The Rush with Reshmi Nair & Scott MacArthur

Mark Towhey chats with Tom Korski, Managing editor of Blacklock's Reporter, as he spills the tea on Parliament Hill. And Mark asks you if you are already thinking ahead to the 2026 municipal elections.

Mark Towhey is in for Deb Hutton and he's curious about the increase of popularity of raw milk, and finds a listener who has tried it. Are you looking to skip town and looking for a good deal? Sarah Hupalo, owner of Elite Travel Windsor answers some of Marks questions about last minute holiday plans.

Mark Towhey digs into Canada’s mysterious drop in public‑school enrolment—fewer kids in Grade 1 than Grade 12—and explores whether families are shifting to private schools, homeschooling, or simply having fewer children. He also tackles Ontario’s debate over shortening teachers’ college. On “Stupid of the Day” he highlights the province’s stagnant welfare rates, previews the day’s top CTV News stories, and opens the phones for a lively “Swipe Left” round of dating dealbreakers.

Mark Towhey dives into everything from quirky city‑life observations and pop‑culture talk to a deeper look at the realities of low‑paid security‑guard work, before shifting into calls about Canada’s naval future.Professor and military expert Christian Leuprecht, joins to unpack Donald Trump’s newly announced “Trump‑class” battleships and what modern navies—including Canada’s—actually need in an era of drone warfare and autonomous weapons.

Mark Towhey is in for Deb Hutton and opened with guest tech expert Carmi Levy, who broke down the viral Waymo‑crash confusion and then discussedand explained the Pentagon’s push toward quantum navigation. Listeners then jumped in with their most disappointing tech purchases—from useless walkie‑talkies to tablets that never found a purpose—mixed with a spirited side‑debate about raisins ruining perfectly good baked goods. The hour wrapped with sharp commentary on Toronto Police communications, escalating protest rhetoric, and a look at how U.S.‑sourced guns continue to drive violence in Canada.

Mark Towhey is in for Deb and Jim today and he kicked off the show with a mix of fun personal observations—from great subway drivers and multilingual Toronto moments to rants about watch repair, Pilates confusion, and the menace of oatmeal‑raisin cookies—before diving into listener calls about the realities of becoming a school bus driver. The highlight of the hour was a conversation with Barrie Police Chief Rich Johnston, who explained why the city’s new bright yellow-and-blue “Euro-style” cruisers improve visibility, officer safety, and community awareness. The hour wrapped with calls debating whether Toronto should move toward more high‑visibility police cars too.

What caused it?Plus – Hot Mic Moments with Jim GUESTS: Daniel Bernhard - CEO for the Institute for Canadian Citizenship Richard Crouse - host of the podcast Maple Syrup For Your Eyes

Jim has complete coverage. Plus – The Best Music Stories of 2025 GUESTS: Eric Alper - Canadian music journalist and publicist

The political picture ahead of the midterms Plus – Jim’s thinking about the legacy of Rob Reiner GUESTS: Mark Mendelson - Newstalk 1010 Crime Expert and former homicide detective Joe Walsh - Host of "Social Contract with Joe Walsh." Former Republican Candidate for President. Former Congressman

Are you satisfied with his answer? GUEST: Diana Martin - Senior Director, Clinical Integration and Partnerships at Kids Help Phone

The OPP unveils a major car theft bust Plus – Talking to the protesters who caroled outside Doug Ford’s house GUESTS: Daniel Tate - Executive Director at IntegrityTO Detective Inspector Scott Wade with the OPP Bruno Dobrusin with the York South Weston Tenant Union

The Premier wraps up a big year Plus – Why a delegation of Canadians was denied entry to the West Bank GUESTS: Doug Ford – Ontario Premier Adam Zivo – National Post columnist

Weighing in on plans for Niagara Falls. Plus – The top baby names for 2025 GUESTS: Stephen Crawford - MPP for Oakville and Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement

Deb gets answers from one of our legal experts. Plus – Ontario is not planning to sell US alcohol. GUESTS: Gavin Tighe - senior partner with Gardiner Roberts LLP and chair of the firm's Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group

Deb speaks with an investigative reporter Plus – Should vacant homes house low-income families? GUESTS: Kelly Bennett - freelance investigative journalist

Is this the right move?Plus – What one former Ontario premier thinks about the impact of Trump GUESTS: Sara Lefton - Chief Development Officer, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto Bob Rae - Former Premier of Ontario and former Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations

Were you also doing childcare while working from home? GUESTS: Siobhan Morris - CTV Queen’s Park Bureau Chief Richard Crouse - host of the podcast Maple Syrup For Your Eyes

Deb hosts a panel Plus – What a US commentator thinks about the Canadian healthcare system GUESTS: Jamie Ellerton - Founding Partner at Conaptus and Advisor to Political and Business Leaders Isha Chaudhuri - former provincial spokesperson, now a senior consultant with Oyster Group

What new numbers say about his chances. Plus – Police say serial killer responsible for murders of 3 women in Toronto in 1980s and ’90s GUESTS: Shachi Kurl - President of the Angus Reid Institute Steve Ryan - CP24 crime reporter and former homicide detective

Deb doesn’t have a problem with this. Plus - Helping kids with their mental health over the holidays GUEST: Dr. Nina Mafrici - Registered Clinical Psychologist and co-director of Toronto Psychology & Wellness Group

GUESTS: Ron Butler - Principal Broker at Butler Mortgage Inc.John MooreRoger Ashby Jessica Smith - CTV Weather Special ReporterListener Mina - her mom made an incredible donation for the Christmas Wish

GUESTS: Steven Del Duca - Vaughan MayorGeorge Stroumboulopoulos

We take your calls Plus – Would you snitch on your neighbour? GUEST: David Goodman - Owner and CEO at Heaven Can Wait Emergency First Aid Inc.

Are you satisfied with this outcome? Plus – Why an MPP’s Christmas card drew criticism from a former mayor GUESTS: Matt Elliott - contributing columnist at the Toronto Star Siobhan Morris - CTV Toronto Queen's Park Bureau Chief Bobbi-Ann Brady - MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk

Why you might be paying more this holiday season Plus – The latest on talks between Air Transat and the pilots’ union GUESTS: Gabor Lukacs - President at Air Passenger Rights.ca Terah McKinnon - Senior Communications Advisor at NSLC

Are you carrying something on you for self-protection? Plus - Toronto is introducing fare capping for TTC riders in 2026 GUESTS: Guidy Mamann - Managing Partner and Immigration Lawyer at Mamann Sandaluk LLP James Pasternak - Toronto City Councillor - Ward 6 - York Centre

Deb gets insight from a friend of the show who was there Plus – Are Justin Trudeau and Katy Perry doing a ‘soft launch’? GUESTS: Bob Richardson - Newstalk 1010 Contributor and Public Affairs Consultant Richard Crouse - host of the podcast Maple Syrup For Your Eyes

Why are bylaw officers enforcing for FIFA? Plus - How do you make the call on keeping kids home when they’re sick? GUEST: John Wright - veteran pollster and head of the polling firm Canada Pulse Insights

Do you like this tone? Plus - Do you buy that a couple has never had an argument? GUEST: Karen Gordon - Gordon Strategies

Deb takes your calls Plus - Are you team AMAPCEO or team Ontario? GUEST: Bradley Chaplick – partner at LEVITT DI LELLA DUGGAN & CHAPLICK LLP

Is this the right move? Plus – How chaotic is your Spotify Wrapped?GUEST: Sandra Hawken - president and CEO of Holland Bloorview Foundation

Deb takes your calls Plus - Are people satisfied with the GO Trains? GUESTS: Paul Calandra - Ontario Education Minister Adam Silvertown - founder of VetMeds.ca

Deb gets answers. Plus – Does your dog have your personality?GUESTS: Lorraine Sommerfeld - columnist at driving.ca Neil Heatherington - CEO of Daily Bread food bank

How is the province overseeing doctor billings?Plus – Deb weighs in on TCDSB Chair Markus de Dominico’s comments GUEST: Siobhan Morris - CTV Toronto Queen’s Park Bureau reporter

How medication is changing how we eat Plus - Carney to shuffle cabinet after Guilbeault resignation GUESTS: Dr. Mitch Shulman - Newstalk 1010 Chief Medical Analyst Mark Mendelson - Newstalk 1010 Crime expert and former homicide detective Scott Reid - CTV Political Analyst and former advisor to a Prime Minister

Deb takes your calls Plus – What would make Toronto a better place to live? GUEST: Shannon Lee Simmons - certified financial planner and author based in Toronto

Is there anywhere in the GTA this is possible? Plus – Who’s got a big sign?GUEST: Bob Richardson - NEWSTALK 1010 contributor and public affairs consultant Richard Crouse - host of the podcast Maple Syrup For Your Eyes

Jim Richards is in for Deb today Plus – Jim’s Black Friday advice GUEST: Dan Delmar - Managing partner at the comms firm TNKR Media and contributor to CJAD 800 Montreal

Should Ontario do the same thing? Plus – Christmas tree farmers get ready for the busiest time of year GUESTS: Kim Schofield - Criminal Defense Lawyer Shirley Brennan - Executive Director of Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario

Is this the wrong move? Plus - Carney signs major energy agreement with Alberta, laying out conditions for new oil pipeline GUESTS: Heather Exner-Pirot - Senior Fellow and Director of Energy, Natural Resources and Environment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute Peter Bethlenfalvy - Ontario Finance Minister Dr. Michelle Foster - Registered Clinical Psychologist, co-director of Toronto Psychology & Wellness Group and board member of Ontario Psychological Association

Why ‘Who Cares’ could backfire. Plus – Your worst airplane stories GUESTS: Scott Reid - CTV Political Analyst and former advisor to a Prime Minister Dr. Mitch Shulman - Newstalk 1010 Chief Medical Analyst

A behind the scenes debate turns in to calls from you. Plus – Why AI toys are causing concern this holiday season GUESTS: Brian Lilley - Toronto Sun columnist Carmi Levy - tech expert Clayton Campbell - President of the Toronto Police Association