This is Toronto

Noah Rudder didn't think he was a good student, growing up. He shares the story of his path to the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. Plus, with Canada tightening immigration targets, Ukrainians who fled the war are pushing for a pathway to permanent residency. A Ukrainian who fled to Canada makes the case, along with the director of the settlement group Pathfinders for Ukraine.

CBC guest host Jill Dempsey speaks to biking law specialist, lawyer David Shellnut about the government's move to protect itself from being sued by cycling or pedestrian victims in its bike lanes removal bill. Plus, former Wiggles star Emma Watkins, a.k.a. Emma Memma, comes to studio in costume. She kicks off the 2024 Santa Claus Parade.

John Allen is a Senior Fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, and former Canadian ambassador to Israel. He weighs in on the arrest warrants issued against Israel's Prime Minister, and a Hamas leader. And tech analyst Carmi Levy explains why so many users are flocking away from Elon Musk's X, formerly Twitter.

Timothy Danson, the lawyer for the families of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy, reacts to news they aren't allowed to attend the parole hearing of Paul Bernardo. Plus, a measles outbreak in Canada? Immunologist and McMaster professor Dawn Bowdish explains.

Taylor Swift fans in Halton Region are out thousands of dollars in a ticket scam. Chris Pyke shares how his family was pulled into it, and digital forensics expert Ryan Duquette explains what you should look out for online. Plus, Ukraine's Consul General in Toronto reflects on the war with Russia, 1,000 days after the invasion.

Council of Ontario Universities president Steve Orsini argues the financial position universities find themselves in will prevent them from being able to accommodate more students in the coming years. And reporter Haydn Watters explains how Rail Deck Park, an idea for a greenspace above a rail corridor in downtown Toronto, has turned into a massive condo proposal.

A coroner's inquest deemed Soleiman Faqiri's death at the hands of correctional officers a homicide, but his brother Yusuf says the province still hasn't acted on key recommendations from the inquest. Plus, David Paterson went from being an auto industry executive, to Ontario's representative in Washington. He shares his plan for dealing with the Trump administration.

As the incoming U.S. President stacks his cabinet with people who have criticized Canada's immigration and trade policies - and even openly trolled Prime Minister Trudeau - three strategists weigh in on the political challenges and opportunities. Plus, armed with facts and figures, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow discusses how she plans to confront the province on their plan to rip out bike lanes.

Toronto Police Association president Clayton Campbell details what happened when officers doing a bail check got caught up in an enormous gun battle. And a very different police story - Hamilton's Andy Ganza describes his friend Erixon Kabera, who was shot and killed by police this past weekend.

Why 65-year-old Swiftie Carol Weaver is driving eight hours alone from Pennsylvania to see Taylor Swift in Toronto. Plus, meet the man at the helm of one of the most dramatic changes to a neighbourhood in this city's history - the revitalization of Regent Park.