There’s a wide range of blogs focused on keeping readers up to date on the Ontario government and politics at Queen’s Park – each offering their own distinct take. Here’s a sampling:

Wise Law Blog

With a clever name drawn from the legal firm behind it, this blog is styled as The Toronto Lawyers’ Legal and Political Blog. It keeps an eye on legal developments in Canada and the U.S. and provides a good smattering of commentary and analysis on key legislative initiatives emanating from Queen’s Park – such as legislation on violence and harassment in the workplace and the cell phone ban for drivers – as well as offering views on delays in civil proceedings in Ontario.

Steve Paikin

Steve Paikin, the affable host of TVO’s The Agenda, blogs on a range of top issues with a particular focus on provincial politics. Of late his commentary has been aimed at the controversy over the G20 meeting in Toronto — although his latest post provides an interesting list of reasons why John Tory should enter the race, as well as the top reasons supporters are urging him to stay on the sidelines. As an aside, Paikin is the author of two excellent books on politics in Canada, both of which are great reads. The Life chronicles some great political success stories, while The Dark Side delves into the lows often found in political life.

HST For Practitioners

Another legal blog – this one focused on harmonized sales taxes in Canada. The HST Blog, published by Cyndee Todgham Cherniak (a lawyer who practices at Lang Michener in Toronto) comments on implementation issues related to Ontario’s new Harmonized Sales Tax, largely from the perspective of tax practitioners and filers. Politics do creep into the commentary – there’s a post about Cyndee being invited by the Conservatives to sit in on Question Period on May 31st to hear Tim Hudak’s questions about the relative wisdom of enacting the HST. The site counts the days the HST has been in place in Ontario (35) and invites comments via an “HST Rants” button.

Environmental Commissioner of Ontario

Beyond the reports he issues to the Ontario Legislature, Gord Miller, the province’s Environmental Commissioner, expands his independent watchdog role to include regular commentary on all things environmental. Recent ECO Blog posts have addressed issues related to requiring home energy ratings at the time of sale, controversial changes to the microFIT program, land use planning and Ontario’s climate change plans.

Rick Mercer

And although it’s focused on federal politics, there’s the excellent blog by Rick Mercer, host of the Rick Mercer Report. It’s not a typical blog – it’s only active while the show is taping each week, and the posts are taken directly from Rick’s weekly rants. Too bad it’s not active during the “off season” – Rick’s incisive look at politics is among the best satire out there. And I’d love to see his rants extended to the provincial scene.