On Point With Alex Pierson

Toronto's Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen de Villa has announced that she will be stepping down from her position at the end of the year, just as the province heats up its battle with the city to do away with decriminalization. Where does this leave the city, our medical community and ultimately...you. Host Alex Pierson asks all these questions to Dr. de Villa herself, including the one many Torontonians may have themselves...does she have any regrets? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Korski, Managing Editor of Blacklocks Reporter joined Alex Pierson to discuss Parks Canada on Saturday is reopening John A. Macdonald's historic Kingston, Ont.home with ''racism and sexism'' tours and admission is only 9 bucks, an ArriveCan executive yesterday admitted to drinking and dining with contractors in breach of ethics rules but said he never talked about money, Liberal MPs yesterday opposed disclosure of payments to pharmaceutical companies for ''safe supply'' opioids. All this and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yet another EV production facility is being developed in Ontario that will the first of its kind in the country! But considering we've seen promised jobs literally given to people outside the country, many are wondering if this facility will actually be a good investment. To help our host Alex Pierson make sense of it all, she is joined by Aaron Wudrick, the director of domestic policy at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. Aaron breaks down the cost for the average taxpayer and why this time the jobs better stay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shortly after Ontario releases new laws aimed at curbing auto theft, the province has also just announced new driving laws that will target the rising problem of people driving intoxicated. But will it actually address anything or is it just political lip service? Criminal Lawyer Ari Goldkind joins host Alex Pierson to help talk about how the law has been altered, why the province believes its necessary, & if will really help at all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the day when we celebrate Israel's independence, Toronto Mayor Oliva Chow decided that the ceremony was "too divisive" and that she would not be attending. But was this the right move? Host Alex Pierson speaks with Toronto City Councillor for York Centre James Pasternak, who was present at the ceremony. Alex and James discuss how long it was known Mayor Chow would not be attending, and why councillor Pasternak tried to convince her it was worth the appearance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An Ottawa judge has ruled his city failed to protect the Taxi industry when Uber rideshares were brought in....and awarded $215 Million in damages to the class-action lawsuit for the cabbies. Could we see a similar ruling come in Toronto? Host Alex Pierson asks this question to Kristine Hubbard, the operations manager with Beck Taxi who has been following this case for quite some time. Kristine tells Alex that this is a watershed moment for the Taxi industry, and why Toronto might want to keep this ruling in mind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The province of Ontario just introduced new legislation that would see people convicted of auto theft have their license suspended for 10 years, and potentially even for life if caught multiple times. But will this really do anything to address the criminal element? And what is this new personalized pricing system that Uber is using...will it be at all good for the riders? To get these answers, host Alex Pierson is joined by Lauren O'Neil, an anchor and reporter with AM 640 who was at this press conference. Lauren not only breaks down what the province is introducing but also how Uber's pricing system may be an invasion of privacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Korski, Managing Editor of Blacklocks Reporter joined Alex Pierson to discuss the Senate two years after it legalized bookmarking will reopen committee hearing on the harms of online gambling, a Senate committee has laded in the midst of a threatened lawsuit after it distributed links to a video alleging sadistic abuse of animals at a Canadian theme park, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office yesterday falsely claimed Canada ''was among the first countries to recognize Israel's Independence'' in 1984. All this and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A proposed 18-20 storey residential tower that was set to be put up in Stoney Creek has just been rejected by the Ontario Land Tribunal. Is this a sign of NIMBYism in Hamilton, or could this actually be beneficial to all residents in the area? Host Alex Pierson is joined by Hamilton City Councillor for Ward 5 Matt Francis to help explain that this is not the start of a bad thing, but a move that will improve the area for all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investigative Reporter Sam Cooper has uncovered evidence that Canadian politicians may have been exposed to a PRC blackmail ring that involved a palatial Mansion in Markham, an illegal casino and brothel. The stuff of movies. He joins our host Alex Pierson to help refresh this major story that happened over 4 years ago, and who may have been targeted. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is a threat of a major strike that could deeply affect Canada's supply chain...and in turn, places further tarnish this country's reputation as a reliable trading partner. Host Alex Peirson is joined by Sylvain Charlebois, the Director of the agi-food analytics lab at Dalhousie University and who also wrote a Toronto Sun article highlighting this very issue, and why we need to make sure the strike doesn't happen. For our wallets...as well as help rebuild Canada's reputation on the global stage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A policy in place within the Toronto District School Board that allows specialized programs to only admit students through a lottery system may be facing provincial review very soon. But what is this system, and why do so many students and parents find it a problem? Hot Alex Pierson is joined by Bethany Bergman, a member of the group called Concerned-Parents-4-Arts-TDSB, whose own children have been deeply affected by this flawed program, and who is pushing for its complete elimination. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He was famous for being witty, outspoken, a little crass and extremely intelligent. Rex Murphy embodied what quite a few consider as all the best traits a journalist should have. After his sudden passing, host Alex Pierson speaks with a long-time friend of Rex, Catherine Swift, who is also the President of the Coalition of Concerned Manufacturers & Business. Catherine pulls back the veil and shares some of her favourite memories of this Canadian Icon, and how he was always able to bring a smile to her face. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

U.S. President Biden has announced the States will be withholding a much-needed shipment of munitions to Israel in light of the growing Palestinian humanitarian crisis in Gaza. But some question if this was done for human rights, or to sway voters to the democrats. Host Alex Pierson asked the very same question and was joined by Christian Leupretcht, a professor at the Royal Military College and Queen's University as well as a Sr. Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. Christian helps break down the geo-politics at play, and if this move by the U.S. could have lasting, and long-term ramifications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A video circulating online of a Pro-Palestinian protestor yelling at a Jewish sr. citizen has just developed a new wrinkle....the protestor is actually a stand-up comedian who says he finds hate funny. But is that really an excuse, or could this man be considered a threat? Phil Gurski, the CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk and a former CSIS Sr. analyst joins host Alex Pierson to help explain what counts as hate speech, and if this comedian could be considered a threat by authorities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've just been told that Toronto is in the running for a new WNBA team and will be playing at the Cocoa-Cola Stadium. But that area is a bit of a dead zone for fans, so is it going to be a draw? To get these answers and more, host Alex Pierson turns to Jennifer Van Der Valk the Sr. VP of communications & marketing for the Toronto Board of Trade. Jennifer lays out how excited the city is to begin building up Exhibition Place to be more pedestrian-friendly, and the many benefits it can bring the city. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a surprising tweet, Sabrina Maddeaux, who was campaigning for the Conservative nomination to run for MP for Aurora-Oak Ridge-Richmond Hill announced that she is immediately suspending her campaign due to issues with the integrity of the election process. How serious is this issue, whats being done about it and how could it affect you? To get those answers and more host Alex Pierson is joined by Chris Chapin, the managing principal of Upstream Strategy Group, who helps to make sense of this complex and disturbing issue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After YEARS of debates in the House of Commons, the federal government finally unanimously agreed to designate the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp as a terrorist group. But is this really something, or just some lip service? Salma Sima, who spent time imprisoned by the IRGC previously joins host Alex Pierson to expose just how dangerous this corp is, and why Canada needs to do more ASAP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.I.- generated deepfakes are spreading across Canada, and disturbingly is helping to fuel child exploitation and pornography...can this wave be slowed? To get a better handle on this issue, host Alex Pierson is joined by Bill McGarry, the director of Cyber Investigations for Investivative Solutions Network Inc. (ISN) who also served as a Toronto Police officer for over 30 years. Bill breaks down to Alex just how fast the technology is advancing, and tactics police are using to attempt to keep up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The pro-Palestinian protest has been on University of Toronto property for the better part of a week with no signs of leaving...and new video evidence on social media shows members harassing Jewish Sr. citizens who live in the area. Host Alex Pierson is joined by Jamie Kirzner Robert, the Sr. Director of policy and advocacy with the Simon Wiesenthal Center Canada to help break down just how toxic this encampment has become, and how it affects not only the school but also the residents nearby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices