ON Parliament

A brief history of Parliament in Ontario

In our first episode we explore 229 years of Ontario's parliamentary history: from fires to stolen maces, a controversial design competition to big changes in parliament, this month's episode has something for everyone. Join us as we begin our journey to demystify the function, importance, and history of Ontario's Parliament (there will be lots of fun facts along the way)!

Introducing ON Parliament!

Introducing the ON Parliament Podcast from the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

What's the Difference between Parliament and Government?

This month's episode explores the difference between two often confused terms: Parliament and Government. We delve a little deeper into why they're important, how they're different and what each one truly means. We're hoping this episode will help expand everyone's parliamentary vocabulary but have no fear, there will be lots of fun facts along the way (and some pretty sweet parliamentary puns too).

Changing the Landscape: Women of Queen’s Park

This month ON Parliament presents a special episode in honour of International Women's Day. We had the opportunity to interview three former MPPs about their time at Queen's Park and learned all about what it means to be a woman in politics. Special thanks to Sharon Murdoch, Janet Ecker and Mary Anne Chambers for sharing their compelling stories with us. This is an episode you definitely don’t want to miss!

A House for Ontario: the Architectural History of the Legislative Building

Happy Birthday to the Legislative Building! This month we delve into the history of Ontario's Parliament Building and take a closer look at the architectural features, changes, and additions that have taken place over the years. We also set a new fun fact record and even managed to squeeze in some great architectural puns! This is one birthday celebration you don't want to miss!

Different Types of Bills

Have you ever wondered what happens before a law is passed? Laws have a big impact on our day-to-day lives, and we wanted to shed some light on how they come to be. This month we kick off a two-part mini-series on how laws are made. Part One explores the different types of bills that you’ll find in Ontario’s Parliament. Did we still manage to find some fun facts about bills? – You bet we did!

The Legislative Process

This month’s episode is part two of our mini-series on how a bill becomes a law. Continuing on our journey, we explore the legislative process in more detail. We’ll take you through all of the steps and stages. But don’t worry – there are sure to be lots of fun facts that pop up along the way too!

An Interview with Her Honour Elizabeth Dowdeswell, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario

This month ON Parliament presents a special episode - we had the opportunity to interview the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Her Honour Elizabeth Dowdeswell. We learned all about what it means to be the Queen's Representative in Ontario and got to chat about her most memorable moments and favourite parts of her role. This is an episode you definitely don’t want to miss!

 

*Editor's Note: Her Honour references a trip she took with the Countess of Sussex. However, Her Honour later confirmed to ON Parliament that the trip was with the Countess of Wessex.

An Interview with the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, the Honourable Ted Arnott

ON Parliament has a very special episode this month! We had the opportunity to interview the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, the Honourable Ted Arnott. We talked about the many things that make up the role of Speaker, fun hats, lots of traditions and learned about some of the Speaker's memorable moments in the chair. This is an episode you definitely don’t want to miss!

Keeping Parliament Running

This month we got to explore the fascinating roles of Parliament's procedural expert, the Clerk, and our head of security, the Sergeant-at-Arms. We learned all about their roles inside the Chamber as well as their little-known but incredibly important roles outside of the Chamber too. We also made sure to include lots of fun facts along the way - this is one episode you don't want to miss!

Bonus Episode: Everything You Need to Know about the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly

Bonus Episode! We received a lot of questions about the role of the Clerk so we decided to get some answers. Learn all about the history, traditions and importance of Parliament's Procedural Expert. And of course there are lots of fun facts long the way too!

Bonus Episode: Everything You Need to Know about the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Legislative Assembly

Bonus Episode! We wanted to take a closer look at the long history of the role of the Sergeant-at-Arms so we did a little more digging about such an important parliamentary position. Learn all about the history, traditions and importance of the Sergeant-at-Arms. And of course there are lots of fun facts long the way too!

Parliamentary Traditions

We're back with more history and of course, lots of fun facts! In this episode, we meet a new host, delve into some of the fascinating traditions in Ontario's Parliament, and play a few games along the way. Learn all about the Speakers' portraits, the history of the Chamber, and our hosts' favourite traditions too. There's always more to learn about Parliament and never a dull moment on our podcast!

A Celebration in Honour of Black History Month

This month, ON Parliament presents a special episode in honour of Black History Month. We explore some of the important trailblazers who have walked the halls of Queen's Park. Discover the stories of Leonard Braithwaite, Zanana Akande, Alvin Curling, and Lincoln Alexander - four inspirational figures who helped pave the way for countless others. And of course, there may be some fun facts along the way too. This is an episode you definitely don’t want to miss!

All about Elections in Ontario

This month, we delve into the election process in Ontario. What is a notice of enumeration? How many writs of election are there? How does the campaign period work? Learn the answers to these questions and more as we explore the history and process of the election system in Ontario. And of course there are always lots of fun facts along the way.

Hiding in Plain Sight

This month we delve into some of the hidden treasures within the Legislative Building in honour of its 129^th anniversary. Learn more about the Chamber ceiling restoration projects, the fascinating history of the fifth floor, and discover the real story behind the glass panel in the floor outside of the Chamber. As always, our hosts were able to fit in lots of fun facts along the way. This is one episode not to be missed!

Her Majesty at Queen’s Park

In honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, this month we delve into some of Her Majesty's previous visits to the Legislative Assembly over the years. We also take a look back at the historical impact of other Royals at Ontario's Parliament. And as always, there are sure to be lots of fun facts in this month's episode too!

A Deep Dive into Committees

ON Parliament has a very special episode this month! We had the opportunity to interview Valerie Quioc Lim and Chris Tyrell, two of the Clerks at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. We discussed what a Committee is, its purpose and function, and the role that the public can have in this important stage within the Legislative Process. One of our guests even had their own fun fact moment too. This is an episode you definitely don’t want to miss!

Remembering Great Acts of Valour

This month we have a very special episode of the podcast in honour of Remembrance Day. Every year, Canadians mark Remembrance Day on November 11th as a way to recognize the sacrifices made by so many who fought to keep our country free and to honour the many who continue to serve to protect us. This episode is in honour of this important day and of its significance at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

A Library for Ontario: The History of the Legislative Library

This month's episode has been a long time in the making! Join us as we delve into the fascinating history of Ontario's Legislative Library - from its humble beginnings to the vital role it plays in today's parliament, the Legislative Library has come a long way over the past 200 years. And of course, the episode wouldn't be complete without some new fun facts along the way!