The Alex Pierson Show

Alex Pierson is joined by Stephen Metelsky, an organized crime expert who teaches at Mohawk College and also writes a column called ''Cold Case For Niagara This Week.'' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's crystal clear as far as the Trudeau Liberals are concerned.Rules are for the little people, whether it's the rule of law or just rules in general. If there's a political game to be made, Trudeau will bend them. Robert Fife in the Globe & Mail that a U.S CEO who sells cannabis technology got an one on one meeting with our PM at a pricey little fundraiser last month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this edition of Counterpoint, Alex is joined by: JOHN MRAZ - FORMER LIBERAL WAR ROOM DIRECTOR WITH SEVERAL DOZEN ELECTIONS WORTH OF EXPERIENCE & BILL HUTCHISON FORMER BROADCASTER, LONGTIME JOURNALIST, PROFESSOR AT SENECA Topics include: The Globe and Mail reveals that the Prime Minister’s Office is using a private party database called Liberalist to do background checks on candidates for judicial appointments. Board of Health Chair, Coun. Joe Cressy and Toronto’s medical officer of Health are sounding the alarm about the Ontario government’s proposed $1-billion cut to public health, Trudeau Liberals are eyeing a new plastic tac, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Pierson is joined by Mandy Manak, an addiction physician who helps people overcome their opioid addiction. She's on the show to discuss how a B.C woman gets the first implant to help opioid addiciton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Beer bluster BS and that's all it is. According to the Toronto Star, the Ford Government could pay up to one billion dollars to break up the beer monopoly. Not will, but could. Of course that little nugget comes from an industry source who is fighting the change and that's why none of it should be believed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this edition of Counterpoint, Alex is joined by: Mike Van Soelen – Managing Principle at Navigator & Stephen LeDrew - Formerly the President of the Liberal Party of Canada Topics include: The anniversary of the van attack which happened a year ago, Doug Ford speaks about the beer sale battle, 32 percent of Canadians cutting their cable by the end of the year and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Pierson is joined by Tiffany Jefkins, a former CPR instructor who was enjoying a picnic with her daughter when the van attack happened and she jumped in to help. It's the anniversary of the Toronto van attack that happened last year. Tiffany and Alex reflect on the tragedy and remember those who were lost and those who helped. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A year ago today, seven minutes changed Toronto for good. What would at one time be seen an absolute absurdity became a reality for our world class city as Toronto became ground zero to its first and its worst mass killing. So today, we remember those lost and we reflect on those who stepped in to help. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Pierson is joined by Matthew Fisher, long-time foreign and war correspondent - right now resident visiting scholar for foreign military policy at Massey College. Alex and Matthew talk about the Sri Lanka bombing. How did the government fail to respond to warnings of a bomb threat that they received months in advance? Complacency is at the root of it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this edition of Counterpoint, Alex is joined by: Andy Stinton – Small Business Man & Michael Diamond - Upstream Strategy Group Topics include: The terrorist attack in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, Omar Khadr being treated as a celebrity on the CBC radio show ''Toute Le Monde En Parle, and the Canadian revenue Agency writing off more than $133 million in taxes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's one thing to see Omar Khadr is a victim of his upbringing, it's another thing to elevate him to a star status he does not deserve. That's exactly what the CBC did on Easter Sunday inviting the convicted terrorist to be a star guest on their French Canadian radio show, Toute Le Monde En Parle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this edition of Counterpoint, Alex is joined by: Anthony Furey – Sun / Postmedia Columnist & National Comment Editor & Jason Chapman - Executive Producer at global News Radio 640 Toronto Topics include: The Mueller report is out and there is no collusion, but there might be obstruction of justice, Doug Ford's pledge to break beer monopoly, Ontario's government to allow pharmacists to diagnose, prescribe for minors and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Pierson is joined by Charles Ortel, Clinton whistle-blower and writer of economics, politics and history. The complete Mueller Report has been released. Despite the redactions, it still seems to prove there is no collusion with the Russian government. Alex and Charles discuss why this investigation should not have even happened in the first place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's just so simple that we're truly stupid for not thinking of it sooner. The next time you've got a sore throat, skip the doctor and head to your pharmacist. The government is giving the powers to pharmacists who will soon be able to treat those ailments. Put partisan politics aside, this is a good move for Ontario. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this edition of Counterpoint, Alex is joined by: JOHN MRAZ FORMER LIBERAL WAR ROOM DIRECTOR WITH SEVERAL DOZEN ELECTIONS WORTH OF EXPERIENCE. BILL HUTCHISON FORMER BROADCASTER, LONGTIME JOURNALIST, PROFESSOR AT SENECA Topics include: Jason Kenny is Alberta’s Premier but he is, without question, a very big problem for Justin Trudeau. They are not in anyway and love or even respect. He once compared Trudeau’s depth to a finger bowl- but he joins 4 other right leaning Premiers all unified and fighting a tax that will be a ballot box issue for Trudeau. The Alberta election was without question one of the ugliest. Mud slinging, personal attacks and activist campaigning from 3rd party groups like lead now. And yet, like we saw with the Ontario election, the attacks and mudslinging was not just rejected, but tuned out. We know that the fear mongering is well under way with the Trudeau liberals who promised to remain positive and yet now calls its opposition “nazi’s”.. They can go law, but this election should serve as a warning. No? War of words ramping up between Doug Ford and the Public sector unions. And if it is a fight they want, they will get it. But it can’t be understated how ugly this could get. And there is plenty of spin on all sides, but these reports coming out of peel that 200 teachers have been cut is disingenous. It’s not a cut. These are teachers that are called “surplus” teachers. And they are essentially contract workers who know every yr the board may not be able to bring them back on. The Ford government is taking its fight against a federal carbon pricing plan to the court of public opinion with a new advertising spot that highlights added costs at the pump and the heating bill. The PC’s were against partisan ads when the Liberals did it. Now they are doing it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Following the election in Alberta this past Tuesday, Jason Kenney, Leader of the United Conservative Party has a long legal battle ahead of him regarding the constitutional precedent of Ottawa’s carbon tax. Kenney will present against the federal carbon tax, which came into effect April 1 2019, which is likely to mirror the court challenges brought by Saskatchewan and Ontario,. They have questioned the constitutionality of the measure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex is joined by Chris Buckley, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour to discuss Premier Doug Ford’s first budget which contained few new spending surprises but promises significant investments in healthcare, a new childcare tax credit and major changes to the way alcohol is sold across the province. The $163.4 billion budget – nearly $5 billion larger than the last Liberal budget – pegs current the deficit at $11.7 billion, and the Progressive Conservatives say the books won’t be balanced until 2023–24. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alberta is the latest to send a message--- are politicians picking up the message being put down? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Pierson is joined by former federal Liberal cabinet minister Ujjal Dosanjh to discuss the leader of India‘s Sikh-majority Punjab state has slammed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party after the federal government removed direct references to Sikh extremism in a recent terrorism threat report. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this edition of Counterpoint, Alex is joined by: Stephen LeDrew Lawyer, broadcaster, formerly the President of the Liberal Party of Canada John Dwyer Director of Aereus Technologies and last minute panelist Doug Ford Premier of Ontario Topics include: PM trudeau has watered down a CSIS report that warned of “sikh extremism” because he was told by a small group of sikh leaders declared he and other politicians would be banned from attending parades. And so he is rightfully being accused of undermining our national security for votes. But he isn’t the only one. When did it become acceptable to pander for votes at the expense of our well being? And alienating our allies and those killed in the air india bombing? The Premier is telling teachers not to strike, saying they have a good deal with three months of holidays and the best benefits and pensions in the country. When asked today if Ford was preparing for the possibility of a strike, he said teachers have waged job action against Ontario governments of every stripe, and he says they have to get with the times. He appreciates them, but says their unions have declared war on the government. The Unions have said they will debate in good faith- while being very clear they are gearing up for a fight. The federal government is investing $52.4 million in an innovation network that is expected to create 18,000 skilled jobs in Waterloo, Toronto and Ottawa. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the funding for the new "Scale-up Platform" in Kitchener. BUT- during the Q and A, he went on the attack over the high speed link saying the Ford gov won’t work with them. Except that isn’t true. Back on Feb 7th then Cabinet Min Jane philpott tweeted out avery positive message saying meetings were going great. And of course that was the same day SNC broke. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association says it’s making good on its threat to sue all three orders of government over Google’s plans for a high-tech neighbourhood in Toronto that involves bringing affordable housing, heated sidewalks, and autonomous vehicle infrastructure to five hectares of the city’s waterfront. But it’s been mired in controversy, namely that both our “data” and “privacy” are totally being put at risk and no one can garantee that it won’t be. 2 decades and up to 8 billion dollars. That’s what insurance companies predict it will cost to rebuild the Notre Dame cathedral. And that was just as they told France- you are on the hook. And President Macron immediate called on donors. And a few billionaires have already ponied up hundreds of millions- And today he announced it will be rebuilt in 5 yrs. But the Catholic church has a few pennies to spare-- shouldn’t they help? A new dollar coin designed to commemorate 50 years of homosexual rights has sparked a dual backlash — from both members of Canada's LGBT community and from a social conservative group. LGBT say it isn't a true reflection of when the community got rights and social cons say it is pandering to Trudeaus “gay agenda” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When National security takes a back seat to votes we are doomed as a nation. The leader of India‘s Sikh-majority Punjab state has slammed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party after the federal government removed direct references to Sikh extremism in a recent terrorism threat report. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex is joined by Amir Attaran to discuss how Premier Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives are moving to make it harder to sue the Ontario government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this edition of Counterpoint, Alex is joined by: ANDY STINTON SMALL BUSINESS MAN MICHAEL DIAMOND WITH UPSTREAM STRATEGY GROUP. Topics include: Alberta, which heads to the polls tomorrow, could be the final nail in the Trudeau carbon tax, but for now it is in a courtroom as Ontario, and four other provinces fight to stop a tax that will drive the price up on everything. Ontario is pausing all capital funding for a proposed high-speed rail corridor from Toronto to Windsor. The previous Liberal government had planned to connect Toronto to London, Ont., by 2025 and extend the line to Windsor, Ont., by 2031. We finger wag our children over almost everything. We spend decades terrifying them about the affects of smoking- and now record numbers of kids are vaping and no one seems to care, other than the tobacco companies who can’t wait to get them addicted. A motion going to city council this week could make it a requirement for business owners to clean up cigarette butts outside their establishment. So they want businesses to have to put a receptacle outside the business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex is joined by Theo Flurry, Former NHL player and angry Albertan to discuss how a new poll suggests the majority of the Alberta's support remains with the United Conservative Party. The Global News/Ipsos poll released Monday shows that while support for the NDP has continued to grow through the campaign, it’s not enough to bridge the now 10-point gap between the official opposition. Of the 1,202 people polled — both online and by phone — UCP support is up three percentage points among the leaning and decided voters, reaching 50 per cent. Support for the NDP has also grown slightly, up one percentage point to 40 per cent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex is joined by Cindy Pom, Multimedia European Correspondent to discuss the fire destroying Historic building, Notre Dame in Paris. The towers are believed to be safe, but its roof structure has been lost, the church’s rector said Tuesday. Firefighters worked diligently to save the towers and to keep a bell from collapsing, but their efforts could not save a roof structure that dated to the year 1220, Msgr. Patrick Chauvet said. “The framework from the 13th century is called a forest, because it required a forest of trees to build it,” Chauvet said. The structure featured wood beams made from trees that were believed to have been cut down as early as the year 1160. French President Emmanuel Macron said that he’s going to launch an international fundraising campaign to restore the cathedral on Tuesday — he noted that the “worst has been avoided although the battle is not yet totally won.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why wouldnt we fight paying a tax? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this edition of Counterpoint, Alex is joined by: Anthony Furey – Sun / Postmedia Columnist & National Comment Editor Topics include: Trudeau trying to portray Doug Ford and Andrew Scheer as irresponsibly fueling division to gain political points, more fallout from the provincial budget, gas stations in Canada could be facing steep penalties and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joining Alex Pierson for ON Point is Steve Connors, the uncle of Canadian golfer, Corey Connors, who is on the leaderboard at the Master Tournament right now. Steve Connors speaks to the success of his 27-year-old nephew and his chances of winning the Green Jacket. Corey Connors is from Listowel, Ontario where there will certainly be more than a few Masters viewing parties in his honour. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If everyone needs a safe space then there won't be enough room for anyone, anywhere. A Winnipeg 'whiteout party' in support of the Winnipeg Jets playoff run is under scrutiny. A complaint by a non-profit group, Black Space Winnipeg, argues that promoting a 'whiteout' party in downtown Winnipeg can trigger people of colour. The street party has been going on since 1987 in response to the Calgary Flames' 'Sea of Red'. Not once has this 'whiteout' party been targeted to alienate communities, instead it's meant to celebrate the Winnipeg Jets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this edition of Counterpoint, Alex is joined by: Melissa Lantsman – Hill & Knowlton Strategies & John Dwyer – Director of Aereus Technologies Topics include: A big budget breakdown, looking at the strategy behind the politically-central budget, the comeback of happy hour and the spending on education. The new provincial budget brings criticism federally, how do Trudeau and Scheer think about the budget? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joining Alex Pierson for ON Point is Ontario Finance Minister, Vic Fedeli, to help break down the Ontario budget. The budget wasn't a liberal budget, but it certainly wasn't a conservative one. It did not include the draconian cuts that many anticipated, instead it went for a slow and steady approach. The Finance Minister discusses the strategy of the budget and how it will help the people of Ontario. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You know the Trudeau Liberals are nervous when they send their own MP's to spin doctor Doug Ford's first budget. Looking at this budget they should be nervous. While its not a liberal budget, it's certainly not a conservative one. The liberals are grasping at straws, attempting to blunt any good news and whip up as much fear on policy as they can. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex is joined by Professor Charles Dyer to discuss how a global team of scientists that included a Canadian researcher allowed the world to “see the unseeable” on Wednesday, revealing the first ever captured image of a black hole. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this edition of Counterpoint, Alex is joined by: John Mraz, Former Liberal War Room Director & Bill Hutchinson, Former Broadcaster, Journalist, and Seneca Professor. Topics include: Ford's 28.5 billion dollar transit announcement, Advocates decry changes to law for refugees with claims in other countries, RCMP ‘fesses up 817 days later: Planning for Trudeau’s Bahamas trip began months in advance, and much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex is joined with Premier Doug Ford to how the province hopes the federal government, the City of Toronto and York Region will chip in more than half of a $28.5-billion transit project, Ontario is willing to foot the whole bill. Ford and Transport Minister Jeff Yurek outlined the government’s $28.5 billion expansion of Ontario’s transit network in Etobicoke Wednesday morning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex is joined by Giudy Mamman, Global News Immigration Expert to discuss how refugee advocates are crying foul over proposed Liberal government changes to immigration laws that aim to keep would-be asylum seekers from entering Canada at unofficial border crossings. The Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers says the changes would rob vulnerable refugee claimants of fundamental human-rights protections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When they go high-- Trudeau will call his opponents racist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joining Alex Pierson for ON Point is Aaron Wudrick, Federal Director of the Canadian Taxpayers' Association. After the Liberal government announced they are giving $12 million from the Climate Action Fund to Loblaws to install new refrigerators, small business owners are rightfully unhappy. The Carbon Tax was introduced to help the middle-class, but this tax seems to be giving handouts to one of Canada's richest companies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you want to sell Canadians on a new tax, then don’t hand the money over to the richest people in the country who don't need it. We found out this week that Loblaws will get $12 million from the Trudeau government's Climate Action Fund. The fund is aimed at encouraging businesses to reduce their carbon footprint. Why is a multi-billion dollar company getting government handouts? Isn't the whole point of a carbon tax to give incentive to companies like Loblaws to change their bad habits to avoid a penalty? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex is joined with Zak Trolley, Engineer and Futurist to discuss how Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques has completed his first ever spacewalk. Saint-Jacques and NASA astronaut Anne McClain accomplished the feat in six hours, 29 minutes, with no apparent issues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex is joined by Richard Warman, Human Rights Lawyer and Member of the Canadian Anti-hate Network to discuss how Facebook will ban Faith Goldy, Soldiers of Odin, the Canadian Nationalist Front, and other hate groups from across its platforms, the company said on Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you want the fire to go out-- don’t poor gasoline on to it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Franklin is a real estate mortgage and security lawyer and explains why it is that so many Canadians are simply so trusting that they'll hand over big chunks of money and think that it's going to be secure because the name on the billboard is one they know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex speaks with Jessica Brost from North East EMS, a first responder at the Humboldt Bus Tragedy last April. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stop falling for all the hysterical spin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex is joined by Catherine Swift, former president and C.E.O of Canadian Federation of Independent Business and current spokesperson for Working Canadians, to take a closer look at memo's obtained by the Toronto Star, from the Ministry of Education, that say more than 3,000 teaching positions will be cut over the next four years. According to the Ontario government, those cuts will mostly be through attrition and retirement. The expected cost-saving from this is estimated near $851 million. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex is joined by Duff Conacher, Democracy Watch, to discuss comments made by former Treasury Board President and ousted Liberal MP Jane Philpott. After being kicked out of the federal Liberal caucus, alongside former Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould, Philpott said she was stunned by her removal while stating the entire SNC-Lavalin scandal could have been contained. According to Philpott, all it would have taken was a clear apology from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It seems that the young masses aren't all too pleased with Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Following several recent changes to the province's education system, students from over 700 schools walked out of their classrooms to show the provincial government that they are not happy with the changes. While that is all well and fair, where has this feeling of resistance been for the better part of the past 15 years? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex is joined by Deanna Allain, daughter of the vote to discuss how a few young women from Windsor-Essex want to see more females in the political sphere. They are headed to Parliament Hill to have their say. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex is joined by a prominent B.C. Indigenous leaderm Grand Chief Stewart Phillip. He is not mincing words when it comes to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s expulsion of Vancouver-Granville MP Jody Wilson-Raybould from the Liberal caucus. “He’s toast, absolutely toast,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs. “Once again Mr. Trudeau has demonstrated his arrogance and did absolutely the worst thing he could possibly do. There’s going to be an enormous backlash across the country in terms of Indigenous people,” Phillip said. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices