The Alex Pierson Show

Russian President, Vladimir Putin, starting making threats this week, saying that, “To defend Russia and our people, we doubtlessly will use all weapons resources at our disposal... This is not a bluff.” While the illegal invasion into Ukraine was the main topic of discussion during the UN General Assembly this week, many are wondering if these are idle threats, or if Putin could be serious this time. Dr Erika Simpson, Associate Professor of International Politics at Western University, the President of the Canadian Peace Research Association and the Author of ‘NATO and the Bomb,' joined Alex to talk about it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a decade, a lawsuit involving famous tourist attraction, Marineland, and a former trainer, has now been resolved. This means the last two walruses in the park will be removed from the facility and brought into the wild. Phil Demers is a former mammal trainer of Marineland's stadium show and joined Alex to talk about this win, and the future of Smooshi the walrus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is that time of the week where we check in with Blacklock's Reporter, where we find all those deep dive stories happening in Ottawa, and at the heart of it we find Managing Editor, Tom Korski. Today, Tom speaks to Alex about how Attorney General David Lametti said yesterday, that criminal law should not punish misguided drug dealers who just want to “put bread on the table." He also talks about how a police blacklist of bank account holders named as Freedom Convoy sympathizers was emailed to lobbyists, records disclose. That and much more on today's Blacklock's Check In. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While many of us are feeling the pinch on our wallets due to the rising costs of everyday goods, those who are feeling it even more are individuals who are in social assistance programs. Kat Eschner, TVO’s Affordability Reporter, came on to talk to Alex about it and why TVO is introducing the affordability beat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One in six households in Ontario is now struggling with food insecurity.. And the GTA food banks are facing the highest demand in their history due to the rising cost of food and rent. We spoke with Devi Arasanayagam, Co-founder and Chair of the Fort York Food Bank, who’s volunteered with the food bank for 24 years. Devi spoke with Alex and highlighted the changing demographic of those using the food bank’s services. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the Toronto Municipal election coming up in a few weeks, how can we possibly be informed voters when there's just so many names on the ballot and little way of getting to know the candidates who are running for our city? There's only one debate confirmed, so does this question the health of our local democracy? Dr. Myer Siemiatycki, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Politics and Public Administration at Toronto Metropolitan University, spoke with Alex about this election and the effects of this can be to our future as a city. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Pierson calls out a series of City of Toronto videos suggesting children need to isolate from friends if they aren't vaccinated against COVID-19. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alberta Premier, Jason Kenney was at Bloor-Yonge subway station, trying to lure Torontonians away. Kenney wants skilled workers to leave the GTA and come work in Alberta. You can read more about the campaign here.jchapman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's not uncommon for a hashtag to gain traction if it's good enough, which might get you a few thousand interactions. But what if that number suddenly went up to 500,000 interactions? That's what happened with the #TrudeauMustGo campaign on Twitter. What started off as a simple tweet to Justin Trudeau about his comments made during the pandemic about how people who don't take the vaccine, "...don’t believe in science, they are misogynistic, often racist," ended up becoming something much, much bigger. Martin Belanger is the one who started it all and he joined Alex to talk about it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With new inflation numbers coming out today from the Bank of Canada, many turn to mortgage rates and how a spike in rates are causing many Canadians to feel like they can't keep up. Especially those with a variable mortgage rate. We spoke with Shawn Stillman, Principal Broker at Mortgage Outlet, who said the government and Bank of Canada aren’t being honest about how they want to bring down inflation - hint - they want you to spend less. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices