Political Blind Date

After provincial funding cuts, the City of Toronto faces hard choices about how to manage its budget shortfall. Budget Chief Gary Crawford doesn't want to raise taxes or create new ones, and believes in finding efficiencies. City Councillor Shelley Carroll believes that new revenue tools are needed to pay for the city's growth, and takes Gary to New York City to examine how taxes saved that city.

Toronto City Councillors Jim Karygiannis and Anthony Peruzza debate the mass transit needs of Toronto's residents, from the Bloor-Danforth Subway Extension to the Finch West LRT, and the Province's new plan to expand the subway system.

City Councillors Ana Bailao and Stephen Holyday examine Toronto's housing crisis. From multi-residential and laneway housing to rapid densification, these two politicians hold very different views on how to house the city's exploding population.

With a steady decline in the number of farms in Ontario, Conservative MPP Randy Pettapiece and Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner look at how farmers are transforming their operations with technical innovations, and debate what role government should play in supporting large and small scale farms.With a steady decline in the number of farms in Ontario, Conservative MPP Randy Pettapiece and Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner look at how farmers are transforming their operations with technical innovations, and debate what role government should play in supporting large and small scale farms.

Cambridge Mayor Kathryn McGarry and Conservative MPP Donna Skelly have different views about how best to support advanced manufacturing and high tech innovation in Ontario's auto, aerospace and medical sectors. Is it through grants and incentives or cutting red tape for businesses?Cambridge Mayor Kathryn McGarry and Conservative MPP Donna Skelly have different views about how best to support advanced manufacturing and high tech innovation in Ontario's auto, aerospace and medical sectors. Is it through grants and incentives or cutting red tape for businesses?

Conservative MPP Bill Walker and NDP MPP Peter Tabuns examine the government's plans for hydro rates and energy policy in Ontario, debating the merits of retro-fitted energy-efficient homes, community wind turbines, and nuclear power. What is the province doing to ensure that Ontarians have access to cost effective and environmentally responsible energy?