On Point With Alex Pierson

A video was recently released showing 5 hostages being held by Hamas who were initially taken after a terror attack in October. One father saw that his daughter was still alive in the tape and is praying for her return, but questions if she's even still safe. Host Alex Pierson is joined by this father, Shlomi Berger, the father of Agam Berger, as he shares what is the most painful experience in his life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Traffic and congestion have built to insane levels in the past few years in Toronto...but could forcing drivers to pay a congestion charge not only address congestion, but also put some much-needed money in the city coffers? Host Alex Pierson is joined by Jennifer Keesmaat, the Founder of the Keesmaat group and the former chief city planner for Toronto. Jennifer is in favour of introducing this charge and its benefits, while Alex remains unconvinced. Take a listen to see who you would agree with. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Korski, Managing Editor of Blacklocks Reporter joined Alex Pierson to discuss Federal aid worth more than a half billion annually reduced the ''point-in-time count of homeless persons by about 6,000 people.'' Canada's chief bank inspector yesterday said the interest rate shocks on mortgage renewals remain a top risk, Housing Minister Sean Fraser yesterday said critics must ''not interfere''' in his plan to build 3.9 million homes. All this and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Ontario, there are regulations in place to ensure a workplace cannot be too cold, but what about when its too hot? Well, guest host Anthony Furey had the same question and asked someone leading the charge to change the books in Ontario, the official opposition critic for Climate Change, NDP MPP Peter Tabuns, who explains why his party believes now more than ever this needs to be laid out in law. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The city of Toronto is moving forward with its renaming and rebranding of Yonge-Dundas Square to Sankofa Square, and its going to at least cost a few hundred thousand dollars if everything goes right...and much more if there are any delays. Is this really a good use of city funds, especially since we know just how broke Toronto really is? Guest host Anthony Furey is joined by a member of the "Downtown Concerned Citizens Organization" Dana McKiel, who breaks down just how dissatisfied Torontonians are with the rebrand, and why these funds could easily be used for something much more substantial and needed. Then, Anthony and Dana open up the phone lines and answer some questions from listeners on the issue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After weeks of uncertainty, Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has announced that her party will be tabling the Capital Gains Tax motion before the house rises for summer break. She also has said that regardless if it is passed into law, the 2024 budget has said it will come into effect on June 25th. Is that right, and is it really the hill the Liberals want to die on? To get answers to this and more, guest host Anthony Furey turns to the CEO of BetaKit, Siri Agrell who has a firm understanding of this motion, and who it will be effecting. SIRI AGRELL: Siri Agrell LinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Occasionally a crime is committed in Toronto that has all the makings of a Hollywood movie, and this is no exception. Guest Host Anthony Furey speaks with The Toronto Star City Hall Bureau Chief David Rider about a story he just broke, in which a former long-time bureaucrat for the City of Toronto was arrested and charged for his alleged connection to an illegal gambling ring operated by a Hell's Angel's hitman! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a weird move, the federal government announced a new framework to tackle rising auto theft across the country...but only did so on a Monday when much of the country was not working or watching the news. What could've been the reason for this, and what is new that we haven't heard before? Guest host Anthony Furey will not only help you understand but is also joined by Hank Idsigna who is a former Toronto Police Investigator as well as the 640 CFIQ crime specialist. Anthony asks Hank just why it's so hard to keep people's vehicles safe, why certain brands are being targeted over others and when Canadians can expect to wake up and not find their cars and trucks stolen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi and other Iranian officials were killed after their helicopter crashed over the weekend, leaving many to wonder just what kind of ramifications could come from this. Guest host Anthony Furey had these same questions and is joined by Kaveh Shahrooz, a Lawyer and Toronto-based Human Rights Activist who is extremely versed in the Iranian regime. Kaveh and Anthony discuss what the atmosphere in Iran is right now, why Kaveh believes that this will not bring any serious changes to Iranian politics and who the former Iranian foreign minister blames for this crash. Kaveh Shahrooz Social Media: Kaveh Shahrooz - X Account Kaveh Shahrooz - LinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Bank of Canada inflation numbers were finally released, and show that across the country inflation is getting back to manageable levels. But with millions lined up to renegotiate their mortgage payments soon, will it be enough to keep people from foreclosure? Guest host Anthony Furey is joined by Dr. Ian Lee, an associate Professor at Sprott School of Business at Carleton University, who has a strong grasp of the real estate and financial markets. Dr. Lee helps to explain how this was an expected move from the Bank of Canada, how it could affect mortgages and ultimately how it could help Canadians save money. Dr. Ian Lee Social Media Accounts Dr. Ian lee - Carleton University, Sprott School of Business Dr. Ian Lee - X account Dr. Ian lee - LinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Korski, Managing Editor of Blacklocks Reporter joined Alex Pierson to discuss a third of marijuana users still buy from black market dealers who offer better product, price and service, says in-house Department of Public Safety research, Federal prisons this summer will begin buying full body scanners five years after Parliament approved their use. All this and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aiden Pleterski ''Crypto King'' is arrested and charged and Durham Police classify this as the largest fraud investigation that they've seen in that region. He is...arrested on bail. Host Alex Pierson speaks with Norman Groot, founder and managing Lawyer of Investigation Council PC. This is an 18 month investigation. Is this a sense of relief or anger? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

''Let's axe the gas tax during the summer.'' Given with what Canadians are going through, let's axe the gas tax from Victoria Day long weekend and all the way up to Labour Day weekend. Host Alex Pierson speaks with Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Opposition Party of Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Canada's infamous "crypto king" Aiden Pleterski was just arrested! This is yet another major player in the crypto field who turned out to be misusing funds...but just how prevalent is this issue? Greg Gard, the Principal Investigator and Business Development Consultant for Investigative Solutions Network, and a former Toronto Police officer completely understands this issue, and helps our host Alex Pierson not only get a better grasp of the crypto world...but also why its so volatile for investors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once again, the TTC is in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, especially in light of the exclusive Global News Coverage of the 4 times hydraulic fluids spilt onto line 2...but the public was never made aware. Is there an ongoing PR crisis at the TTC? Who better to help host Alex Pierson answer that question other than the internationally respected "Train Daddy" A.K.A. Andy Byford, the Former Commissioner of Transport for London, TTC, New York Metro, Sydney RailCo, & now works with Amtrak. Byford tells Alex that when he was the TTC commissioner, he made sure to be public-facing and always be truthful with the public...a lesson that the current leadership could take a page from. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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