Podcast Summary: "The One Where Marit Uses the 'C' Word"

Podcast: Unlearn16: Class is in Session
Host: Unlearn16
Guest: Marit Stiles (Leader, Ontario NDP)
Date: December 16, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on political accountability and transparency in Ontario’s legislature, focusing on recent scandals, government corruption allegations, and the state of the province’s public education system. Host Unlearn16 and guest Marit Stiles—a teacher-turned-politician and current Ontario NDP leader—combine wit and candor to dissect government dysfunction, share behind-the-scenes insights, and highlight how public trust is eroded by the very people meant to serve. A running theme: "bad business" in politics ultimately hurts everyone, especially kids in the education system.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Reality of "Unparliamentary Language" & Calling Out Corruption

[00:37]

• Unlearn16 lauds Marit Stiles for being kicked out of parliament for calling Premier Doug Ford “corrupt.”
• Stiles explains what counts as "unparliamentary language":
  • "I can't say that somebody's lying. I can't say that somebody's corrupt... can't even hint that a member is absent." – Stiles [01:45]
  • Reasoning: Rules aim to keep the tone of debate higher than the reality often suggests.
• Students touring Parliament are shocked by rowdiness and rules: they must remain silent, while MPPs can shout and bang desks.

2. The Scandal Behind the Skills Training Grants

[06:00]

• Stiles discusses a major $2.5 billion skills training grant program overseen by Labour Minister David Piccini.
  • The Auditor General found the process was corrupted: grants ranked low by civil servants were bumped up by ministers for political allies, friends, donors.
  • “When you're giving out government dollars in exchange for something else, that is corruption.” – Stiles [10:15]
• Stiles refused to withdraw or apologize for calling out government corruption, breaking with parliamentary convention.

3. Is Corruption ‘Business as Usual’ in Politics?

[10:30 / 12:07]

• Host presses: Isn’t this just how politics works?
• Stiles rejects this cynicism, explaining there are supposed to be strict rules and non-political experts making funding decisions. The system only works if politicians uphold their duty to ALL citizens, not just political allies.
  • “You are elected to do the right thing for the most people.” – Stiles [12:07]
  • Misuse of funds and erosion of oversight breaks public trust.

4. Advertising, Gaslighting, and Manipulation of Public Perception

[14:05 / 14:48]

• Comparison to U.S. campaign finance excesses.
• Stiles notes Ontario laws are stricter but loopholes and wiggle room exist.
• Political advertising is critiqued: using tax dollars for government self-promotion instead of public service announcements.
  • “They're gaslighting you. Right. But they're using…your tax dollars.” – Stiles [16:22]
• Unlearn16 advocates for real transparency: forcing televised debates, town halls, and minimizing manipulative ads.

5. The Greenbelt Scandal & Lack of Accountability

[18:22]

• Discussion shifts to the Greenbelt controversy:
  • Protected land was quietly set up for deregulation; insiders bought land at low prices; after the rule change, land values skyrocketed.
  • “As soon as he deregulates it, now it will be available for industrial development…something that was worth $100,000 is now worth a million.” – Unlearn16 [20:48]
• Stiles confirms RCMP and Integrity Commissioner investigations are ongoing but slow.
• The same political insiders keep turning up in scandals.

6. Structural Flaws in Democracy & The Political ‘Four-Year Cycle’

[22:03]

• Stiles on the pitfalls of short-termism: “Government shouldn't be run in like four-year cycles… Everything is being run in a certain way and then... it's really fast. Right. Instead of thinking longer term...” – Stiles [22:03]
• Rushed, ill-considered laws passed for political advantage often have unintended consequences.

7. Crisis in Education: Funding Cuts & Manufactured Distraction

[23:04]

• EQAO standardized test scores questioned; results withheld, then disappointing when finally released.
• Conservatives replace low-paid, locally elected school trustees with $350,000 partisan appointees.
  • “I know. $350,000 to go do what a trustee is supposed to do… have you ever heard of bad business ideas?” – Unlearn16 [23:57]
• Government blames trustees and system flaws but refuses to address chronic underfunding and increased classroom complexity.
  • “It's going to cost money. Yeah, that’s it. It's going to cost money. And this is what nobody's willing to say…” – Unlearn16 [26:42]

8. Underfunding, Overcrowding & the Real Cost of "Efficiency"

[28:26 / 29:10]

• Failure to increase education funding with inflation = real cuts.
  • “It's a $6 billion cut. It's $1,500 per student.” – Stiles [29:10]
• Educational assistants (EAs) underpaid, struggling to manage unsafe environments; special needs students often sidelined due to lack of support.
• Principals forced to oversee multiple schools.
• The host underscores: underinvesting in education isn’t just immoral, it’s bad business for Ontario’s future.
  • “If you're a businessman, Mr. Ford, how do you not invest in the future business of your province?... The only goal I can see is you're looking to break it so you don't have to pay for it anymore.” – Unlearn16 [32:12]

9. Broader Political Strategy: Undermining Public Education

[33:06]

• Stiles and Unlearn16 believe the end goal is privatization under the guise of “school choice.”
• Repeated distractions used by the government to avoid real accountability.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On breaking parliamentary convention:
  "As soon as she said withdraw, I stood up and I said, you know, I can't because it's true." – Marit Stiles [07:35]

• On system corruption:
  ”The only job creation program the government has is for their own insiders.” – Marit Stiles [21:46]

• On education’s bottom line:
  “If you're a businessman, Mr. Ford, how do you not invest in the future business of your province? This is it.” – Unlearn16 [32:12]

• On the deflection of responsibility:
  “Every time we ask these questions… what we get from the minister is a whole bunch of distractions… you have had the reins for eight years, your government, things have gotten worse under you. That's on them. And the answer… is right before you… you just have to invest in kids.” – Marit Stiles [33:48]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Parliamentary language & rules: [00:54] – [04:38]
• Corruption allegations in grant allocations: [05:54] – [10:15]
• Cynicism around politics & need for integrity: [10:30] – [13:07]
• Political advertising/gaslighting: [14:05] – [16:22]
• The Greenbelt scandal explained: [18:22] – [21:43]
• Democracy’s structural flaws: [22:03] – [22:39]
• Education cuts and test scores: [23:04] – [28:26]
• EAs, systemic underfunding, and policy failures: [29:10] – [33:06]
• Final remarks and call for accountability: [33:06] – [33:55]

Tone & Language

The conversation is witty, sharp, and passionate, mixing teacherly sarcasm with pointed policy critique. The hosts' and guest’s frustration is evident, but so is their dedication to candid discussion and real solutions.

Summary for the Uninitiated

If you missed the episode, you’ll leave with an unvarnished view of Ontario’s political scene: an education system and grant process beset by patronage and underfunding, public trust undermined by government doublespeak, and a political environment where challenging entrenched interests takes both nerve and principle. The hosts call for informed engagement, higher ethical standards, and investment in the future—not just for kids, but for the whole province.