The Big Story

Happy Holidays from Frequency Podcast Network! Over the next couple weeks, we'll be joined by the Friends of Frequency (FOF).In this special feed drop on The Big Story, Host Mike Eppel speaks to Eric Kam, professor at Toronto Metropolitan University to reflect back on some of the biggest business headlines of 2025. They discuss the dramatic end of Hudson's Bay Company, Canada's potential in the oil industry, and how AI may brace for consumer downfall in 2026. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Happy Holidays from Frequency Podcast Network! Over the next couple weeks, we'll be joined by the Friends of Frequency (FOF).In this special feed drop on The Big Story, Parliament Hill Bureau Chief for CityNews Cormac MacSweeney and political correspondent Glen McGregor discuss the biggest political headlines of 2025. They recap Justin Trudeau's resignation, the 2025 Federal Election, the future of the NDP and what lies ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney's uphill battle with US President Donald Trump. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

It's been a tumultuous year for the economy to say the least, especially in the interest of real estate and housing.The Bank of Canada cut interest rates nine times, yet buyers are still erring on the side of caution, waiting for some sort of stability before diving head-first into the market.Host Mike Eppel speaks to Shawn Zigelstein, broker and team leader for Royal Lepage to see what Canadians could expect heading into 2026. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Starting in 2029, the Oscars will be making its way to the big screen - YouTube. The change will come after more than 50 years of Disney's ABC having exclusive rights to the live broadcast. It's not the first shift Hollywood has seen from traditional broadcast spaces onto streaming media platforms, as the industry is looking to adapt to younger, online consumers.Host Maria Kestane speaks to Paolo Granata, associate professor at the University of Toronto to discuss the opportunities the Academy Awards has as it prepares to enter a new broadcast space, and how the media ecosystem is more intertwined than we think. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Last week, Ottawa announced a year for shovels to hit the ground for its long-awaited high-speed rail line connecting Toronto to Quebec City. Beginning in 2029, construction will be starting for the line's first rail segment, connecting Montreal to Ottawa via 200km worth of tracks.But both the government and the Crown corporation overseeing the project, Alto, have admitted they haven't quite nailed down an exact (or rough estimate) of a dollar figure attached to helping the rail line come to fruition.Host Alan Carter speaks to Ryan-Katz Rosene, associate professor at the University of Ottawa who studies sustainable transportation, to discuss if this announcement will actually make waves in this high-speed rail coming to life, or if Canadians will be stuck in limbo for more decades to come. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Hollywood is reeling from the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner after they were found dead in their Los Angeles home on Sunday night. The Los Angeles District Attorney has filed murder chargers against one of their sons, Nick Reimer, for the deaths - punishable by either life in prison or the death penalty. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Sadaf Ahsan, culture writer and co-host of The Reheat to discuss what we should be watching for as the investigation unfolds, and the legacy Rob left on Hollywood and society at large. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

1 in 5 Canadians are 65 or older, meaning some difficult conversations may be held around the dinner table this holiday season. Memory loss, mood swings, mixing up names and birthdays - where does it cross the line from natural age-related decline and into decrease of cognitive ability? And how do we tackle these tough conversations, especially for the 'sandwich generation'?Host Maria Kestane speaks to Dr. Howard Chertkow, Leading Canadian Research Scientist at Baycrest Health Science to discuss how to spot the difference between organic, age-related habits versus symptoms of cognitive decline, and how Canada should get ahead of the struggles facing its aging population. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is floating the idea of an increase in the land transfer tax, an amount that's owed when a house is purchased. Its total is based on the value of the house at the time of purchase, meaning the higher the price, the higher the tax.The tax generates income for the city, which in turn could fund social programs for those in need. But some fiscal think tanks warn the increase in tax on high ticket items could drive out the rich from the city.Host Alan Carter speaks to Mike Moffatt founding director of the University of Ottawa's Missing Middle Initiative to discuss how governments can strike a balance. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

They're already the unofficial mascot of one of Canada's largest cities, with tons of Toronto merchandise donning adorable images of so-called "trash pandas" - but a new study out of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock theorizes they aren't just getting smarter - they may be getting cuter.Host Kaitlin Lee speaks to Evolutionary Ecologist Albrecht Schulte-Hostedde from Laurentian University possible signs of "domestication" among urban raccoons, if that means they could one day be pets, and what the critters have to say about us. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

In a battle for the rights to Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix and Paramount Skydance are offering tens of billions of dollars to become the next media powerhouse. Either acquisition pose as problematic for critics who raise concerns of a monopoly over the market, sizeable job losses, and the death of the movie theatre. Host Mike Eppel speaks to Paul Moore, sociology professor at Toronto Metropolitan University to discuss the bids and how the changes could materialize for the film industry at large. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Starting today, Australian youth under the age of 16 will no longer be able to log onto Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and other social media sites due to a new law passed through their parliament.The government has banned a number of popular online sites from allowing accounts be made for those under 16 years old, with a fine of up to $33 million CAD if the platforms defy the order.Host Maria Kestane speaks to Jay Olson, post doctorate fellow at the University of Toronto to discuss whether the ban will actually make waves in protecting Australian youth, and how Canada could take note. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Stories of extremely strong earthquakes continue to dominate headlines around the world. The latest one striking off Japan's northern coast late Monday night local time, at a magnitude of 7.6. Is this a more seismically active year? Host Richard Southern speaks to Katsu Goda, associate professor at the University of Western Ontario to find out. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

After a long, cringe-laden ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., we finally had confirmation of the 12 groups that will comprise the 23rd FIFA World Cup.And get this, Canada could potentially host Italy to open their 2026 campaign in Toronto. How did Canada get here? How will they fare against the world’s best? And will this World Cup, shared by three countries navigating fractured relationships, “work” when things get started next Summer?Host Devang Desai speaks with David Gass, founder of Kickback Soccer Media, about Canada’s World Cup hopes, FIFA’s relationship with Donald Trump, and weather concerns for next Summer. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Enjoy this special feed drop from our sister show 'In This Economy?!'It's the kind of relief Canadians have been waiting to see for a while, but year after year, the idea of grocery prices lowering seems to be farther and farther away.Dalhousie University's annual publication, 'Canada's Food Price Report', found that families will be spending an extra 4% on groceries next year, coming out at more than $17,000.Host Mike Eppel speaks to the lead author of the report, Sylvain Charlebois, to discuss the latest in Canada's food market, and whether or not Canadians should hold their breath for lower prices. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Canadian consumers are a lot more aware of where their money goes these days – for a few reasons. There’s a lot of economic uncertainty but many of us are also more cognizant of buying Canadian where possible as the trade war with the US rages on.The problem is – labels can be misleading, and the idea of something being ethical or sustainable might be different depending on your perspective.Host Kris McCusker speaks to Jing Wan, a professor at the university of Guelph who studies ethical and sustainable consumption. They discuss ways to shop “smarter”, and why the easiest solution might be easier said than done. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Both the climate and tolerance of gender-based violence has changed since the 1989 femicide at Polytechnique Montreal. What was once strides forward in protecting women from violence, now seems like it's gone a few steps back considering GBV's more popular habitat: the internet.Incel culture and the 'manosphere' have dominated online spaces for young men, most who initially search for a sense of community, but find themselves engaging in disturbing, highly violent behaviour towards women. The Carney government has pledged more money in AI investments than in tackling GBV, but some experts believe a cut of the AI money could go towards protecting online spaces and combatting deepfake pornography.Host Maria Kestane speaks to Dr. Cecile Rousseau, Canada Research Chair in Preventing Violent Radicalization and a psychiatry professor at McGill University to discuss how the fight against Canada's incel crisis requires comprehensive, multi-level cooperation between all levels of government, parents and teachers.If you or someone you know is in an unsafe situation, please call 911. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Imagine a wine tour experience, but for cannabis.Canada has strict consumption regulations for cannabis products, although government-owned weed shops decorate plazas across the country. That gap between retail shops versus consumption spaces has hospitality and business experts alike urging Ottawa to take advantage of a tourism goldmine.Host Richard Southern speaks to Susan Dupej, a post-doctorate fellow at the University of Guelph to discuss Canada's current tolerance for tourists looking for a cannabis-friendly experience, and what steps our government should take to reach our potential. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

She’s tied for the most decorated Canadian Olympian, but she won’t be anywhere near a podium for at least two years.Toronto’s Penny Oleksiak has been banned from competing until 2027 after allegedly violating anti-doping whereabouts regulations, something she says has nothing to do with banned substances. The World Anti-Doping Agency is the international regulatory body that oversees drug testing for competitive athletes. Testing happens both after a competition, as well as in the form of pre-competitive check-ins, such as whereabout disclosures.Host Alex Seixeiro speaks to Bruce Arthur, columnist for the Toronto Star, to discuss what lies ahead for Magic Penny, and whether or not anti-doping regulation is too rigorous. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

It's not the most commonly sought-after item on Facebook, but it's certainly not the least advertised on the platform's feeds either.Advertisements for highly addictive and illegal drugs like cocaine and oxycodone continue to appear on Meta's social platforms, amid their no-tolerance policy for such content and for what they call 'robust' measures to keep them off.The RCMP says it works extensively to intercept online purchases of illegal drugs, but Meta's reliance on AI to regulate advertisement sales and distribution doesn't allow for much policing.Host Maria Kestane speaks to Ben Musset, digital editor for the Toronto Star, and Omar Mosleh, reporter for the Toronto Star to discuss their investigation into Meta's advertising loopholes, and how Canada's most vulnerable could fall victim to the multibillion dollar self-regulating business platform. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith put pen to paper this past week, signing an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in hopes of strengthening Canada's economy and lessen our dependence on the U.S.Plans for an independently-funded pipeline through British Colombia are in the works, depending on approval from the Major Projects Office and hinged on Indigenous co-ownership.However, not everyone is on board with the terms of the MOU, especially Premier David Eby, as well as Liberal MP Steven Guilbeault who has resigned from the cabinet on Thursday.Host Mark Day speaks to Cormac Mac Sweeney, CityNews Parliament Hill reporter to break down what's needed for this pipeline to materialize in the years to come, and how this MOU could play out for Carney's Liberals. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

It's not completely odd for a former Olympian to return to the limelight years after competing...but rarely is it for allegedly piloting a drug ring comparable to that of El Chapo's.Ryan James Wedding now sits alongside some of America's most dangerous criminals on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list for several offences related to drug trafficking and murder. A number of Canadians have been arrested earlier this month in connection to the case, including Wedding's defence lawyer from Brampton, Deepak Paradkar. And the FBI has hiked up the reward for his arrest to $15 million USD. Host Richard Southern speaks to Calvi Leon, a crime reporter for the Toronto Star to break down how a Canadian born in Thunder Bay made his way to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list for allegedly leading one of the most prolific drug trafficking organizations in the world. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

A recent Leger poll commissioned by OMNI News found that 67% of newcomers believe Canada should admit fewer than 300,000 new immigrants per year, and 4 in 10 say that number should be less than 100,000.The survey was conducted ahead of this month's federal budget announcement when Ottawa announced its plans to reduce new permanent resident visas to 380,000 per year from 2026 to 2028. However, respondents believe granting visas should go hand in hand with ensuring there's enough housing and social supports for people who are already in Canada before more people come in.Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Teresa Romano, OMNI News reporter for their Italian Bureau to dig into the findings of this year's poll, and discuss whether or not newcomers and immigrants to Canada believe that our immigration system is serving those who need it most. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

The passing of omnibus Bill 60, also known as the 'Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act' has caused a fury of backlash across the province of Ontario, including tenant and housing advocacy groups.The new bill, which was fast-tracked through the legislature, removes barriers to allow landlords to evict tenants if they're late on rent or if they're not paying their total. Many critics say this will worsen the homelessness crisis, especially during the upcoming winter months.However, Housing Minister Rob Flack says it's about restoring balance within the housing system, rejecting claims that this will put people out of housing. Instead, he says the bill will help expedite bills.Host Richard Southern speaks to Marc Davignon, Ontario ACORN Tenant Leader to talk about his experience getting kicked out of the Ontario legislature on Monday, and how he believes the new bill will affect the most vulnerable across the province. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Questions continue to be raised about what an interstellar visitor to our solar system actually is. NASA says although its eyes are peeled for signs of life, this isn't the case.3I/ATLAS was discovered in July by the NASA-funded ATLAS survey telescope. The space organization says it's only the third object ever seen to be passing through the solar system from elsewhere in the galaxy.However, some critics claim the comet's several anomalies pose as reasons as to why it should be considered an extraterrestrial being instead. Host Richard Southern speaks to Avi Loeb, theoretical physicist and professor at Harvard University to break down what we need to know about 3I/ATLAS and the potential for alien activity. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Enjoy this special feed drop of In This Economy?!A recent report by Indeed Canada found that seasonal job postings are up 12% this year compared to 2024, which could offer some respite for those looking for work. Statistics Canada says the unemployment rate remains elevated for the month of October, sitting at 6.9%, while youth unemployment is basically double that at 14.1%.Host Mike Eppel speaks to Brendon Bernard, senior economist at Indeed Canada to break down the report and discuss how the interest in holiday jobs says more about the bigger picture of the state of the economy. The also discuss how the current geopolitical climate plays into the unemployment market. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

There's always a big push to donate blood, but what about plasma?It's the not-so-secret ingredient within whole blood that's packed with nutrients and proteins that helps boost the body's immunity. It also holds the power to act as a healing agent for other bodies that need its immunoglobulins.However, Canada is facing a massive shortage of plasma, and if it doesn't keep up with demand, our healthcare system won't have the bandwidth to treat those in need. Host Gurdeep Ahluwalia speaks to Jessica Carswell, Director, Strategic Engagement at Canadian Blood Services to discuss the need for plasma to help keep Canada's healthcare system running, and how to determine if donating is right for you. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

As Prime Minister Mark Carney heads for the G20 Summit in South Africa, his trip to the United Arab Emirates proved to be one focused on strengthening diplomatic ties and potential foreign investment relations.However, mention of the UAE's alleged involvement in the war in Sudan was something many Canadians and human rights activists felt was missing from the trip's itinerary.Amnesty International claims credible sources have found the UAE to be in violation of the United Nations' arms embargo to Sudan's Darfur region, something the UAE repeatedly denies. The Sudanese war broke out in 2023, as its army battles for power against a paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces. More than 150,000 lives have been claimed.Host Maria Kestane speaks to Glen McGregor, political correspondent for CityNews to break down the implications of Carney's trip to the Middle East, and how the omission for holding the UAE accountable could have consequences for Canada's humanitarian image. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

November is financial literacy month, and when it comes to finances, ignorance is certainly not bliss.With all the resources online, whether that be from TikToks or business blogs or even ChatGPT, it may seem intimidating to cut through all the noise to find out what works for you. But the reality is, educating yourself is easier than you think. All it takes is one conversation.Host Kris McCusker speaks to Gary Teelucksingh, co-founder of the Money Wise Institute and partner at Electric Mind. He’s also the author of Roots of Prosperity: Building Legacies Beyond Wealth. The two discuss how to build financial habits that work for your personal lifestyle, and how the worst thing you could do for your money is NOT talk about it, regardless of how old you are. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

A recent report by the Canadian Cancer Statistics Advisory Committee found that after more than three decades of steady decline, cases of cervical cancer have plateaued in the past 20 years. In an effort to make screening less daunting, the Canadian Cancer Society is pushing for all provinces and territories to replace the traditional pap smear examination with the human papillomavirus (HPV) test. So far, only four provinces have made the switch.But the switch is just a piece of the puzzle. Access to screening, education on reproductive health, and destigmatizing testing all play a role in bringing down cases of cervical cancer - which Canada committed to eliminate by 2040.Host Maria Kestane speaks to Dr. Lucy Gilbert, director of the McGill University Gynecologic Oncology service, and chair of oncology for McGill University’s Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology to discuss the risks related with lack of access to proper screenings, and how Health Canada needs to keep health education top of mind if they want to meet its 2040 goal. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

As the U.S. House aims to vote on a bill this week to force Donald Trump’s Justice Department to make the Jeffrey Epstein files public, the president is now calling for Republicans to vote in favor of the files’ release.It’s a noticeable change of heart that comes after Trump was named in newly released emails obtained by Congress that are reignited scrutiny of what he knew about Epstein’s conduct.The dilemma continues to divide both his strongest supporters and his Republican party, and has even led to a falling-out with one of his longtime MAGA allies, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.Host Caryn Ceolin is joined by Andra Gillespie, a political scientist at Emory University to discuss why the president’s reversal, in the face of all-but-certain defeat on Capitol Hill, is still unlikely to lead to the release of the Epstein files. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Canada has seen four incidents in just two months of Canadian Border Service Agency primary inspection kiosks going down at some of the country's busiest airports.CBSA's President Erin O'Gorman admitted they use what it calls 'legacy systems', but besides the security delays at air and land-crossings, these outages highlight the real neglect Ottawa has done to its agencies' technologies. Host Maria Kestane speaks to David Shipley, CEO and co-founder of Beauceron Security to discuss the reality of Canada's ability to defend itself against National security threats, and whether or not these outages are as bad as they seem. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Ontario signed a 1-year renewal contract with Ottawa earlier this week, keeping childcare between $19-$22/day. Instead of a 5-year renewal, Provincial Education Minister Paul Calandra wants the federal government to address Ontario's $2 billion shortfall, or else daily fees for families will increase. Meantime, Ontario's Auditor General said Ontario wasn't meeting it's ECE staffing targets, nor was it building enough spaces to satisfy the 5.9 : 10 ratio requirement set out by Ottawa.Host Maria Kestane speaks to David Macdonald, Senior Economist at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives to discuss their recent report on childcare deserts across the country, and how close Ontario is to lowering the average childcare price to $10/day. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Would you want to know if the food you were eating came from a cloned animal?New Health Canada regulations set to kick in next year don't require beef and pork manufacturers to label whether or not their products were from cloned animals. After consultations with the general public and stakeholders, Health Canada decided to remove cloned meat from their 'novel foods' category.Cloned animals are made through assisted reproductive processes such as artificial insemination. Sometimes, the cloned animals' offspring is what makes it to the meat counter.However, questions have been raised regarding the lack of transparency around the regulation change, and whether or not consumers deserve to know where and how the meat they buy is made.Host Maria Kestane speaks to Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Agr-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University to discuss how important accurate food labels are to Canadian consumers, and whether or not cloned meat is safe for you. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Quebec doctors and healthcare providers are weighing their options when it comes to the future of their practice.The province adopted Bill 2 last month, legislation that sets performance targets for healthcare providers with a financial penalty if not met. The bill is in effort to address long wait times for surgery, emergency rooms, specialist consultations, and for the system overall to provide better care to all residents. However, the bill's slash to salaries while simultaneously omitting failures from the Province's responsibility, has doctors and healthcare professionals rethinking their future in medicine in the province. Dozens have already resigned, with several applying to Ontario hospitals instead. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Dr. Trevor Hennessey, Chief of the department of anesthesiology for the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l’Outaouais to break down what Bill 2 really means for the future of healthcare in Quebec, and how it's more about an infringement on Charter rights than a new payment model for doctors. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

It’s not a surprise but it is a disappointment.Canada has lost its measles elimination status after almost 30 years. It comes as the country grapples with what it calls a 'mulit-jurisdictional' outbreak that began in October 2024, resulting in more than 5,100 cases and two infant deaths. We are not the first country to lose the title - and we probably won’t be the last – but getting back in the 'elimination zone' will not be an easy one, and will be timely.Host Kris McCusker speaks to Dr. Barry Pakes, Program Director of the Public Health and Preventative Medicine Residency Program at the University of Toronto about what the status change really means, how it happened and what it says about vaccination accessibility across the country. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

After a crumbling loss in the federal election, coupled with Prime Minister Carney's Liberal shift towards the centre, the NDP is grappling with a political identity crisis. What does it stand for? Who do they represent? And does Canada's population in 2025 even resemble what it's fighting for?Meanwhile to the south, New York City Mayoral-elect Zohran Mamdani is entering his first full week on the job following his bold win over Cuomo and Sliwa. Although there's parallels between his campaign and the Canadian NDP, execution styles couldn't be farther apart. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Saman Tabasinejad to break down the future of Canada's appetite for a political Left, and whether or not the NDP is taking notes from Mamdani's sweeping victory. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

It's a life-or-death situation for 30 beluga whales currently being held at Marineland, an amusement park located in Niagara Falls, Ont., who's doors shuttered more than a year ago following claims of animal mistreatment.The park has requested the mammals be moved to an aquarium in China, or for the federal government to provide emergency funding to keep them alive - or else they risk being euthanized. While these whales' lives remain in limo, these last weeks have been a finger-pointing battle between the park, the provincial government and federal government, all claiming onus doesn't fall on their shoulders to care for the whales.Host Richard Southern speaks to Liam Casey, a journalist for the Canadian Press, to discuss the park's claims of insufficient funds, and where exactly these whales belong if Marineland can't take care of them. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

From Conversative to Liberal, Nova Scotia MP Chris d'Entremont did more than just cross the floor after the budget was tabled.It begged the question of whether or not Conservatives still believe Poilievre is doing the right thing at the top. After the fallout of the leader's comments on the RCMP, thorough conversations will be held ahead of January's Conservative Convention, where Poilievre's leadership will be brought into question for his party to decide on his fate.Host Maria Kestane speaks to Glen McGregor, political correspondent for CityNews to dig into what d'Entremont's move implies for the broader picture of the future of Poilievre's Conservatives, and just how likely other Tories could fall for Carney's right-of-centre playbook. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

In his first federal budget as Prime Minister, Mark Carney has his eyes on changing the country for generations to come, rather than making moves to satisfy the here and now.Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne tabled the 2025 budget on Tuesday, which included a $78.3B deficit, among cuts and investments to strengthen an independent economy with a focus on businesses and capital investments., rather than slashing the deficit.Time will tell, though, if Carney's 406-page plan will get the support of the opposition parties, or fall short of approval resulting in a federal election.Host Mike Eppel speaks to Ian Lee, associate professor at the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University, to break down the 2025 federal budget: what it means for everyday Canadians, what it means for our relationship with the U.S., and what it means for the future of Canada. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

This week last year, Americans made the choice of bringing Donald Trump back into the White House, electing him as the 47th President of the United States. While Trump knew what he had his eyes on, it's hard to say the rest of world adequately braced for impact.Under the guise of prioritizing the American economy, Trump came out swinging at several targets, including Democrats, Canada, undocumented migrants, and anyone who spoke against him - just to name a few.His $250M White House renovation project is just the latest agenda item for the administration, as architectural renders of a gold-filled ballroom capture the attention of the world, while the government he runs heads into its second month of lights out and unsigned pay cheques. Not to mention the tens of millions of SNAP recipients who must now look elsewhere to find their next meal.Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Rob Goodman, associate professor in the department of political and public administration at Toronto Metropolitan University to reflect on the year it's been with Trump, and what the last 364 days could mean for the next 1096 to come. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

The annual Hunger Count report has been released, and the startling numbers have set yet another record.In fact, the number of people using food banks to fill the fridge has doubled since 2019. The struggles of many Canadians to handle the cost of living crisis has led to calls for the federal government to take action.Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with Kirstin Beardsley, CEO of Food Banks Canada about the report, the troubling trends, and what she wants to see from the Carney government. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Nothing beats a good cup of coffee, but nothing also beats a good night's sleep. With the switch back to standard time right around the corner, our bodies will once again feel the disorientation of the 1 hour shift. The sun will rise and set earlier, and maybe it's time we move with the light instead of trying to ignore nature's clock. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Dr. Elizabeth Klerman, a professor of neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. They break down the dos and don'ts of sleep, how to take advantage of the time change to catch some extra zzz's, and how it's important to actually listen to your body when it's telling you something. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

The Governor of the Bank of Canada, Tiff Macklem, announced the fourth policy interest rate cut this year, down by a quarter of a percentage point to 2.25%, signaling a steadiness in inflation, while simultaneously warning of a weakening economy. It comes in the midst of a volatile U.S.-Canada trade war, and ahead of a later-than-usual federal budget, with a projected deficit of close to $70 billion. Host Mike Eppel speaks to Barry Schwartz, President and Chief Investment Officer at Baskin Wealth to get a pulse check of the Canadian economy ahead of the upcoming November 4th federal budget. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

It was a quick post-and-delete from the Ontario government, after Premier Ford's $75M anti-tariff commercial broadcasted on American televisions, pissed off President Trump, and received some harsh penalties in return. Trump said the content in the ad was fake, and went as far as suspending all trade negotiations with Canada as a result. A few days later, it seemed a new fury arose from the White House, with Trump slapping an additional 10% tariff on Canadian goods for not taking the commercial down fast enough.Trade negotiations have been going on for months, but after Prime Minister Carney returned from two U.S. trips with no trade deal, Canadian leaders seem to be having a hard time sitting on their hands in the meantime. Host Richard Southern speaks to John Wright, CEO of Canada Pulse Insights, to discuss the fallout of the premier's move, and what Carney needs to do to make sure all of Canada remains on the same page on the fight against Trump. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Alternative medicine is nothing new.Although it can be risky and sometimes harmful, people with chronic pain or debilitating health complications are usually open to seeing what other treatment options can ease their pain - even if it's illegal and very much inaccessible. A recent North American study found that one supervised dose of lysergic acid diethylamide or LSD - commonly known as acid - eased anxiety symptoms for several months. But the research on psychedelics being used to treat mental health issues is still very much in its premature phase, with nothing conclusive or substantial enough to enact changes from Health Canada.Host Maria Kestane speaks to Dr. Roger McIntyre, professor of psychiatry, and professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Toronto to discuss the potential that psychedelics hold in the future of health and wellness, and whether or not it's suitable for everyone. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Getaway motorbikes, 7 minutes, and a crane positioned to an open balcony of the Louvre. The scene of a carefully orchestrated jewellery heist at the world's most famous museum in France, after a group of thieves stole about $143 million Cdn worth of crown jewels and fled the scene.A pair of suspects have since been arrested, one of them at the Charles de Gaulle Airport as he prepared to allegedly board a flight to Algeria. But millions of dollars worth of France's history, and more suspects remain nowhere to be found, with the country now grappling with an internal blame game.Host Richard Southern speaks to Anthony Amore, an art theft expert and Director of Security at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston to discuss the Hollywood-like heist, and how museums across the world could use the carefully calculated ransack to improve how they protect their valuables. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Gold is having a moment - trading above $4,000 just a few months after hitting $3,000.It's up by more than 50%t this year, on track for its best year since 1979. And volatility seems to be ticking higher too.Gold has long been viewed as a safe haven in times of uncertainty - and let's face it, there's a lot of that right now. But could that role be changing, and does crypto currency become a factor in it all?Host Kris McCusker speaks to Luis Seco - a professor in mathematics at the University of Toronto to get his take on what's happening, and whether it’s too late to invest. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

No one likes checking their credit score and seeing a hit to the rating - even the Canadian government.Credit rating agencies are bracing for the upcoming November 4th federal budget, and with a lack of fiscal updates since the last federal budget under the Trudeau government, economists aren't quite sure what they should expect when it comes to the deficit.So just how deep could the red ink run? And will the minority federal government receive the backing from any of the opposition parties to get it passed through the House?Host Mike Eppel speaks to Randall Bartlett, Deputy Chief Economist at Desjardins to discuss what former-banker-turned-Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has up his sleeve for the upcoming budget, and what he plans to do about a potentially ominously large deficit. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Top Trump administration officials have been in Israel this week to shore up a fragile and uncertain ceasefire in Gaza, after recent flare-ups of violence punctured the brief calm, with each side accusing the other of violations.The truce faced fresh challenges this week after a bill applying Israeli law to the West Bank passed a symbolic vote in Israel’s parliament, revealing cracks between factions in the country’s right-wing parties, and underscoring the challenges ahead in ensuring both Israel and Hamas hold up their sides of the fragile ceasefire.Host Caryn Ceolin is joined by Akaash Maharaj, senior fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, to discuss the obstacles that loom over Middle East peace, and the role Canada can play in delivering it. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

A note to our listeners, this episode discusses sexual assault. Please take care.Prince Andrew’s ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein thrust the British royal family into crisis again this week, with the release of a harrowing posthumous memoir by one of Epstein’s main accusers. For years, Virgina Giuffre has accused Prince Andrew of sexual assault, an allegation he denies. But her book is likely to keep Andrew’s friendship with Epstein in the spotlight, throwing fuel on a cascade of scandal shadowing the King’s brother and a monarchy grappling with diminished public support. Host Caryn Ceolin is joined by Sarah Sahagian, co-Host for The Reheat and publisher of rabble.ca, to discuss Andrew’s fall from grace, the calls for further action against him, and why he may never lose the title of prince. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky