On Point With Alex Pierson

Following a collision on the 401 an impaired driving charge was laid on the driver - who happened to be, at the time, the Head of The Toronto Police Disciplinary Tribunal. Alex Pierson brought President of the Toronto Police Association onto the show to question, what happens now? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest amendments proposed to the government's gun control bill, C-21, would prohibit large numbers of common hunting rifles, shotguns, as well as antique arms, cannons owned by historical re-enactors, and pricey collector pieces from their legal owners. This bill will likely have a massive impact on rural hunters & many are already, up in arms over this sweeping arms-ban. Alex invites friend of the show Tom Korski, Managing Editor of Blacklocks Reporter on to speak about this bill along with other updates impacting our city. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scientists announced Tuesday that they have for the first time produced more energy in a fusion reaction than was used to ignite it — a major breakthrough in the decades-long quest to harness the process that powers the sun. What does this mean for our energy sector moving forward, and could this be a viable option to eventually replace fossil fuels? Alex spoke with Dr. Riccardo Betti, Chief Scientist at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics and Professor at the University of Rochester, to see how this all could work out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

International Trade Minister, Mary Ng, apologized Tuesday after the federal ethics commissioner concluded she broke the rules by awarding a contract to a friend — opening the door for the Opposition Conservatives to point out that it’s not the first time a Liberal cabinet minister has faced such rulings. Pierre Poilievre grilled the prime minister during question period on Tuesday but Trudeau failed to give an answer to the matter. Dr. Lori Turnbull is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the School of Public Administration at Dalhousie University, and she joined Alex to talk about this. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shelley Walker is the CEO of the Women's Trucking Federation of Canada. She joined Alex to talk about the number of trucking jobs available right now in the GTA and why women should take a second look at the industry! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week, Toronto Police seized a large amount of guns, most of them traced back to America, and destined for Toronto's streets. Toronto Police Chief, Jon Ramer, said that this is disturbing and that these guns are killing our kids. One man was arrested during this gun bust and has been charged with gun smuggling, but coincidentally, the same man shot and killed one of his friends. But he only received a seven and a half year sentence for murdering someone. So why are some of our hardened criminals just allowed to walk after committing such a heinous act? Let's ask Ari Goldkind, a Criminal Lawyer, who can answer to this and whether or not our criminals are getting off too easily. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A committee looking into the expenses of Governor General Mary Simon, her staff, and other dignitaries, have been put under immense fire. On a recent trip to Dubai, the six day trip racked up a bill of over $100,000 just in catering costs alone. They had to be dragged kicking and screaming in order to answer for the exorbitant bill, but one aide who claimed she dined on ordinary airplane food admitted the menu included Beef Wellington. As always, who else do we turn to when it comes to all things Ottawa, but Tom Korski, Managing Editor of Blacklock's Reporter, himself? Alex and Tom dig through this, and the other big stories out of Ottawa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a video posted online, a woman alleges that during a 911 call, she was told that police were "understaffed," and to "call the mayor," since it was apparently his fault. This all happening while there was a home intruder on the property. The police never did end up showing, and now the police are scrambling to find out what happened. Jon Reid is the President of the Toronto Police Association and joined Alex to talk about this situation, and what can be done to rectify it from ever happening again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Public debt charges jumped $2.3 billion overnight with the latest increase in the Bank of Canada prime interest rate. Debt costs are now the fastest growing line item in the federal budget. Budget Officer Yves Giroux in 2021 testimony laid out costs of a 1% point. Federal debt charges go up by $4.5 billion in the first year and they rise to $12.8 billion additionally by year five if that one-time shock is sustained throughout the period...” Here to parse through the info on this and other big stories in Ottawa is Tom Korski, Managing Editor of Blacklock's Reporter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Porter Airlines, the Toronto based airliner, is set to receive new Embraer E-195 jets, but they won't be flying out of Billy Bishop. The company announced that they will now be offering flights out of Pearson Airport, allowing them to compete side by side with the likes of Air Canada, WestJet, Flair, and more. Will Porter pose a threat to the other airliners? We asked John Gradek, a Faculty Lecturer of Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations and Integrated Aviation Management at McGill University, about this expansion and whether or not this would be a good move for the company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With EV's becoming increasingly popular across Canada, how are we doing when it comes to our infrastructure for these vehicles? According to the EV Readiness Index, Canada has fallen from eighth place in 2021 to 13th in 2022 of the world’s top 14 vehicle markets. The main reasons? A lack of ambition on charging infrastructure and consumer incentives. We spoke with Brian Kingston, President and CEO of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association, to dig into this, and what we can do to improve going forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Next week, on Tuesday December 13th, Canned Laughter returns to Toronto after a brief hiatus for the third installment of simultaneous comedy shows happening at the hub of Toronto comedy, the Comedy Bar. Working along-side Comedy Bar, Canned Laughter aims to give back to the city of Toronto and bring awareness to those who are in need this holiday season. Canned Laughter is a one-night fundraiser and food drive with four shows featuring some of Canada's best comics. 100% of proceeds will go directly to the Daily Bread Food Bank. Alex Wood is a Comedian and Co-Producer of Canned Laughter, and joined Alex to talk about the event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Parliamentary Press Gallery executives accompanied by armed police on Friday evicted Blacklock’s. All questions were referred to a House of Commons employee. Blacklock’s said the eviction, first of its kind in the history of the National Press Building, was clear reprisal over its continued protests against media subsidies. Tom Korski, Managing Editor of Blacklock's Reporter, joined Alex to discuss the eviction, among other stories from Ottawa today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever since Andrew Horwath stepped down as provincial leader of the NDP, there's been an empty seat for the leadership. Now that the deadline for submissions are closed for the campaign, only one person actually met the requirements to run in the race... although it isn't much of a race anymore. Marit Styles is the one who is 'running' and will most likely just get the leadership handed to her. Is this showing how bad it is to get people to run in politics today? We asked Kim Wright, Strategist and Principal of Wright Strategies, this question, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're already at high foodflation rates across Canada and a recent report suggests that we could see another hike of 5-7% sometime in 2023 for food costs. Dr. Simon Somogyi is a Food Business Professor at the University of Guelph and also is one of said report's authors. He joined guest host Rubina Ahmed-Haq to discuss the report's findings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new report out by Generation Squeeze, a charitable organization fighting for generational fairness in the country, shows that, “The number of years of work required to save [for] a 20 [per cent] down payment on average priced homes has grown in alarming ways in many regions...” Dr. Paul Kershaw is a Policy Professor at the University of British Columbia and Founder of Generation Squeeze, and joined guest host Rubina Ahmed-Haq, to go through the report. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the technology of AI being more and more, Google has gone ahead and released a product called DreamBooth, which takes photos of an individual, and generates completely computer rendered photos that look like the person it's trying to recreate. David Shipley, Cyber Security Expert and CEO of Beauceron Security, joined guest host, Rubina Ahmed-Haq, to explain this and how it could affect the future of deepfakes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over two dozen companies that have tested out a four-day work week have no plans of going back, according to a recent report. Researchers discovered that the 33 companies that tested out the shortened schedule without a reduction in pay, were "extremely pleased with their performance, productivity and overall experience." Jamie Savage, the founder of The Leadership Agency, joined Alex to talk about the benefits of a four day work week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Liberal government’s new dental care benefit for children is open for applications, which will help qualifying families get help for their children’s dental costs. What will it mean for Canadians going forward, and how much will be doled out for dental? Alex is joined by Dr. Lesli Hapak, a Dentist in Windsor and Former President of the Ontario Dental Association, to discuss it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As he continues his rapid descent into sheer craziness, Kanye West went on a new anti-Semitic rant during an appearance with Infowars host Alex Jones on Thursday. Avi Benlolo is the Founder and Chairman of Abraham Global Peace Initiative, and joined Alex to talk about the danger that comes with his comments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices