The Alex Pierson Show

Alex speaks with York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween following public backlash over his recent comments urging residents to comply with armed intruders during home invasions. The statement comes in the wake of a horrific case in Vaughan where a father was shot and killed in front of his children. Chief MacSween stands by his comments—but is this advice a necessary safety precaution, or an alarming sign of lost control? In this segment, Alex and the Chief discuss: The reasoning behind the controversial advice; Rising violent crime in York Region, including home invasions and carjackings; How police are responding—and what residents can realistically do to protect themselves. A direct and urgent conversation about public safety, policing challenges, and the trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guests: Sabrina Maddeaux, Director of Communications at Global Public Affairs & Columnist, and Ariella Kimmel, Executive Director of ABC Toronto and President of Winston Wilmot Strategies Alex is joined by Sabrina Maddeaux and Ariella Kimmel to unpack three major stories making headlines: "Comply with the Thugs?" York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween faces backlash after telling the public to comply during home invasions—days after a father was killed in front of his kids. Is this leadership, or surrender? Poilievre vs. Temporary Foreign Workers: Pierre Poilievre calls for an end to the TFW program, but critics accuse him of dog-whistle politics. Is this bold policy or political pandering? Doug Ford’s Crown Royal Stunt: The Premier pours out whiskey in protest of job losses—but the plant isn't closing yet, and production continues elsewhere. Is this effective messaging or a political misfire? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guest: Tom Korski, Managing Editor at Blacklock's Reporter https://www.blacklocks.ca/ Alex is joined by Tom Korski to break down the top political and policy stories making headlines: Austerity Budget Ahead? Prime Minister Mark Carney says he will table an “austerity budget” this fall, as the federal deficit runs 55 percent higher than projected. What are the implications for Canadians and government spending? Foreign Labour Under Fire: With unemployment among Canadian students at a 15-year high, Conservative MPs are calling for an end to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Meanwhile, the Immigration Department defends it as a way to “attract talent.” Marijuana Road Testing Lags: A Public Safety report shows that devices used to detect marijuana-impaired drivers are so unreliable that some police forces are waiting for better technology. What does this mean for roadside safety and enforcement? Academic Freedom and Global Conflict: A B.C. Supreme Court decision rules that university faculties can pass resolutions on international issues, such as the war in Gaza. The ruling comes after Simon Fraser University faculty members challenged anti-Israel motions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Korski, Managing Editor of Blacklock’s Reporter (⁠blacklocks.ca⁠⁠), joins Alex Pierson to discuss: 1. A cabinet appointee named to oversee “nation-building projects” was cited for failing in her duties in a 2023 Federal Court case, records show. Dawn Farrell, named Friday as CEO of the Major Projects Office, was taken to Court by federal Access To Informationlawyers.https://www.blacklocks.ca/ceo-failed-in-legal-duties/. 2. Taxpayers are owed updated figures from Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne on the cost of subsidies for electric auto battery factories, says the Budget Office. Champagne had defended billions in subsidies as a “game changer for the nation” prior to industry slowdowns.https://www.blacklocks.ca/want-update-on-ev-subsidy/. 3. Cabinet to date is 89 percent shy of its target to plant two billion trees, figures show. The program announced by then-Environment Minister Catherine McKenna in 2019 has cost $267.7 million so far.“To date over 228 million trees have been planted representing important progress,”https://www.blacklocks.ca/2b-trees-programs-89-short. 4. Federal payroll costs total a record $71.1 billion annually and are headed for more than $76 billion based on current trends, the Budget Officehttps://www.blacklocks.ca/govt-payroll-tops-71-billion/. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Korski, Managing Editor of Blacklock’s Reporter (blacklocks.ca⁠), joins Alex Pierson to discuss: The “blackface” firing overturned: A labour board has overturned the 2021 dismissal of a Toronto schoolteacher who wore a Halloween costume that unintentionally resembled blackface. The arbitrator ruled the appearance was inadvertent, citing a question the teacher was asked: whether he was aware of Justin Trudeau’s own blackface controversy. Unproven organ‑donor strike threat: Labour Minister Patty Hajdu's claim that a legal strike by 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants jeopardized deliveries of life-saving medications and organ tissue could not be substantiated—raising concerns she may have fabricated the scenario to justify strike restrictions. blacklocks.ca “Sexy drag” at Pride Week: A provocative scheduling choice for public service Pride week—featuring a “sexy drag rock star” at a workday bingo event—raises questions about appropriateness and cost, given that the internal notice did not disclose expenses. Widening tax auditors’ powers: Proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act would empower Canada Revenue Agency auditors with new tools—allowing them to impose daily $50 fines and to compel oaths under threat of perjury—to enhance audit “efficiency and effectiveness.” Parks Canada corrects PM record: Parks Canada rushed to designate former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney as a national historic person, after it emerged that his Liberal predecessors had been honored much more promptly. The delay of 25 years—revealed by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board—prompted the belated correction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices