's changed in the last 4 years, and what it would be like to work alongside his step-mother (aka the Mayor). To watch this episode: https://youtu.be/lkFwev4CvMk Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/ttpts Christopher's IG: instagram.com/ChristopherChiasson Toronto the Politics the Show the Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/torontothepolitics.bsky.social Toronto the Politics the Show the IG: instagram.com/TorontoThePoliticsTheShow Email: torontothepoliticstheshow@gmail.com

Local politics creators, Troy Pavlek and Patty Wiens, of Edmonton and Winnipeg respectively, join the Show to discuss their city’s bike lanes, the state of local news, and whether Chris will ever move out of his Mom’s basement. To watch this episode: https://youtu.be/FPWCsC4qvLM Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/ttpts Christopher's IG: instagram.com/ChristopherChiasson Toronto the Politics the Show the Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/torontothepolitics.bsky.social Toronto the Politics the Show the IG: instagram.com/TorontoThePoliticsTheShow Email: torontothepoliticstheshow@gmail.com

San Grewal and Joel Wittnebel of The Pointer join me today to discuss Brampton politics, the failures of Patrick Brown's mayoralty, and how the lack of effective local news coverage means most Bramptonians don't know the half of it. The Pointer: www.thepointer.com Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/ttptsChristopher's IG: instagram.com/ChristopherChiassonToronto the Politics the Show the Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/torontothepolitics.bsky.socialToronto the Politics the Show the IG: instagram.com/TorontoThePoliticsTheShowEmail: torontothepoliticstheshow@gmail.com

Diana Yoon, city councilor candidate for Ward 11 - University Rosedale, joins the show to discuss her plans for building more housing, the ineffectiveness of mandatory treatment, and the effectiveness of Chris’ phone camera. More about Diana's campaign: https://www.voteyoon.ca/ Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/ttpts Christopher's IG: instagram.com/ChristopherChiasson Toronto the Politics the Show the Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/torontothepolitics.bsky.social Toronto the Politics the Show the IG: instagram.com/TorontoThePoliticsTheShow Email: torontothepoliticstheshow@gmail.com

Mike Schreiner, Leader of the Ontario Green Party, joins the show to discuss Doug Ford's continued meddling in municipal affairs, how left leaning parties should work together during elections, and whether the Kawai Leonard trade to the Raptors will go through. Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/ttpts Christopher's IG: instagram.com/ChristopherChiasson Toronto the Politics the Show the Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/torontothepolitics.bsky.social Toronto the Politics the Show the IG: instagram.com/TorontoThePoliticsTheShow Email: torontothepoliticstheshow@gmail.com

Marit Stiles, Leader of the Ontario NDP, joins the show to discuss Doug Ford's response to the trade war, his dismantling of transparency laws, and the NDP's alternative vision for Ontario. To watch this episode: https://youtu.be/LQZnvqPO54E Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/ttpts Christopher's IG: instagram.com/ChristopherChiasson Toronto the Politics the Show the Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/torontothepolitics.bsky.social Toronto the Politics the Show the IG: instagram.com/TorontoThePoliticsTheShow Email: torontothepoliticstheshow@gmail.com

Avi Lewis, Leader of the NDP of Canada, joins the show to discuss Canada’s accelerating trade war with the United States, his plan to lead the NDP to victory, and the effectiveness of Chris’s camera setup. To watch this episode: https://youtu.be/_WQa5EWsiLc Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/ttpts Christopher's IG: instagram.com/ChristopherChiasson Toronto the Politics the Show the Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/torontothepolitics.bsky.social Toronto the Politics the Show the IG: instagram.com/TorontoThePoliticsTheShow Email: torontothepoliticstheshow@gmail.com

Michael Longfield, Executive Director of Cycle Toronto, and Dave Shellnutt of The Biking Lawyer LLP join me today to discuss the Ontario court's decision that Doug Ford can rip out bike lanes in Toronto, and the devastating effect that that action would have on Torontonians. Cycle Toronto: https://www.cycleto.ca The Biking Lawyer: https://www.thebikinglawyer.ca/ Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/ttpts Christopher's IG: instagram.com/ChristopherChiasson Toronto the Politics the Show the Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/torontothepolitics.bsky.social Toronto the Politics the Show the IG: instagram.com/TorontoThePoliticsTheShow Email: torontothepoliticstheshow@gmail.com

Shannon Devine, NDP candidate for Beaches-East York in the upcoming federal by-election (Monday, August 31 2026), discusses what's different with Avi Lewis as leader, how her labour organizing experience has prepared her for parliament, and whether Chris making Studio Ghibli style cartoons with AI is worth environmental collapse. Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/ttpts Christopher's IG: instagram.com/ChristopherChiasson Toronto the Politics the Show the Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/torontothepolitics.bsky.social Toronto the Politics the Show the IG: instagram.com/TorontoThePoliticsTheShow Email: torontothepoliticstheshow@gmail.com

Councillor Candidate for Ward 1 - Etobicoke North, Chloe Brown, joins the show today to discuss city-owned grocery stores, her 2022 mayoral campaign, and how to bring vibrancy back to Etobicoke after years of neglect. More info about Chloe's campaign: https://www.cb4ward1.ca/ Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/ttpts Christopher's IG: instagram.com/ChristopherChiasson Toronto the Politics the Show the Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/torontothepolitics.bsky.social Toronto the Politics the Show the IG: instagram.com/TorontoThePoliticsTheShow Email: torontothepoliticstheshow@gmail.com

In part 2 of this week's panel, MPP Stephanie Smyth briefly shares her endorsement of Brad Bradford resulting in Chris having an on-air ethical crisis about how to handle the rest of the show. Dan's writing and other links: https://www.anotherglassbox.com/ The Green Line: https://thegreenline.to/ Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/ttpts Christopher's IG: instagram.com/ChristopherChiasson Toronto the Politics the Show the Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/torontothepolitics.bsky.social Toronto the Politics the Show the IG: instagram.com/TorontoThePoliticsTheShow Email: torontothepoliticstheshow@gmail.com

Toronto - St Paul's MPP and OLP Ethics and Integrity Critic Stephanie Smyth joins the show to discuss the breaking news that Progressive Conservatives spent party money (which is publicly reimbursed) to send individuals to monitor Bonnie Crombie while she was on vacation in Jamaica. This is the first part of this week's panel discussion. Check back in tomorrow (Saturday Aug 15) for the rest of the conversation that will include a discussion of Brad Bradford's announcement that he will rip out Bloor West bike lanes and a FIFA World Cup post-mortem. Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/ttpts Christopher's IG: instagram.com/ChristopherChiasson Toronto the Politics the Show the Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/torontothepolitics.bsky.social Toronto the Politics the Show the IG: instagram.com/TorontoThePoliticsTheShow Email: torontothepoliticstheshow@gmail.com

Bruno and Sharlene of the Toronto Tenant Union join me today to share their skepticism of Carney's recent housing announcement in Toronto and how it might be time for you to organize a rent strike in your building. Toronto Tenant Union Website: https://www.tenantunion.ca/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tenantsunionto Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tenantsunionto Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/ttpts Christopher's IG: instagram.com/ChristopherChiasson Toronto the Politics the Show the Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/torontothepolitics.bsky.social Toronto the Politics the Show the IG: instagram.com/TorontoThePoliticsTheShow Email: torontothepoliticstheshow@gmail.com

If you'd like to support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/ttpts (But no stress if you don't want to. )

Councillor Candidate for Ward 13, University - Rosedale, Gabe Blanc, joins the show today to chat about why he believes he's the man for the job. Gabe's Website: https://gabeforunirose.ca/ Christopher's IG: instagram.com/ChristopherChiasson Toronto the Politics the Show the Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/torontothepolitics.bsky.social Toronto the Politics the Show the IG: instagram.com/TorontoThePoliticsTheShow Email: torontothepoliticstheshow@gmail.com (Recorded July 26 2026) _____ Toronto the Politics the Show is a thrice weekly show covering the news and politics of the greatest city on earth, Toronto. Hosted and Produced by Christopher Chiasson.

Matt Elliott (City Hall Watcher) and Sabrina Nanji (Queen's Park Observer) join Chris today to round up all the news happening at Queen's Park and City Hall. Has Billy Bishop airport disrupted Doug Ford and Mark Carney's Bromance? Did Chris Alexander join the mayoral race just to squash Brad Bradford's mayoral dreams? Does Christopher Chiasson have what it takes to be an independent media publisher? All that and more on today's episode of Toronto the Politics the Show! City Hall Watcher: https://cityhallwatcher.com/ Matt Elliott on Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/graphicmatt.com Queen's Park Observer: https://www.qpobserver.ca/ Christopher's IG: instagram.com/ChristopherChiasson Toronto the Politics the Show the Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/torontothepolitics.bsky.social Toronto the Politics the Show the IG: instagram.com/TorontoThePoliticsTheShow Email: torontothepoliticstheshow@gmail.com (Recorded Aug 6 2026) _____ Toronto the Politics the Show is a thrice weekly show covering the news and politics of the greatest city on earth, Toronto. Hosted and Produced by Christopher Chiasson.

Councillor Candidate for Ward 19 Beaches - East York Jennie Worden shares her vision for Toronto based in "radical empathy" . You'll notice that this is the longest episode of Toronto the Politics the Show so far. It's because Jennie had so many interesting things that I saw no need to wrap up the conversation. CORRECTION: In this episode Christopher erroneously states that Brad Bradford received Progress Toronto's endorsement in 2018, this is incorrect. In 2018, Progress Toronto did not make any endorsements in the 2018 Beaches East - York City Councillor race. More info about Jennie's campaign: https://www.jennieworden.ca/ Jennie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyjennieworden/ Christopher's IG instagram.com/ChristopherChiasson Toronto the Politics the Show the Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/torontothepolitics.bsky.social Toronto the Politics the Show the IG: instagram.com/TorontoThePoliticsTheShow Email: torontothepoliticstheshow@gmail.com (Recorded Jul 23 2026) _____ Toronto the Politics the Show is a thrice weekly show covering the news and politics of the greatest city on earth, Toronto. Hosted and Produced by Christopher Chiasson.