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In this new nightly feature, Village Media journalists break down the details of an important story making headlines around the province. On tonight's episode: An early election in Ontario?

Every weeknight, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore an important story they are covering. These in-depth conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

On tonight’s episode of ‘Closer Look’: Will Donald Trump trigger an early Ontario election?

Premier Doug Ford fuelled more election speculation this week when he said he’d have to “put tens of billions of dollars” into the economy if the incoming U.S. president hits Canada with prolonged tariffs — but that he currently doesn’t have the electoral mandate to do that.

“These tariffs are coming,” Ford told reporters at a Wednesday press conference. “Are they going to come like they did last time for five or six weeks? That's one thing. But if they last for months and months, we're going to have to do the same thing as what we did during the pandemic.

“I'm going to have to put tens of billions of dollars into the economy, to save the economy, to protect Canadian, Ontario jobs," he continued. "And I don't have a mandate from the people to spend tens of billions of dollars.”

SEE: Ford floats election campaign over Ontario's response to Trump tariffs

On his way back to Queen's Park from that press conference, a car collided with the OPP vehicle Ford was travelling in. "I'm OK," he told reporters. "This head's like limestone. It's hard as a rock."

Joining us tonight on 'Closer Look' is Sneh Duggal, deputy editor of The Trillium.

Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments HERE.

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Tonight on 'Closer Look': A century-old greenhouse at the University of Guelph is slated for demolition, but the fight is on to save it from the wrecking ball

Every weeknight, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore an important story they are covering. These in-depth conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

On tonight’s episode of ‘Closer Look’: The fight to save a century-old greenhouse.

Built in the 1930s, the D.M. Rutherford Family Conservatory has been a landmark structure at the University of Guelph for decades. But after watching it fall into a state of disrepair in recent years, the university now plans to demolish the greenhouse and replace it with a commemorative garden.

That plan has triggered plenty of backlash, including an online petition that calls for the greenhouse to be saved and restored. The university says that would cost millions of dollars, which would be better spent elsewhere.

SEE: Group forms to try and save historic U of G greenhouse

Joining us tonight is GuelphToday reporter Richard Vivian, who has been covering the controversy. You can read his latest story HERE.

Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments HERE.

Want to see more video features from Village Media? Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Send us a text

Tonight on 'Closer Look': An elusive Ontario landlord defends himself amid growing criticism — including a protest by tenants outside a home he owns in an upscale Toronto neighbourhood.

Every weeknight, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore an important story they are covering. These in-depth conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

On tonight’s episode of ‘Closer Look’: Ontario's biggest "renovictor" finally speaks out.

Earlier this year, Village Media reporters at GuelphToday and CambridgeToday told the story of Michael Klein, a Toronto businessman linked to hundreds of "renovictions" across the province. Multiple companies linked to Klein have purchased apartment buildings in different cities, mass-evicted longtime tenants in order to renovate, then rented the units to someone else at a much higher price.

SEE: How is this legal? Meet the king of Ontario renovictions

In a follow-up story published by TorontoToday, reporter Gabe Oatley caught up with Klein — who insists he follows all Ontario laws. “There’s no such thing as renoviction,” he said.

Oatley is our guest on tonight's 'Closer Look.' You can read his coverage HERE.

SEE: Tenants facing mass ‘renoviction’ take protest to Forest Hill home owned by elusive company director

Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments HERE.

Want to see more video features from Village Media? Subscribe to our YouTube channel.