The Jim Richards Show

Jerome Powell says the US Department of Justice has threatened criminal indictment against the central bank.  Plus - the latest in the protests in Iran.  GUESTS :Moshe Lander - economics professor at Concordia UniversitySean Foley - professor of history at Middle Tennessee State University and specializes in the history of the Middle East

A new report by CAMH found that Canadians' pandemic drinking habits have stuck. Plus - a look into judicial activism in Canadian criminal law with Gavin Tighe.  GUESTS: Hayley Hamilton, a co-director of CAMH’s Institute for Mental Health Policy ResearchGavin Tighe - senior partner with Gardiner  Roberts  LLP   and chair of the firm's Litigation and Dispute Resolution...

The former mayor weighs in. Plus – The police chief responds to criticisms of how protests have been handled.   GUEST: John Tory - former Mayor of Toronto

What we’re seeing at Canadian universities. Plus – What is it like to have ICE agents in your neighbourhood? GUESTS: Garnett Genuis - MP for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan Ravi Baichwal - anchor at ABC Chicago Michael Kerzner - Ontario Solicitor General Giles Gherson - President and Chief Executive Officer - Toronto Region Board of Trade

Donald Trump has his eyes on Greenland. How will that impact us? Plus – What kind of property tax hike could we see in the budget? GUESTS: Ben Spurr - Toronto Star City Hall Bureau Chief Matt Cauz - host of TSN 1050

Are we feeling okay about the Canadian economy going in to 2026? Plus – The TTC wants more money for this year.   GUESTS:    Vassy Kapelos - host of the Vassy Kapelos Show Host of CTV’s Question Period Ron Butler - Principal Broker at Butler Mortgage Inc.  

There’s some surprising new data about a classic takeout item. Plus - What do you do about guests who won’t leave your party?   GUEST: Tanner Agar - restaurateur, Michelin recognized chef and co-host of the show Flavorphiles on Newstalk 1010  

  We take your calls. Plus – Freezing rain is causing a big mess on the roads.   GUEST:    Jessica Smith - CTV Weather Special Reporter

Our panel debates. Plus – Are you Team ‘Boil Lobsters Alive’? GUESTS: Scott Reid - CTV Political Analyst and former advisor to a Prime Minister Tim Powers - Chairman of Summa Strategies Ben Rowswell - consultant with Catalyze4 as well as a former ambassador to Venezuela Pat Tobin - General Manager, Economic Development and Culture with the City of Toronto

One city councillor weighs in. Plus – Why Canada’s oil sector shouldn’t panic.   GUESTS: Josh Matlow - Councillor for Toronto-St. Paul’s  Heather Exner-Pirot - director of energy, natural resources and environment with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute

Mark talks to someone who has actually climbed it. Plus – What’s your guilty go-to fast food meal? GUEST: Ema Dantas – who has climbed Mount Everest.

What are the privacy implications? Plus – Will the Canadian dollar improve in 2026? GUEST: Moshe Lander - economics professor at Concordia University

Why Mark doesn’t feel bad for Kentucky liquor production. Plus – The 10 Worst Movies of 2025   GUESTS: Cal Bricker - CEO of Spirits Canada Barry Hertz - Deputy Arts Editor and Film Editor for The Globe and Mail

2025 was a bad year for bears… or actually it was a good year for bears. Not so good for people. Plus – Why did a local sex toy store get a letter from the U.S. Department of War?   GUESTS: Dr. Clifford Redford - Owner and operator of Wellington Veterinary Hospital Grace Bennett - cofounder of Bonjibon Monte McGregor - criminal lawyer

Mark takes your calls. Plus - Do you have any sympathy for Ontario public servants being forced back into the office full-time next week?

Mark doesn’t think so. Plus – What is the future of AI?   GUESTS: Gitane DeSilva- President GD Strategic, former Consul General of Canada in Chicago and CEO of Canada Energy Regulator and Alberta’s Deputy Minister International and Inter-governmental relations Robert Sawyer - Hugo and Nebula Award winning SF writer, whose novel Flashforward was made into a popular TV series

Mark Towhey in for Jim Richards, this hour featured whisky expert Stuart Brown on what bottles pair with hope or heartbreak, how U.S. liquor bans are reshaping the market, and what whisky lovers can expect in 2026, followed by Matt Cauz on Canada’s surprising new struggle to stay competitive in junior hockey. Economist Moshe Lander then unpacked whether Star Trek’s philosophy can actua...

Mark Towhey is in for Jim Richards, and this hour starts with Mark tackling Toronto’s debate over high‑visibility police cars with TPA President Clayton Campbell, explored how the Toronto Zoo helps animals handle Canada’s seasons, and dug into Sylvain Charlebois’ research on whether dynamic pricing and loyalty programs are secretly costing shoppers more. Listeners wrapped the hou...

Mark Towhey digs in with Gaving Tighe, Senior Partner with Gardiner Roberts LLP, into revising the Crominal Code to outlaw intimidation and harassment. And Candy Ho HR Expert, Chair of Canadian Education and Research Institute for Counselling and a faculty member at Kwantlen Polytechnic University breaks down the effects of the new wage transparency law that takes effect January 1, 2026. 

Mark Towhey is in for Jim Richards and asks John Wright, CEO of Canada Pulse Insight if the Conservatives are now the party of the working class. Daniel Lauzon from Food For Now, shares his story about feeding those in his own backyard of Etobicoke. Jeff Chatteron from Checkmate Public Affairs, shares how to adapt to a crisis at work. And Brian Lilley explains why he thinks Liberal policies have d...

Mark Towhey brings back the discussion on Barrie’s bold high‑visibility police‑car redesign—talking with former TPS cop Mark Mendelson—and opens the phones on whether police uniforms, gear, and presentation have become too aggressive for a profession built mostly on trust, not combat. The hour then shifts to callers debating Ontario’s new pay‑transparency laws taking effect...

Mark Towhey is in for Jim Richard, and the final hour of today's show opened with podcasting leader Amanda Cupido, who shared the story of selling her podcast company, what the deal means for her future with The Walrus, and whether anyone who  isn’t  Joe Rogan can still make real money in podcasting. She also dug into the big question facing the industry: what radio can learn from...

Mark Towhey is in for Jim Richards and the hour opened with Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Research and co-author of a number of books — discussing the themes of his new book Breaking Point, exploring the widening divides in Canada—urban vs. rural, east vs. west, young vs. old—and whether anything still binds the country together. Listeners then weighed in on a provocative questio...

It is time for the Airing of Grievances Plus – Some feel good stories ahead of the holidays  

How did we as a country fare during a tumultuous year? Plus – The meaning of human connection over the holidays   GUESTS: Moshe Lander - economics professor at Concordia University Pete Bombaci - Founder and CEO of GenWell Mubin Shaikh - former undercover for CSIS and the RCMP in terrorism related investigations