The Alex Pierson Show

Latest Episodes:

Horror Film Highlights Stigma Around HIV Dec 01, 2022

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It's only 20 minutes in length, but this horror film produced by Toronto's Casey House is being used to highlight the stigma associated with those who are HIV positive. Alex spoke with Joanne Simons who is the CEO of Casey House, to talk about the film, and where they've come in the way of HIV.

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Will The Feds Look To Decriminalize Illegal Narcotics? Dec 01, 2022

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Tom Korski, Managing Editor of Blacklock's Reporter joined us last hour to discuss how a federal drug policy is headed to “ultimately decriminalization” of illegal narcotics, a Liberal MP yesterday told the Commons health committee. Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, who attended the hearing, remained silent. Minister Bennett did not contradict MP Hanley’s claim. That and more deep dive things into Ottawa with Tom.

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Christine McVie, Fleetwood Mac Singer-Songwriter, Dies At 79 Dec 01, 2022

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It's a sad day in the world of music as we have lost famous singer-songwriter, Christine McVie. She was well known for her role in Fleetwood Mac and helped the band write numerous hit songs, including Songbird. Eric Alper is a Music Publicist and Self Proclaimed 'Musicaholic,' and joined Alex to talk about it.

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Medically Assisted Death Over Seeking Support Nov 30, 2022

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We have the most permissive euthanasia laws in the world and it's not something we should be proud of. Individuals with disabilities are wanting to acquire medically assisted death as opposed to getting the supports that our government has promised, because those supports just don't exist. Isabel Grant is a Professor Specializing in Criminal and Mental Health Law at the Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia, and joined Alex to talk about the current programs in place, and what people are saying.

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Metrolinx Axes Plan To Chop Trees At Osgoode Hall Nov 30, 2022

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After a lot of pushback from the public, Metrolinx has said they will hold off on chopping down some 200 year old trees outside of Osgoode Hall in place of a metro station. Alex is joined by Eric Davies, Ecologist and PhD Candidate with the faculty of forestry at the University of Toronto. Eric breaks down the decision and also says that it might've been a good idea to chop these trees anyways.

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Chinese Police Cracking Down On Covid Protests Nov 30, 2022

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China’s vast security apparatus has moved swiftly to smother mass protests that swept the country, with police patrolling streets, checking cell phones and even calling some demonstrators to warn them against a repeat. Some are saying that this carries the same weight as what we saw in Tianamen Square, but is it getting to that point yet? Kay is a Chinese student currently studying in Vancouver, and formerly worked in Shanghai as a legal professional for over a decade, and she joined Alex to talk about what we're seeing.

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RCMP Investigating Chinese Interference In Canada Nov 30, 2022

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The RCMP is investigating broad foreign interference by China in Canadian affairs, says Commissioner Brenda Lucki. She said, “In the context of the 2019 federal general election, the RCMP did not have any criminal investigations into election-related activities as there was no evidence at the time...” To help talk about it, Alex is joined by Dr. Christian Leuprecht is a Professor at the Royal Military College of Canada and Queen's University, also an Expert on Security and Defence at the McDonald Laurier Institute.

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Ontario Passes Housing Bill, But There's Still More Criticism Nov 30, 2022

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Ontario passed a housing bill Monday intended to spur development but critics say it will lead to higher property taxes, weaken conservation authority powers, and not actually make homes more affordable. Alex was joined by Matti Siemiatycki, Director of the Infrastructure Institute and Professor of Geography and Planning at the University of Toronto, to talk about it.

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What Is $135 Million Going To? Nov 29, 2022

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Storage of 4 mobile field hospitals will cost taxpayers more than $135 million this year, records show. Public Works Minister, Helena Jaczek, said she was "completely unaware of,” the storage costs. The storage costs follow a sole-sourced $150 million contract to SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. for field hospitals: “That is not exactly directed to preventing or treating Covid.” Tom Korski, Managing Editor of Blacklocks Reporter, joined us with the details, and more deep dive stories from Ottawa.

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Toronto City Council Revolts Against Strong Mayor Powers Nov 28, 2022

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Toronto Mayor Tory has done something he hasn't been able to do before, and that's unify the council. The caveat is that they're unified because they all oppose the new 'strong mayor' powers that Tory has gotten, which would allow him to make any decision he wants without a vote from council. Ben Spurr is the Toronto Star's City Hall Reporter, and joined Alex to breakdown what happened in the city council meeting on Thursday.

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