Mike Yawney, "The Gadget Guy"

Gillian Petit, a senior research associate with the University of Calgary's economics department

WELCOME TO THE MWSA PODCAST FOR TUESDAY, DEC. 10TH

In a conversation on this week’s “The West Block”… Global News Ottawa Bureau Chief and Host, Mercedes Stephenson spoke with Mark Weber, the National President of the Customs and Immigration Union. Mercedes shares details on her conversations with Mr. Weber – on the current ‘state’ of border control in Canada – and how he believes we can do better – when it comes to keeping Canadians safe.

Next – the ‘stats’ are in – and 3 in 10 adults would watch Christmas films all year round if they could, while almost half can recite lines from their favourites word for word! But just what is it that keeps us coming back for the same moments year after year? We dig into the ‘power’ of “Christmas Nostalgia” with Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist - Dr. Amber Johnston from UK-based “Healthy Mind Psychology”

And finally – having trouble finding that ‘perfect’ Christmas gift for the ‘Techie’ in your life? Not to worry – we’ve got you covered…..We catch up with ‘The Gadget Guy’ – Mike Yawney for some suggestions to satisfy even the most ‘savvy’ “Techie” this holiday season – including an ‘E-Reader’ like you’ve never seen before!

Dr. Amber Johnston, clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist

Mark Parsons, Chief economist at ATB Financial, an Alberta government-owned bank

Jack Cunningham is Fellow and Assistant Professor at Trinity College in the University of Toronto, where he is also Program Coordinator at the Bill Graham Centre for Contemporary International History

Mercedes Stephenson, Global News Ottawa Bureau Chief and Host of The West Block

Ariel Ng, Development Coordinator at the University of Toronto Mississauga

Steven Banks, Entertainment, Pop Culture - and Trending Expert

Doug Young, Chair of the Calgary Children's Foundation