The Alex Pierson Show

It is that time of the week where we take a deep dive into all things Ottawa, and for that we bring on Tom Korski, Managing Editor at Blacklock's Reporter to dig up all those juicy nuggets if information that we don't always get to. Today, Tom talks to Alex about how Cabinet commissioned confidential research on federal rent controls. He also talks about the CRA using behavioural research to try to boost tax compliance. All of that and more on today's Blacklock's Check In. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So we got inflation news today– and the Bank of Canada may be happy with the direction inflation rates are moving. They are set to announce another interest rate change on October 26th. The Bank may see todays numbers as proof aggressively raising rates is working, but it isn’t working for everyday Canadians being left behind. Dr. Ian Lee, Associate Professor with the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University, joined Alex to talk about the numbers we're seeing today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Pierson encourages conversations to be had around recent social media images of a teacher at 'Oakville Trafalgar High School.' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toronto City Council is made up of 26 members from across the city, each trying to represent the areas in which they preside. But as one candidate for Toronto Mayor says, that council is made up of people who are far from the citizens that they represent, and should work towards more action than talk. Chloe Brown is a candidate for Mayor of Toronto, and chatted with Alex about the issue of diversity, and what the city can do better under new leadership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After losing his eyesight due to diabetes, Russell "Papa" Mackay has started an initiative to raise money for SickKids Hospital. The 84 year old grandfather began a five day walking journey stretching 75 kilometres from Guelph to Toronto began on Friday and Alex spoke with him while he was walking to see what the initiative is all about, and how much they've raise so far. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new Abacus Data reveals that two in three Canadians (66%) are either concerned, disappointed, surprised or angry to learn that Canada ranks 59th out of 187 countries in the percentage of women that make up national parliament (since the survey, Canada has fallen to 60th place). And the majority (63%) think political parties or the government — rather than women themselves — should be responsible for ensuring equal representation of men and women in politics. Why is this the case? To join Alex about this topic, we brought on Shari Graydon, CEO of Informed Opinions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With King Charles III now our official sovereign, many Canadians are debating about the idea of Canada sticking with the monarchy, or cutting ties to it. Many say to open it up to a referendum to decide if Canada should cut open the constitution and restructure it. But is it that easy? Christina Blizzard, a long-time journalist and Royal Commentator, joined Alex to talk about it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a lack of academic freedom when it comes to universities across this country, and now professors are afraid to have the conversations that are necessary for good learning by self censoring. How is this harming our education system? Joining Alex is Dr. Christopher Dummitt is Professor of Canadian history at Trent University. He is the co-author of a recent Macdonald-Laurier Institute paper titled "The viewpoint diversity crisis at Canadian universities: Political homogeneity, self-censorship, and threats to academic freedom." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The principal architect of the Toronto 18 has been denied full parole, but it doesn't mean he's not going to be enjoying freedom. After being put in prison for life with no chance of parole for ten years, he's now been given full day parole in Quebec and is even allowed to come to the GTA. Mubin Shaikh, a Professor of Public Safety at Seneca College and a former security intelligence and counter terrorism operative, joined Alex to talk about this case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After two years of searching since former Toronto Police Chief, Mark Saunders, announced his stepping down, and James Ramer being the interim chief, we finally have a candidate announced. Myron Demkiw is a 32 year veteran of the TPS and will be appointed as the service's new police chief. How will this new chief stack up to the issues plaguing the police service now? To talk about it, Alex is joined by Dave Perry, Former Toronto Police Officer and 640 Toronto’s Security Analyst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices