The Ben Mulroney Show - Ontario MPP wonderland! Ontario Place and University news galore.

Episode Date: February 26, 2026

GUEST: Stan Cho / MPP for Willowdale Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Gaming GUEST:  MPP Nolan Quinn / Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security If you enjoyed the podcast, tell a friend! For more of the Ben Mulroney Show, subscribe to the podcast! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.chtbl.com/bms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Also, on youtube -- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BenMulroneyShow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Ben on Twitter/X at https://x.com/BenMulroney Insta: ⁠⁠⁠@benmulroneyshow⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠@benmulroneyshow⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠@benmulroneyshow⁠⁠⁠ Executive Producer:  Mike Drolet Reach out to Mike with story ideas or tips at [e-mail] Enjoy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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I'm very happy with the redevelopment of Ontario placement. I don't care if you disagree with me. It's my opinion. And here's why. You might call it a hot take. I've said this before. I personally don't believe that it is in the wheelhouse of government to run amusement parks. And we opened Ontario Place in 1971 the same year as they opened Walt Disney World.

And you can trace the ineptitude of how Ontario Place was run by how decrepit it got by the 90s. And then you look at what private industry did with Disney World. Okay. So that's my starting point. When I see all of these renderings of what has been derelict for so long and what is going to be a beautiful addition to the waterfront of this city, I'm excited. I'm absolutely excited, and I'm not going to apologize for that. To see what added to it, a billion dollar investment in a brand new Ontario Science Center,

that's even better. One more reason to go down there, like a tourism, cultural, educational component to what is already going to be an all-year destination. So please welcome to the show, the MPP for Willowdale, as well as the Minister of Tourism, culture and gaming. Stan Cho, Stan, welcome to the show. Thanks so much for having, Ben. I don't know if you or the Premier are more excited for this. I'm so glad to hear it. No, I listen. I'm watching what happened to that place and thinking that the government had

that big of a role to play in something that was essentially an amusement park. I also loved Stan, if I can say, people saying, oh, it's going to cost money. I don't remember a time where Ontario Place was free. You still have to buy tickets. So people are living in this reality that nobody ever shared with them. Talk to me, though. It was controversial, the closure of the Ontario Science Center. And now we're looking at a rebuild down at the waterfront. I think it's a great move.

It looks great. But I think a lot of people want to know when do we break ground and when are people going to be able to actually access the Science Center? Oh, man. I'm so excited. Ben, let me tell you. Grounds are already broken on Ontario Place. Oh, wow.

CD excavators. You can see all of the construction happening. It's very exciting. You can see it to start taking place. 50 acres of the public realm. You can see that really coming together. Now for the Science Center, man, is this ever going to be an amazing location for it? First of all, the state of the art building. You can see the renderings online. A very pont-a-parry architect, you know, the same people designed the Patterson Theater and the Stratford Festival, the people who are doing the McMichael Gallery. And this is on the most iconic waterfront in Canada. And you're right. This place has been shuttered for the better part of two decades, thinking literally into the lake, robbing an entire generation of the childhood memories I had going to Ontario Place and enjoying it with my family. That's no more. So the new home of the Science Center is not only prime time real estate.

I mean, this thing has transit access. The Ontario line has a station there, go line there, ample parking, and you're in the hub of it all, whether you're near the harbor front center, whether you want to take in a concert at the RBC stage that we're building, whether it's seeing a tempo game, an Argos game, a Scepter's game, it's all right here in this brand new hub. It's going to be world-class. It's what this city deserves. And it's going to be smaller, though.

From what I understand, in terms of square footage, it's not as big as the original Science Center. I have to believe that they're compensating for that by just having a more optimized floor space, like a layout. We've got to dig into that a little bit. Now, I'm a former card-carrying member of the Science Center I had in my adult years. If you ever attended that building, you'll remember how inefficient it was. Yeah, it was 500,000 square feet, but a lot of halls, a lot of big columns, a lot of separation, exhibits, a lot of office space, a lot of waste. So that 500,000 square foot facility is being replaced by a 400,000, essentially, footprint.

Now, and the exhibit space is essentially the same, at a direct exhibit space of 120,000, but we're bringing in those five outdoor pods, if you'll remember. Yeah. That's where the announcement was today. That's nearly 40,000 square feet, plus the synosphere is coming back. And what I'm most excited for, the building itself is 220,000 square feet. But you're bringing the outdoors in. This is on Lake Ontario.

There's an opportunity for four-season learning, for kids to learn inside and outside, and learning about nature, learning about science in a much more interactive, efficient way that makes more sense. The experience has to be good. That's why the private sector runs the amusement parks better than government, of course. They understand it's experience first. You have to think from the retail end. You know, the fact that it's right there on the water as well, that presents the opportunity to have floating exhibits.

You could literally, you could, people could have temporary exhibits for the science center that are put on, on a barge, right? And they could come in and out and you can, you could, it would be like modular expansion, bringing something in temporarily and moving it away. It could be quite an interesting aspect to the growth and the development of the science center. Absolutely. Absolutely. You've got the waterways right there at the foot of the Science Center, whether it's studying padpoles or frogs or how water freezes in the wintertime. There's a huge opportunity here. And it's just more of a, how do you say this, an inspirational environment in which people can learn and love science? This is the right thing to do. Has a decision been made about what to do with the old science center? Because there is a push by certain people to turn it into a park, something that's probably lacking in that area. town. Sure. I mean, all those discussions on the table, infrastructure, Ontario and the city of Toronto are having those discussions now. But the reality of 770 Don Mills Road, it had its time. It had

its heyday, and that building is falling apart. It's unfortunate, but we're going to find a better use for it. Consulting with the community, those discussions, as I said, are happening between the city and the agency now. But we're going to make sure it goes to the best possible use, especially now because the Ontario line has a stop right there. It's no longer a transit desert. And I'd like You know, we'll keep you up to date on what happens with those discussions. I'm very excited. Let's stand. What's going on down there, the people may not like it, but if you don't like it,

I mean, at least wait until it becomes a reality. Because I suspect there will be some converts once it ultimately up and running. The fact that I can go down there with my kids in the morning and we can essentially use a water park and then have lunch and then go to the science center. And then my sons can take the Ontario line and eventually make their way home. and I could go to a concert is something that currently does not exist. And the fact that it's happening down there in a place that needs that sort of attention. I mean, I don't see the downside.

And the amount of people who are raging against this redevelopment, I never understood. You nailed it. I have all the respect in the world for people who are passionate about something. But you're absolutely right in that they will be in line to attend this. This is what we're building here. And the story you just told is exactly why the premier division to do this. This is now a destination. Think about this waterfront, the most iconic waterfront in the entire country,

and this attraction, this golden area, this prime real estate, sinking into the lake for almost two decades, well, that's unacceptable. What we are building here is a story for families and people to enjoy. Like the story you just said, whether your kids are coming and they're younger like mine, and you want to play in the water park that we're building, that's an acre big, and then the parents want to go and have that show in the evening, or you want to take in an Argo's game, or you want to go to the end, X when it's on, it's all right there. And beyond the domestic visitor, this is going to drive

tourism, which is a $34 billion a year business in Ontario. Think of the international visitation, the conventions that we may have, and people are going to say, you know what, instead of the two nights, I was going to stay, I'm going to fly in my family, there's another five nights packed on, a lot of money for the local economy, a lot of jobs. This is good for everyone. And most of all, one day, 10 years from now, we'll look at the waterfront and think how proud we were that we made the decision to go ahead and build with this transformational attraction that is going to bring in people from all

over the world. Well, Stan, not for nothing, but I heard your boss, the Premier, also announced a massive plan to redevelop and expand the options in Niagara Falls. And that's great for Niagara Falls, but money and time are binary. And for all the dollars that people decide to spend there,

that's money and time that they won't be spending here. This gives Toronto a fighting chance for those tourism dollars and for those day trips. absolutely. Everyone has to up their game. We love it. Yeah, and to do, if everybody develops, that expands the pie for everybody. By the way, just for the record, I'm not, if people take an issue with what I'm saying,

I'm not carrying the water of this government. These are decisions, these are positions I've come up with on my own, and I just want to be very clear on that. If I'd had a problem with it, I would have told you about it, Stan. I appreciate that. I love the passion for this. I'm glad you brought Niagara Falls. The goal is a double visitation there.

We're talking of a big international tourism. This is the right thing to do, not just for ourselves here as citizens, but in the name of tourism and economic development also. Stan Cho, MPP for Willardale and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. Appreciate your time, sir. Talk to you soon. Pleasure to be here. Thanks, Beth. All right, from one minister to another. After the break, we're joined by Nolan Quinn,

the Minister of Colleges, University's Research, Excellence, and Security. We're talking about the changes to OSAP, the misrepresentations on social media, the good, the bad, and what you need to know if you've got a kid who's looking to go to college or university. Don't go anywhere. This is The Ben Mulroney Show. Well, welcome back to the Ben Mulroney Show.

You've heard me say before that I believe that government overuses the expression investments. Some things are just costs. But when it comes to education, it really is an investment. It's an investment in the future of the people who live here. And so how we go about investing in our colleges and universities, it takes a deft touch. And every now and then, you've got to tweak the system.

And the province is revamping how the Ontario student assistance program works, slashing the amount that eligible students can get in the form of grants. And to talk about this, because, you know, it feels like there are a lot of people out there who see red. And when they see red, their ears stop working and their brain stops working. We've got the minister in charge. Please welcome Nolan Quinn, the minister for colleges, universities, research excellence, and security. Welcome. Thanks for having me, Ben.

Okay, so is there misinformation out there? Are people not understanding what the government is doing with OSAP? Absolutely, there's information. There's this notion that we're cutting OSAP. OSAP will still be there. It's just going to be a different grant-to-loan ratio. We're expecting the students who invest in themselves. We're making a historic $6.4 billion investment,

the largest in Canadian history, into post-secondary. And we want to ensure that the students are making smart decisions and investing into their future careers. Okay, because this had to do with the, The misinformation has to do with the basket weaving, right? Well, the comment by Premier Doug Ford. By the way, I took his point. I didn't, some people can say it was inelegant.

It doesn't matter. I got the point. Like if we want people to be planning for the jobs of the future. Yeah, and I wouldn't necessarily say it was the Premier's comments. You know, to me, I agree. The students should be looking at labor market needs and ensuring that there is going to be a career after they finish their post-secondary.

I think the misinformation would be, you know, I've done tons of interviews. since we made that announcement, and the thing that comes out of every interview is how we're cutting OSAP. It's not about the historic investment. It's not about the 70,000 new seats we're bringing online and STEM,

health, human resources, and skilled trades. It is, the headline is we're cutting OSAP. And we are not cutting OSAP. OSAP will be there. It's an entitlement program, and it will be there for the students, but the ratio to grants and loans is changing. Okay, so what could that mean long-term for a student?

Because, as you said, it has to be a partnership between the, government that is offering certain pathways where money is, for all intents and purposes, for that student-free. But as you said, investing yourself and putting a financial commitment behind your education. Absolutely. So, you know, recognizing that the students aren't going to be investing into themselves, it's not as much free money. Let's be honest about this. And we want to ensure that because they have a little bit more investment into themselves and there is going to be a small amount of debt afterwards. We're hoping that they're going to be going into those labor market

decisions. And I think that's where you're going with the Premier's basket weaving comments. He's basically just suggesting to the students and the parents to make sure that they do their homework. And then once you graduate from college or university, there is going to be a job there for you. There's tons of labor market needs. And we have our priorities as a government, whether it's in STEM, skilled trades, health care, teaching. And we want to ensure that they're making those good decisions to ensure that there's a job behind it as well. Is there a way to incentivize students to go down those pathways that the government has identified as priorities? Well, recognizing that, you know, a good chunk of the historic $6.4 billion is $3.3 billion that we're going to do a change to weighted grant units.

So we heard from, you know, a lot of our institutions that they had some courses that they were, they're losing money on for domestic students. So we've increased the weighted grant units, which is very much getting into the weeds, but it's going to ensure that not only the parents, but the institutions will understand where we want them to be driving the students with some of the course offerings. But, you know, the hope will be is that the students

will take a pause and really look at where the labor market needs are. Last summer we introduced my career journey, and it's just to help students, to help guidance counselors, to help parents understand where they're going to end up afterwards and where the career opportunities are. It doesn't surprise me when politicians weaponize any decision from a government. I mean, that's their job, right, to take it and leverage it and turn it into something that they can criticize.

That's kind of their job. But I have to believe, I would have to pay more attention to the reaction from the leaders in the colleges and the universities. So what have they told you about this decision? They are ecstatic with this historic investment. You know, I've been meeting with them since and obviously had lots of conversations and consultations prior to the investment. They are happy to see stability to the sector. The federal government made significant amount of changes and it destabilized the sector. So now they have a path forward and it's going to be for the next four years. They truly understand where the government's support is. And, you know,

it's a 30% increase in operating funding from this year. It's going from a little bit over $5 billion to $7 billion annually. So they are very, very happy with what we've done. I'm talking with Nolan Quinn. He is the Minister of Colleges, University's Research, Excellence, and security. That's a mouthful, sir. It is, almost as long as my writing name. We're talking about the changes to OSAP and what they are and what they aren't. I want to take sort of a longer-term view. You know, I went to university as fortunate. Very fortunate to go to the university in the United States, and it's expensive. It's a very expensive proposition, and people are carrying around a mountain of debt for decades afterwards. And that cost is going up, right? That cost is

going up in some cases, you know, the parents and kids are left with, you know, possibly a million dollars U.S. in loans that they've got to take care of by the end. However, commensurate with that is a level of education in terms of the access to infrastructure and technologies and professors and opportunities that most university students around the world could only dream of. And I've often looked at the pace of tuition in the United States and the growth of tuition in Canada and asked myself, like at some point, are we going to be talking about completely different experiences? Like right now, the best universities in Canada can go toe to toe with the best universities anywhere. But if we don't recognize that there's a cost associated with that education,

and if we don't meet the moment with the cash required, then at some point the diploma from a great Canadian University and a diploma from a university, say, in the United States, they're not going to be valued the same way. They're not even going to be seen the same. Agreed. We do have world-class institutions, you know, just down the road from here, the University of Toronto. You know, we are, you know, it's one of the top-ranked universities in the world every year. Recognizing since we froze tuition and cut tuition in 2019, the sector has changed significantly because of some of the federal government's changes. But during that time, you know, we saw other jurisdictions, as you mentioned across Canada. The average tuition went up 18 to 41 percent in other

provinces across Canada. So we recognize we need stability, we need sustainability, and the sector has changed significantly. But, you know, that that phrase that we did is still going to save students today and tomorrow about $1,800 at the university side and $450 for college students. So those savings will be felt for the next generation of students as well. Okay, so let's assume that your government weather's the controversy or the criticism on this. What's next on, what's next that you have to tackle? I can't imagine that every problem in colleges and universities has been dealt with. So what's the next mountain for you to climb?

Well, recognizing, I think, you know, freedom of speech and safety on campus is always a conversation. You know, I think, you know, students have the opportunity to debate and have conversations, but there's a fine line between crossing that line. And, you know, we brought forward Bill 166 or the supporting students' accessibility. And that act has, you know, really reigned in some of the challenges on campus,

but there's always more opportunities to ensure that our students are having a good diet. I log in a good debate. That's very important. Well, look, when I was in college, I was excited to be an outlier. I was excited to have my ideas tested against someone I completely disagreed with, have those ideas collide and see what came of it. And if my ideas failed, I would come up with better ideas. And I'm genuinely worried for my kids, if they're anything like me,

for what would happen to them if they go to university today and run afoul of whatever the orthodoxy is of the last. loudest group, right? I'm genuinely worried. I'm going to have to take an active role in finding out what is the culture on that university campus? What is it like if you are of this particular bent or if you

agree with this or disagree with that? That was never an issue before and it feels like it should be top of mind for any parent who has a kid who likes to be that person who runs counter, who likes to be the S-distirber, if you will. Unfortunately, the world has become more

polarized. You know, we're seeing it all across. It's not just in Ontario. I think it's right across Canada and the world. And, you know, differing views seem to be more polarizing now than ever. But, but, Minister, polarizing is not the issue. It's the acceptance of a counterpoint that is not yours. We don't have that level of tolerance for ideas that rub us the wrong way. No, I would agree. Some of the things we do see are concerning. You know, there should be that opportunity to have an open and clear debate. And whenever it's been stifled, that is a challenge because our students are going to get a good education, a world-class education, and times that there isn't the opportunity to have a free-flowing debate. That's not productive for anyone.

Lastly, I just had your colleague Stan Cho on talking about the new Science Center. It looks beautiful. Is there a research excellence component to your job? Is there any part of your job that overlaps with the Science Center? Well, recognizing that, you know, the Science Center is teaching our youth. Yes, educational. Mine's more focused on the research component for cancer, for the brain Institute. But just the small stuff. Yeah, absolutely. But, you know, and you know, sick kids down the road in that regard.

But ultimately, you know, I've gone to the old science center with my children right before closed. Yeah. It was long overdue for a world-class facility. And having it on the waterfront is going to be exciting. I'm looking forward to bring my kids back. Minister, can you stick around for a little bit? We'd love to.

Okay. Don't go anywhere. More with Minister Nolan Quinn. When we come back on the Ben Mulrudey show. At Medcan, we know that life's greatest moments are built on a foundation of good health. From the big milestones to the quiet. wins. That's why our annual health assessment offers a physician-led full-body checkup that provides a clear picture of your health today and may uncover early signs of conditions like heart disease and

cancer. The healthier you means more moments to cherish. Take control of your well-being and book an assessment today. Medcan. Live well for life. Visit medcan.com slash moments to get started. Welcome back and not just to you, the listeners and the viewers on YouTube, but welcome back to MPP Nolan Quinn, who's also the minister of colleges, universities, research excellence, and security. Thank you so much for sticking around. Thanks for having me, Ben. Let's talk about post-secondary funding and reform. So you talked about the $6.4 billion investment.

But the devil's in the details, isn't it? It's about where that money is going to go. Who's in charge of deciding where that money is allocated? Or do you give it to the universities and they best determine where it's to be dispersed? Well, we have different pools of money. So I mentioned earlier there's $3.3 billion, which is going to be. going to the weighted grant units for our priority programs, recognizing that the cost of bringing programs online has changed a lot in the last 10 years.

So that's a significant portion of it. Another $1.1 billion will go towards overall funding. Small northern rural is really important for our province. We have a huge province, and a lot of it is rural. I come from a rural riding as well. So there's a good chunk of money, almost $300 million associated with that. So it's very much allocated the dollars. And then there's the $70,000 new seats we're going to bring online as well.

70,000 new seats in terms of new slots for students. Newly funded seats. Newly funded seats. And that's across all universities and colleges. And colleges as well. It'll be going through more or less an RFP process because, again, we have priorities as a government. We have labor market needs. And we want to ensure that our economy is going to continue growing.

And where I know that there is an issue of housing for university students. I mean, I've seen the social media posts of kids, like a dozen kids in a basement apartment. Is that something that's considered as well as part of this growth for the universities and the entire network? The funding that we have is for the actual classrooms. It's for the labs. It's for the actual student learning. But I know there are a lot of new beds coming online. You know, down in Windsor, they have a P3 partnership.

They brought on 500 new beds. Okay. So it is a priority of all of our institutions, universities and colleges, to bring more beds online, especially if there's going to be international students coming to their school. We want to ensure that there's a bed for the international student as well. Yeah, let's move to the research innovation portion of your portfolio. That's got to be very exciting. I mean, I did a, I did a radiothon here for the Princess Margaret Cancer Center.

And I took a tour. And what I saw there blew my mind. And, you know, the hospitals in camp, the news that we typically tell on this show is of, you know, issues with wait times and that sort of thing. But the flip side is the wonderful research that goes on at so many these hospitals. And so many firsts have happened in medical research in, not just in this province, but in this city. Absolutely. You know, penicillin was invented in Toronto. But, you know, that's the part of the job I really enjoy.

I think, you know, the one component prior to getting into this role, and I think the general public sees it that way is research is often a tower. Yeah. And it's not affecting their day-to-day lives. You know, I was just that sick kids a few weeks ago. And the research they're doing is impacting my children. Yeah. It's impacting the youth of today, but also it's, they're making breakthroughs right across.

So it was at University of Guelph at their dairy research and beef research area. And it is impressive what we are doing. in our world-class institutions. So that is the part of the job that it really opens up my eyes. The intelligent researchers and professors that are doing groundbreaking research at our institutions across Ontario. So I see here that your ministry oversees more than $47 million in research funding to universities, colleges, and hospitals.

I don't know anything about anything, but that doesn't seem like a very big number. Well, I think what you're referencing is the last investment we have. So we have multiple rounds of research funds. funding, it's a couple hundred million dollars a year. I think it's almost $250 million a year that we're investing into research. So there's multiple rounds. And then that would be matched by CFI. And then there's usually private donors as well. I was going to ask, what role do private donors and does industry play in funding this sort of research? And how can we get the private sector more involved? You know, recognizing we're lucky here in Toronto, there's a good

ecosystem of philanthropists. You know, I'm thinking just down the road at some of the hospitals with Peter Gilgan and the investments he's done in multiple hospitals. But we've invested over $2 billion into the research sector since 2018. And that's leveraged multi more billions of dollars across the sector. So I think everyone has a part to play to ensure that we are going to continue doing groundbreaking research right here in Ontario. You know, I just, one of the reasons I don't think I could go into politics is the all of the, it sounds great. Like the headline, the title of a portfolio is great. But then you realize all the all the, all the,

knock on effects that need to be, need to be, that you have to focus on. And if you, if you don't focus on it, then you're going to get called out. And the, the issue of access and inclusion, for example. I mean, that, that's, that requires a deaf touch requiring, you know, ensuring that, those, those groups that have traditionally been on the outside looking in. And as, as Ontario has invited in, I think, more francophone immigrants this year, I think it hit over 10% this year for the first time in years, ensuring that, that they have access. to those things as well. How important are those and how top of mind are those issues in your ministry? Very top of mind. I come from a very francophone community as well. It's almost 30% in Stormont Dundas, South Glendgary. It's extremely important. And that's what I mentioned earlier, almost $300 million for small, northern, rural and French institutions. Because we recognize the importance. You know, it's where we come from as a society and we want to ensure that we're culturally appropriate for for all communities. And sometimes that does involve a little bit more of investment to ensure that we're looking at all areas of the province. And I think, you know, our Francophone community

is very much ingrained in our history. And we want to ensure that it's strong moving forward as well. I am chatting with MPP, Nolan Quinn, who happens to also be the Minister of Colleges, University's research excellence and security. We're in a wide-ranging conversation. Let's take this back to being an MPP. You're riding, Stormont, Dundas, South Glengarry. describe it for me. It's as far east as you can go on the 401. So I go right to the Quebec border, but it's about 3,000 square kilometers.

The city of Cornwall would be the city. It's 3,000 square kilometers? It is. Not as big as the northern riding. They're in the 30,000 range, but it is pretty significant. It takes me about an hour and a half to get from one end to the other,

but it's mainly rural. So in agriculture base, the city of Cornwall would be the center. We go right to the edge of Ottawa. You know, it's a beautiful area. I'd like to remind my Toronto colleagues, the slogan of Stormont Dundescalengarry, it's where Ontario begins.

It has a lot of history. So the first premier of Ontario is actually buried in the village I live in, Sandfield McDonald, as well as Simon Fraser, the explorer. You live in a village. A village of about 200 people, St. Andrews West, a very small village, but it has a lot of history to the area. And how often you get back? At least on weekends.

Obviously, this file is very important to the success of Ontario, but I am home at least every weekend to be able to see my wife and kids and be able to travel the riding because it is pretty big. Well, you know, the sacrifice that politicians make of all stripes to be there at the seat of government where they need to be and to be able to get back to their constituents who deserve that face time and especially their families who are part of that sacrifice. That sacrifice earns my respect more than I can say. Yesterday on this show, we talked with Michelle Ferreari, former conservative MP, about this issue. with safe supply, but also access to drug paraphernalia that one group in Newfoundland wants to give access to rural communities to by way of Canada Post.

And the article, you've got to read it, sir, the article on the CBC website is the most slanted biased piece of journalism you will read this week. There will be more next week, I'm sure, but this one takes the cake this week. Speaking about this is going to help destigmatize drug use, and it's going to help save lives which I think is blatant nonsense. And you know, you come from one of these ridings. And I wonder what your thoughts are to know that the activists out there who want that unaccountable access to drugs. They want to use Canada Post to get it to places like you're riding.

It concerns me on many levels. I don't know about yourself, Ben, but Canada Post has lost some of my mail in the past some important mail as well. So to me, if there's a drug pipe being mailed, then my child finds that, I'm very, very concerned. But the overall, the overarching issue is it's ignoring the issue. Yeah. These people need treatment. They need rehab and they need to be able to live beautiful lives. And to me, giving them, and I have air quotes here that you may not see on the radio, safe supply, nothing is safe.

It's a drug and it's affecting families and livelihoods of people. So that's why we're going all in on hard hubs. Yeah. But I'm glad. But then I see sort of the leadership of this city kind of listening and nodding at the press conferences and then going off and doing their own thing. I mean, the amount of money that this city spent last year

on crack pipes and meth pipes and all that paraphernalia, it sort of runs counter to this commitment that I believe the city is made to follow through on these hard hubs. It makes me scratch my head. I'm not too sure what to say to that, Ben. I don't understand that leadership, you know, and I use that term loosely. To me, we should be looking after our friends, family, and the people we know. And I think, you know, everyone knows somebody that's lost a life to do an overdose,

and it's traumatizing to the community. That is not the solution to give free drugs. The solution is to give them a clear path forward. This government is going to, I mean, three victories, but what were not in year nine, is it a nine or ten? Yes, year nine. So how is morale in the caucus? caucus is amazing. We're very unified and, you know, to me, when challenges arise, we communicate with each other.

I think being open and honest is a key component. But, you know, we have such a great leader. The Premier is amazing, you know, and he works day and night. And he expects it of us. You know, I think we're all a bunch of workers to a certain extent and we keep our heads down and make sure we're doing the best for our community. Generally speaking, I mean, he's kept the team pretty much together. He really has. The people that you started with, I mean, there's been some new additions and people have left, but, but there's a big, there's a strong nucleus that's still there. There really is since 2018. I got elected in 2022 and it was like joining a big family.

You know what, sorry, I have to, I have to interrupt, I should say to those who don't know, you probably should know, but I should say that my sister is part of this government. I do not talk to her about government affairs when I spend time with her. I find it's far more interesting to come into conversations like this with you. She didn't know that you were coming on. She didn't know that Stan was here, but I'm sure she's listening or somebody's going to tell her. We're lucky to have Caroline and other strong women leaders. I brought my oldest daughter to Queens Park and I introduced her to Caroline, Sylvia Jones, Charmaine Williams. We really have a strong team with so many strengths coming to the table.

Yeah, my son, John, went for a tour of Queens Park. He showed up and Caroline organized a meeting with the Premier in his office. The kids absolutely love getting behind the big chair. The Premier I don't think is ever sat at that desk, but people do really love getting to meet them. Is it true that the legislatures, the Queens Park is going to close down for renovations? I haven't heard any updates in the last little while. A couple years ago, that was part of the conversation. But, you know, it was just in there today, and they're doing a lot of renovations right now.

So I can't give you the inside edge on that one. But do you know, like when they close, do you know where you're going to move? You know, there was some conversations, possibly at a tower in downtown Toronto, but recognizing what's going on in Ottawa. I mean, there is space. There is space. There definitely is office space. You know, and that's what makes it even more special being in the building. So the fear of if we do move out, I probably won't go back into that building.

political career. So I'm really trying to enjoy the creeks and cracks of the old Queen Spark. Hey, listen, this has been wonderful. MPP Nolan, Clinton, Quinn, Minister of Colleges, and thank you so much for sticking around. I really appreciate it. I know that I've enjoyed it. I'm sure our listeners have as well. And I want to thank everybody for joining us here today. If you want to keep this conversation going, you know what to do. Follow me on Twitter at Ben Mulroney. Follow the show on Instagram at Ben Mulroney show. We just hit 99,000 followers on Instagram. Once we get to 10, $100,000, my boss promised me he ribs. So let's make that happen for Benny Boy.

We'll post a podcast for those of you who missed parts of the show and want to catch it. Intrepid producer, thank you for a great show. I appreciate it. You're welcome. Santiago, thank you so much. Amy Siegel, thank you very much. And thank you at home. And we'll see you tomorrow on Friday.

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