The Big Story
An in-depth look at the issues, culture and personalities shaping Canada today.
Episodes
The debate on MAiD for mental illness
This episode contains discussion of mental illness, suicide, and death. Please take care.
MAiD has caused contentious debate across Canada for years. This year marks 10 years since Ottawa allowed for certain adults to apply for medically assisted death, and since then there has been push to expand eligibility - beyond track two - to include those whose sole reason for application is mental illness
Big Headlines: Wildfires ravage France and Spain, and Canadians want to retaliate against American tariffs
Plus: crime rates in Canada are down for the second straight year, a poll finds many Canadians want Ottawa to retaliate against tariff threats from the U.S., three federal by-elections will be held at the end of next month, and the suspect in a terror attack at Berlin Pride celebrations is shot dead by police. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future
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Burning time: How bureaucracy hinders Canada’s wildfire response
US President Trump echoed his promise to retaliate against Canada for our wildfire smoke drifting south. It comes as more than 900 fires actively burn across the country, with a number of communities evacuated from their homes.
But the severity of our wildfire season should come as no surprise given Canada's track record since 2023. Yet somehow, the response from provinces and territories doesn't
Weekend Listen: The World Cup is over. Was it worth it for our host cities?
Enjoy this special feed drop from our sister show 'In This Economy?!'.
The biggest World Cup ever is over – with 13 matches played on Canadian soil. The Canadian men’s team saw a fair bit of success on the pitch, but it’s more difficult to define success for the host cities, Vancouver and Toronto. Many contend there were some big positives to come out of the event – some of them unexpected.
In th
Big Headlines: New tariffs from the U.S. go into effect, with a new justification behind them
Plus: B.C. businesses can access to a billion-dollar regional emergency fund if Canada-focused tariffs go into effect next month, Canadian officials celebrate the Gordie Howe International Bridge’s upcoming opening without their U.S. counterparts on hand, Alberta’s opposition leader raises concerns over the cost of the separation referendum, the Maritimes move to create a new regional electricity
Big Cats, New Rules: BC's crackdown on exotic pets
It won't surprise you know that owning an exotic cat like a lion or tiger is illegal in B.C.-- it is in most places, and for good reason. Exotic large cat ownership has led to many preventable tragedies. But there is a middle ground of cat, of breeds much bigger than domestic cats but smaller than cheetah and other big cats, that has remained largely unregulated. Until now.
Host Caryn Ceolin is sp
Big Headlines: Mark Carney and Canada’s premiers say they aren’t backing down in the trade dispute with the U.S.
Plus: The premiers agree to remove interprovincial trade barriers on alcohol sales, Canadians are feeling the pressure to keep up with artificial intelligence, the Bloc Quebecois leader’s X account is hacked, Canadian jazz legend Oliver Jones dies at 91, and a Quebec town grants rights to trees.
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Why is a Quebec town giving rights to trees?
Update since publication:
The Big Story would like to formally recognize Ricardo Rey as the author and initiator of the 'Universal Declaration of Tree Rights', and La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus as its founding organisation and official institutional steward. André Desrochers helped bring the existing Declaration to local attention but did not create, author or initiate it. Ms Trépanier is a me
Big Headlines: Tariff tension dominates Canada's meeting of premiers in P.E.I. and the U.S. greenlights a Saudi nuclear program
Plus: the Big Story podcast looks at why President Donald Trump is pushing for more tariffs on Canada right now, U.S. officials could be sending billions more to fund the ongoing war in Iran, Canada's "grocery code of conduct" has some glaring issues, and trade tension is now spilling onto the Gordie Howe bridge between Windsor and Detroit. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions
Trumps threatens tariffs on Canada - again
Another round of 50% tariffs are coming for a number of Canadian goods, ranging from dairy, hockey sticks to hair wigs.
Prime Minister Carney has since agreed to intensify negotiations in the coming weeks. US President Trump's reason for the tariffs was to address what he calls Canada's "discrimination against and unreasonable and unequal treatment of U.S. commerce".
Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Jo
Big Headlines: New U.S. tariffs on Canada and more details on a deadly crash involving a CFL player
Plus: An entire city in B.C. is evacuated because of a wildfire, a man has been charged after a vehicle carrying Nova Scotia’s premier had its windshield smashed, Canadians are still concerned about their vehicles getting stolen despite falling theft numbers, and what happened during a controversial lockdown at an Ontario correctional facility three years ago? We love feedback at The Big Story, as
Inside the Maplehurst inmate abuse scandal
Almost three years ago, some 200 inmates at Maplehurst Correctional Facility in Milton, Ont. were subjected to strip searches, zip ties and pepper spray during an violent incident that lasted more than a day. Since then, multiple sentences have either been shortened or thrown out, including a first-degree murder case from 2022.
The provincial ombudsman has since launched an investigation to find o
Big Headlines: Inflation cools across Canada and wildfires continue to burn northern Ontario
Plus: Wildfires continue to burn in northwestern Ontario, the U.S. and Iran exchange strikes for a ninth consecutive night, Britain has a new prime minister, Spain wins the World Cup, and details on the Gordie Howe Bridge. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future
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The blurry Gordie Howe bridge 2.0 details
The Gordie Howe International Bridge will open on Monday, July 27....for now. It comes as its previous opening date of June 12 was cancelled due to US President Trump demanding a new deal in exchange for the American side opening up.
More than six weeks later, a new deal has been reached between Trump and Prime Minister Carney, yet no one seems to know the exact details of the deals - including th
Weekend Listen: The Prime Minister's honeymoon continues
Enjoy this special feed drop from our sister show 'In This Economy?!'
Prime Minister Mark Carney continues to get high marks from Canadians on his handling of the economy, despite the actual economic performance numbers showing that real gross domestic product has shrunk by 0.05% since he was elected, presiding over the worst first year of growth for a Prime Minister since at least 1963.
However,
Big Headlines: U.S. politicians blast Canada over wildfire smoke
Plus: Trump primetime speech, Britain will have a new PM, recommendations for a public Alzheimer's drug plan, and the World Cup wraps up this weekend.
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When will wildfire management become Canada's priority?
No, it's not a filter.
The yellow-orange haze cast upon much of Southern Ontario thanks to smoke drifting in from Northwestern wildfires. Toronto was ranked as having the worst air quality in the world for most of Wednesday according to IQAir. Although conditions are expected to ease as the city heads into the weekend, was there a way to prevent it from getting this bad in the first place? And if
Big Headlines: Wildfires spark hazardous air quality levels
Plus: The U.S. and Iran exchange strikes, Trump is set to make a primetime speech, Canadians appear to have a more positive view on China, immigration changes are now in effect, and could an 'explosive' parasite reach Canadian produce
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Will the 'explosive' parasite reach Canadian produce sections?
Cyclospora: it's a microscopic organism found in water, but can spread to food-- especially produce. Found most commonly in wet and warm climates, it can travel into your grocery store through things like imported lettuce, raspberries, carrots, or more.
And once you catch it, it causes some 'explosive' problems.
Host Caryn Ceolin is speaking with Keith Warriner, a professor of food microbiology in
Big Headlines: Conflict erupts over the Strait of Hormuz, and what will the war’s long-term impacts be?
Plus: the Bank of Canada holds the key interest rate at 2.25%, Toronto’s air quality is the worst of any major city in the world today, a “suspicious” fire damages Surrey City Hall, Nova Scotia premier John Hamm has died at the age of 88, and Lindsey Graham’s sister is sworn in to replace him in the U.S. Senate.
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Has Trump launched a forever war?
It's yet another campaign promise US President Trump has seemed to loosen his commitment towards: not starting forever wars.
A mission he projected to last only a few weeks has dragged into its fifth month, with a collapsed ceasefire, renewed rounds of attacks, an ambiguous Strait of Hormuz, and thousands of lives lost.
Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Aaron Rupar, publisher of the Public Notice newsle
Big Headlines: Alberta welcomes private online gaming companies, and Toronto police identify the victims of a deadly street festival shooting
Plus: A man is killed by an ICE agent in Maine, a B.C. nurses put their picket lines on pause, a former MP is arrested for illegal firearms possession, and what factored into Canada’s decision to cut visas for students and temporary workers?
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Who gets left behind during immigration cuts?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has made drastic cuts to the amount of student and temporary foreign worker visas issued to newcomers. Impacted by the cuts are not just school programs, but local restaurants, hotels, long-term care homes, construction sites, etc.
Host Maria Kestane speaks is joined by Shilpashree Jagannathan, a freelance journalist who wrote an article on the effects
Big Headlines: US Politician Lindsay Graham passed away, and Peter Nygard has been found guilty of more charges
Plus: Toronto Police is investigating a deadly shooting at the Salsa on St. Clair Festival, Disgraced fashion mogul Peter Nygard has been found guilty sexual assault and forcible confinement charges at a Montreal courthouse, U-S and Iran are both claiming they control the Strait of Hormuz, the union representing more than five-thousand Canadian auto-workers has reached a tentative deal with Ford m
Does Canada need a relationship with Saudi Arabia?
It's been more than a quarter of a century since a Canadian Prime Minister touched down on Saudi Arabian soil to meet with the country's leader. That was until PM Carney headed south from Turkey to visit the Kingdom last week.
The trip is a part of Carney's quest to find new global alliances and trading partners aside from the US.
Host Maria Kestane speaks to Sabine Nolke, former foreign service o
Weekend Listen: Artificial Intelligence is costing us, is it worth it?
Enjoy this special feed drop from our sister show 'In This Economy?!'.
Artificial intelligence is working its way into our daily lives – and it’s probably turning up in places you hadn’t though of – like the local coffee shop. While there are many positive applications, the technology is also very expensive to run – and not just financially. And while it continues to proliferate into our workplac
Big Headlines: Iran reportedly devised a plan to assassinate Donald Trump
Plus: Stats Canada has released a better than expected jobs report, an investigation is underway after an Air Canada aircraft overshot the runway in Montreal, a deadly wildfire hits Spain, a warning from experts about illegal nicotine pouches, and Canada cozies to Europe with German sub pick. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future
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Canada cozies to Europe with German sub pick
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a $100-billion dollar contract to replace Canada's submarine fleet will be awarded to Germany and Norway, marking the largest contract of its kind in Canadian history. The choice though, goes beyond the subs themselves and sends broader signals to who Carney is eyeing to create lasting trade relations with.
Host Caryn Ceolin is speaking with journalist David Pu
Big Headlines: U.S.-Iran ceasefire crumbles as Trump hints at return to full-out war
Plus: Mark Carney is in Saudi Arabia, federal officials provide a wildfire update, the death toll is rising in Venezuela, and Bonnie Tyler has died. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future
episodes. You can find us:
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Why is Mark Carney putting a Conservative in the senate?
Prime Minister Carney has made his first Senate appointments - including a sitting Conservative MP and the PM's former Principal Secretary.
When Justin Trudeau became Prime Minister, he ended the practice of making partisan appointments to the Senate, kicking every Liberal senator out of his caucus, and creating an independent panel to make senate recommendations. But now, Carney seems to be going
Big Headlines: Trump says ceasefire with Iran is 'over' and threatens new strikes, plus Carney announces another major defence deal
Plus: the Liberal government’s plan to buy thousands of condos in B.C. faces scrutiny, Air Canada chooses its next CEO, Count Binface takes on a British party leader in a bizarre by-election, and how will Bill C-22 affect Canadians’ privacy? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future
episodes. You can find us:
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The law that would surrender Canadian data to America
Bill C-22 has sparked wide controversy surrounding its potential threat to privacy, as well as the way it's been rushed through parliamentary processes.
Not only that, but experts are sounding the alarm on its potential connection to the US Cloud Act, which gives American government officials the power to demand user data from tech companies.
Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Kate Robertson, a senior re
Big Headlines: Canada's ready to build new radar jets for NATO and Montreal honours a fallen officer
Plus: Alberta and Ontario plan a new oil pipeline, Jeremy Hansen leaves the Canadian Space Agency, Kyle Lowry retires as a Raptor, and what are the risks of bringing prediction markets to Canada? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future
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Canada is making a bet on prediction markets
It seems like you can place a bet on anything these days-- and in some places, you pretty much. With sites like Polymarket and Kalshi, you can put money on whether or not a politician will utter a phrase, major geopolitical events, how many goals an athlete might score, and more. But in Canada, stricter regulations have prevented these sights from spreading north of the U.S. border. But that's abo
Big Headlines: Carney departs for NATO summit with Halifax pit stop and Canada's World Cup run ends
Plus: Rogers reaches a deal to fully own many of Toronto’s biggest sports teams, new funding for energy projects in Alberta and Saskatchewan, a CN Rail train derails near Montreal, and what does the future of North American free trade look like? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future
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The blurry future of North American free trade
On its July 1st deadline, U.S. President Trump declined to renew the current conditions of CUSMA. It doesn't mean Canada-US-Mexico trade as we know it dissolves, but it signals a need for trade diversification and an investment in Canada's sovereignty by the new 2036 deadline.
Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Julian Karaguesian, visiting professor at McGill University and former special advisor in the
Weekend Listen: Was Canada's 'technical recession' a data mistake?
Enjoy this special feed drop from our sister show 'In This Economy?!'.
The economy started off 2026 in what economists called a 'technical recession', but a huge bounce-back at the start of the second quarter has raised some eyebrows about the validity of the Statistics Canada numbers in the first place.
Host Mike Eppel speaks to LJ Valencia, an economist at Desjardins and co-author of a study cal
Join the bandwagon: Your guide to Canada’s World Cup run
Almost 14 years ago, Canada was reeling from the loss of its men's national team losing 8-1 to Honduras and crushing its dreams of qualifying from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Fast forward to the 2026 World Cup, and Canadian fans get to watch their team compete for a spot in the quarterfinals against Morocco. it's been a wild ride, to say the least!
Guest host Devang Desai speaks with Footy Prime
Big Headlines: A new pipeline will stretch from Alberta to B.C. and Canada's biggest test at the World Cup so far
Payments begin for the federal government’s boosted affordability credit, a man suspected of hitting a beachgoer in the head with a log is released on bail, two women found guilty of murdering a boy they were trying to adopt, and ticks. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future
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Canada is facing a very real threat...of ticks
Ticks! The word tends to give Canadians of all stripes a sense of the creepy-crawlies-- and perhaps a touch of anxiety too. The small parasites that burrow into our skin and pose significant risk of Lyme disease are a regular summer worry for parents and pet owners-- and doubly so this year.
A wave of ticks coming from the United States is expected to hit the country this summer, dramatically incr
Big Headlines: The U.S. declines to renew CUSMA and Canada Post suspends service to 12 European countries
Plus: Alberta announces a new oil pipeline, a lawsuit is filed over an alleged leak of Alberta voters’ personal information, Canada Post pauses shipping parcels to some European countries, a B.C. journalist reacts after a businessman whose followers protested outside his house is sentenced to decades in jail, and heat wave season kicks into high gear. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as
Hot and Bothered: What's driving the extreme heat?
We're at a point where "record-breaking heat" has become a broken-record phrase. Year over year, we hear how many parts of the world have reached a new temperature high. And just days into summer 2026, things already ramped up, with intense and deadly heat waves gripping much of Europe, where temperatures pushed near 50 degrees. And North America hasn't been exempt, as July brings in a new wave of
Big Headlines: A key CUSMA deadline looms and Canada prepares to send emergency aid to Venezuela
Plus: Canada will play Morocco in the round of 16 at the World Cup, an America-themed beaver statue is destroyed in Toronto, B.C. nurses issue a strike notice, and Mark Carney’s plan to restore 24 Sussex. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future
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"Buy-a-brick": Carney's plan to renovate 24 Sussex
Crumbling. Rat infested. Decrepit. Unsafe for human habitation.
Perhaps not the words you would want to describe the official residence of Canada's leader-- but 24 Sussex Drive has been called it all. In fact, no Prime Minister has lived in the more than a century old mansion for a decade, after Justin Trudeau moved into Rideau Cottage on the grounds of Rideau Hall-- the home of the Governor Gener
Big Headlines: History for Canada at the World Cup and several cities brace for extreme weather
The Concordia University shooter dies in prison, a former Air Canada pilot accused of flying for decades without a licence appears in court, Drake throws “apology parties” for women named Janice, and how are criminal networks recruiting teenagers online? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future
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Canada’s invisible youth gang crisis
A string of shootings across the Greater Toronto Area are being tied to gun-for-hire networks targeted by vulnerable youth through encrypted messaging apps. Toronto Police say they have no idea who's hiring teenagers to commit the crimes.
Host Maria Kestane speaks to Dr. Adam Ellis, assistant professor at the University of Waterloo about how youth get involved in street gangs and organized crime,
Weekend Listen: Space X goes public, but what are you buying?
Enjoy this special feed drop from our sister show "In This Economy?!"
It’s now the biggest IPO in history – when Space X hit the US market this month, it made CEO Elon Musk a trillionaire on day one. But there are still many questions about the company and its plans for the future without any current stream of revenue.
The stock also hit a few bumps recently, with the company losing $600 billion d
Big Headlines: Rescue efforts continue in Venezuela after back to back, massive earthquakes
Search and rescue efforts continue in Venezuela as the death toll climbs following two large earthquakes
Plus: The Prime Minister holds a phone call with the U.S. President, a design competition will be held as Ottawa looks to restore 24 Sussex, Calgary business leaders say they could leave Alberta if separation goes through, Michael J. Fox receives Canada’s highest civilian honour, and how can Ca
Canada has an incel problem
A more than 100-page manifesto filled with misogynistic and anti-police rhetoric was found in the hours after an Alberta man opened fire in a Montreal neighbourhood. Three people were killed, including an officer, the shooter and a civilian caught in the cross-fire.
This isn't the first Canadian shooting attack rooted in misogynistic ideology, it succeeds the 2020 Nova Scotia shooting rampage, the
Big Headlines: Tragedy strikes in Venezuela, where two massive earthquakes hit west of the capital
Plus: Canada finish second in their World Cup group to set up a round of 32 showdown with South Africa, details on the Montreal shooting suspect’s online activity, an Air Canada flight is forced to divert after the pilot suffers an apparent seizure, a major Calgary music festival is cancelled, and uncertainty around the U.S. and Iran’s negotiations.
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The hidden power struggles shaping US-Iran negotiations
It was a deal Prime Minister Mark Carney touted as a 'game changer' that made the preceding war across Iran 'worth it'. But in the days that followed after the United States and Iran signed the memorandum of understanding, it's still unclear who holds the power and who should watch their back.
Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Aurel Braun, international relations professor at the University of Toronto t
Big Headlines: Canada looks to win their group at the World Cup, and details on the Montreal shooting suspect
Plus: Experts believe the string of recent on-duty police officer deaths could be an anomaly, Canadians’ confidence in America remains low, Mark Carney’s past work in the corporate world leaves him sidelined from key talks, and doctors deal with the consequences of patients using AI for medical advice.
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Doctor or data? Trust, AI and the rise of health misinformation
Sure, you can ask it for a recipe or ideas for a themed birthday party. But in lieu of a healthcare provider, maybe that's when we should draw the line with turning to AI.
A recent survey from the Canadian Medical Association found that 97% of doctors had to either step in or address consequences after patients followed healthcare advice from an online forum or AI.
Host Maria Kestane speaks to Ma'
Big Headlines: Montreal shooting kills three, including a police officer and a tragic update in the search for Nancy Guthrie
Plus: A ransom note reportedly told Nancy Guthrie’s family she died shortly after she was kidnapped, residents in Lytton begin returning home after a wildfire forced them to evacuate, Ontario First Nations enter a deal to own a new nuclear reactor, Canada’s first high-speed rail line could get another stop, and Keir Starmer joins the long list of British Prime Ministers to resign in recent years.
The revolving door of UK Prime Ministers post-Brexit
Keir Starmer's resignation as Britian's Prime Minister marks the 6th in just a decade, as political turmoil and a post-Brexit reality disturb the country's stability.
Poised to be the country's next leader is Greater-Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham.
Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Mel Cappe, distinguished fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy to discuss what lead to Starmer's step
Big Headlines: Inflation rises to its highest rate in years, and British PM Starmer resigns
Plus: Celebrations on Sunday mark National Indigenous Peoples Day, contract talks start for thousands of Canadian auto workers, Ottawa reaches a deal to build a new radar defence system, and what do teenagers think of a possible social media ban?
We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @theb
How parents and teens actually feel about a social media ban
Canada has taken inspiration from its fellow commonwealth cousin, Australia, and has moved to ban social media for anyone under 16.
A part of Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act requires social media platforms to ensure kids are staying safe online, or else they get banned. But what 'safe' looks like exactly hasn't been clearly outlined by Ottawa yet. The act also aims at protecting children from
Weekend Listen: When will investing in AI pay off?
Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show 'In This Economy?!'
Big players in the artificial intelligence space like OpenAI or Anthropic continue to take up tons of conversational space, whether it's about how much they're worth, how much they spend, and how much it takes to maintain their systems. Often left out of the conversations, though, are whether or not their investments could be a ne
Big Headlines: An historic win for Canada at the World Cup but at a cost to the lineup
Plus: Talks between the U.S. and Iran are delayed, Frank Stronach is found guilty on two counts in his sex assault trial, the mine where three workers were trapped for days in a collapse last year gets a key approval for underground mining, a groundbreaking procedure for cancer patients has been performed in Canada for the first time, and why are so many Canadians turning away from legacy media? W
TLDR; More Canadians are avoiding the news
Have you stopped checking the headlines in the morning? Are you changing the channel once the news comes on? Do you find yourself feeling anxious when hearing about current events? If so, you're in packed company.
This year's Digital News Report found that engagement and trust in legacy media continues to fall, as online content creators and AI dominate digital platforms. Not only has the medium c
Big Headlines: The U.S. and Iran sign a ceasefire deal and Canada's World Cup journey continues
Plus: It’s match day for Canada at the World Cup, another suspected is arrested in the shooting at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto, Alberta’s premier reacts to a call for her and her party to be investigated for treason, a Vancouver-based mining company hires a former Trump cabinet member, and Ontario’s premier sends legislators on a five-month summer vacation. We love feedback at The Big Story, as
(148) Days of Summer: Ontario MPP's lengthiest break
A five-month summer vacation doesn't sound too shabby, especially following a winter vacation that lasted more than three months.
That's the case for the members of the Ontario provincial government, as Premier Doug Ford sent the MPPs on an extended break before rejoining for the fall session. He says he'd rather have his members out in the community, engaging with residents, rather than spend the
Big Headlines: Details emerge on the new U.S.-Iran deal and Carney shares a 'hot mic' moment with Trump at the G7
Plus: Mark Carney addresses his hot mic conversation with Donald Trump about the Canada-China EV deal, a new study analyzes homeownership rates among recent immigrants compared with Canadian-born individuals, Jacob Hoggard’s bid for full parole is denied, evacuation orders are lifted in B.C. as a wildfire continues to burn, and will Ottawa’s food strategy actually lower your grocery bill? We love
Will Ottawa's food strategy actually lower your grocery bill?
Ottawa is investing more than $3 billion as part of a national food security strategy. It aims to combat anticompetitive industry practices, boost agricultural infrastructure to improve access to fresh produce year-round, and address online surveillance pricing.
But it isn't the first time a Liberal government pulled out the stops to make groceries cheaper or address grocery store monopolies.
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Big Headlines: Carney announces new Russia sanctions and Trump says he'll release the full Iran deal in days
Plus: the latest on the U.S. and Iran's agreement on the Strait of Hormuz, a dozen children are injured at a B.C. waterpark, the NHL begins investigating former head coach Mike Babcock ahead of his possible return the the league, a new commercial airport opens in Montreal, and protesters take to the streets in Albania over a planned resort funded by Donald Trump's son-in-law. We love feedback at T
How the Kushners sparked Albania's 'flamingo revolution'
Massive protests have swept the streets of Albania.
Dubbed "The Flamingo Revolution", the anti-government protests have kicked off after Prime Minister Edi Rama announced plans for a luxury resort to be built, in part, on environmentally-protected land. The resort's primary investor would be Jared Kushner, son-in-law to U.S. President Donald Trump. Rama, however, has downplayed the size of the pro
Big Headlines: The U.S. and Iran reach a deal on the Strait of Hormuz but key questions remain
Plus: this year’s G7 summit gets underway in France, Mark Carney meets with French and Irish leaders, Parliament is set to introduce two major bills, a slain Ontario police officer’s funeral will be held this week, Canada takes a step toward advancing from its group with a draw at the World Cup, and why do many Canadians seem to care so little about their local government? We love feedback at The
The election you’re probably ignoring (but shouldn’t)
This year, six of Canada's ten provinces and one of its three territories have held or will be holding municipal elections. It's a level of governance that tends to get the least amount of engagement from Canadians, and yet it's also the one that can most directly affect our lives.
So what do our city councils do for us? Why do we pay so little attention? Why is turnout so low? And what might be d
Weekend Listen: Will the new US Fed Chair cave to Trump?
Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show "In This Economy?!"
Kevin Warsh will officially take over as the head of the US central bank on Wednesday – but it’s not clear how his term will play out. The U-S President has been calling for interest rate cuts since he returned to office last year but several factors suggest that’s not likely in the cards. But will Warsh feel the pressure from Do
Big Headlines: Carney's looking for new partnerships in the City of Love and the World Cup kicks off in Canada
Plus: Trump is declaring the Iran war over despite a different narrative from Iran, Alberta is appealing a judge's decision to throw out a petition that's asking whether it should leave Canada, a Florida man sues several law enforcement agencies after an AI mistake, the White House-UFC event continues preparations for this weekend, and the World Cup is officially here. We love feedback at The Big
FIFA, politics, and the future of soccer
It's the most exciting time for soccer fans and sports lovers alike, as World Cup 2026 kicks off across North America. But in the shadows of fan fests and buzzing bars remains the very stark reality of strict US immigration policy that threatens the very nature of the tournament.
Somali referee Omar Artan was sent back to Turkey upon his arrival in Miami earlier this month after White House offici
Big Headlines: Police across Canada mourn the loss of a Toronto officer and Trump threatens to "hit Iran very hard tonight"
Plus: the Gordie Howe bridge opening hits another speedbump, protests continue in Belfast, the World Cup kicks off today in Mexico, and how drones are playing a key role in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future
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Drones redefine the Ukraine-Russia war
On February 24th, 2022, Russian troops marched across the Ukrainian border-- the beginning of an invasion experts had been warning of for some time. It was believed the embattled nation would fall within months. But four years later, Ukrainians continue to defy the odds. One of their key weapons: drones, which they use as devastating weapons of modern warfare. And while a fifth of the nation remai
Big Headlines: Police across Canada mourn the loss of an Ontario officer and Trump says Iran is taking too long to reach a deal
Plus: the Bank of Canada is keeping its key interest rate unchanged, the Carney government is set to introduce its Online Harms Act today that could include a social media ban for kids under 16, Trump is still reportedly clashing with Ontario's Premier, and chimpanzees are now engaging in deadly combat. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future
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Inside the Uganda chimpanzee civil war
It's something scientists have never observed before: chimpanzees, formerly with close family bonds, now engaging in deadly combat.
A recent study looked at one of the largest groups of chimps in the world, which primatologists have been observing since 1995. For decades, the group thrived, but recently, factions have broken off, and fighting has turned deadly-- and scientists aren't sure why.
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Big Headlines: Trump believes the Iran-Israel war is almost over and an Air Canada pilot flies without a licence
Plus: Prime Minister Mark Carney wants public opinion on the Ontario government's expansion plan for Billy Bishop Toronto Island Airport, Trump took in Game 3 of the NBA Finals in-person, birth rates are dropping with a link to smartphones, and what's the state of the federal Conservatives right now? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future
episodes. You can find us:
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Poilievre's campaign against Alberta separation
It's been an interesting past few months for the Federal Conservatives, from several MPs crossing the floor, to reports of inner-circle fighting, to Pierre Poilievre questioning PM Carney's education in economics.
In more recent events, the Federal Opposition leader has since claimed that Canada is in a 'full-blown' recession, and has called for unity among Alberta separatists.
Host Maria Kestane
Big Headlines: Canada's new Governor General sworn in and a 7.8-magnitude earthquake slams the Philippines
Plus: Pierre Poilievre is expected to call for a shift in federal policies with rising separatist movements in Alberta, Iran's military says it's stopping offensive operations after exchanging fire with Israel, and looking ahead to the World Cup - security and the top-ranked stadiums. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future
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Why Canada’s next Governor General matters right now
Louise Arbour, a former lawyer, Supreme Court Justice, and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, is being sworn in as Canada's next Governor General. It comes at a nuanced time for Canada's global identity.
Host Catherine Jette speaks to Nelson Wiseman, a political science professor at the University of Toronto about the Governor General's role in Canada, whether or not Canadians feel connected t
Weekend Listen: Are we in a recession? Not technically
Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show "In This Economy?!"
Following a negative performance for economic growth in the first quarter of 2026, the Canadian economy fell into what's been described as a "technical recession". While the headline was pounced on for political debate, with such a small decline (just a 0.1% contraction) and some parts of the economy still doing quite well, econom
