The Alex Pierson Show

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