It started with a social media post that some dismissed as a joke. Now, President-elect Donald Trump is threatening to use “economic force” to make Canada a U.S. state. Is he serious? What’s going on here? Host David Smith speaks with Professor Ian Lee from the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University about what this all says for the Canada-U.S. relationship under a second Trump presidency. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Th...
Jan 08, 2025•24 min•Ep 1329•Transcript available on Metacast It's the end of the Trudeau era - but the beginning of what's going to be a new chapter in Canadian politics. There's a lot of uncertainty and a lot at stake. So what's the next move for Canada's political parties and who will be the next Liberal leader? Host David Smith digs in to this with two of the best political minds in Ottawa who sit on both sides of the political spectrum. Guests: Susan Smith, principal of Blue Sky Strategy Group and Tim Powers, chair of Summa Strategies and managing dir...
Jan 07, 2025•31 min•Ep 1327•Transcript available on Metacast Bonus episode Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced he will resign and has prorogued Parliament until March 24th. He will stay on as leader and Prime Minister until the Liberal Party has chosen a new leader. This sets the stage for a federal election in the spring of this year. What happens next? And what will Justin Trudeau’s legacy be? Host David Smith speaks with NewsRadio's Parliament Hill Bureau Chief Cormac MacSweeney on an historic day in Canadian politics. We love feedback at The B...
Jan 06, 2025•16 min•Ep 1326•Transcript available on Metacast For generations, Canada and the United States have enjoyed a special relationship. Our cultural, political and economic ties run deep, but they are not immune from destructive forces. Like all relationships, it faces tests and challenges. Any disruptive changes south of the border will have major impacts on Canada and Canadians. So what’s at stake with the incoming Trump administration? Host David Smith speaks with Matthew Lebo, professor of political science and expert on American politics at W...
Jan 06, 2025•21 min•Ep 1325•Transcript available on Metacast It may have been a joke at the Mar-a-Lago dinner with PM Justin Trudeau and President-elect Donald Trump, but the question is out there: is there a risk of Canada becoming the 51st state? On top of that, what is the future of Canadian-U.S. relations with Trump coming back to office? Host Cormac Mac Sweeney is speaking with Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Thro...
Jan 04, 2025•23 min•Ep 1299•Transcript available on Metacast We've heard these stories time and time again - a crime committed by someone who was out on bail. Multiple stories have led to a lot of finger pointing about who is responsible for fixing our bail system and renewed calls for bail reform. On this episode of The Big Story we talk to York Regional Police Superintendent Ryan Hogan and Associate Minister of Auto Theft and Bail Reform Graham McGregor. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Thro...
Jan 03, 2025•19 min•Ep 1324•Transcript available on Metacast There could be major changes coming to Canada's labour market in 2025 after a bumpy couple of years. If you are a job seeker - where you live and which sector you work in will determine your success. And federal immigration policy is likely to play a big role. Host Kris McCusker speaks to Indeed's Senior Economist Brendon Bernard about his expectations going forward. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstory...
Jan 02, 2025•17 min•Ep 1320•Transcript available on Metacast What were Canadians drinking this year? On this New Year's Eve, host Richard Southern is digging into what we were sipping this year and digs into Canadians' changing tastes with Alanna Bailey, Senior Spirits Director at LCBO. 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 @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter...
Dec 31, 2024•14 min•Ep 1315•Transcript available on Metacast 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 @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter
Dec 30, 2024•11 min•Ep 1323•Transcript available on Metacast The Big Story partners with NewsRadio to break down the biggest stories in politics in 2024. 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 @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter
Dec 29, 2024•8 min•Ep 1321•Transcript available on Metacast The Big Story partners with NewsRadio for a look back at some of the biggest stories of 2024. 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 @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter
Dec 28, 2024•11 min•Ep 1322•Transcript available on Metacast If it feels like your kids are bleeding you dry, there's evidence that it's actually true. A new story in the Walrus suggests the average amount to raise 2 kids until they're 17 is $293,000, even more if the kids attend post-secondary. Host Kris McCusker is speaking with the writer of the piece in the Walrus, Chantal Braganza. 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 @thebigstoryfpn on Tw...
Dec 27, 2024•12 min•Ep 1297•Transcript available on Metacast It was a volatile year for the Canadian economy. Host Mike Eppel speaks with Doug Porter, Chief Economist at BMO about what predictions came true this year and what Canadians can expect in 2025. 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 @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter...
Dec 24, 2024•22 min•Ep 1318•Transcript available on Metacast It's been a busy year for Toronto mayor Olivia Chow. Host Momin Qureshi sits down with Chow at Toronto City Hall to talk about some of the challenges this year and what's expected for residents in Canada's biggest city in 2025. 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 @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter...
Dec 23, 2024•22 min•Ep 1316•Transcript available on Metacast Superstar Taylor Swift had 9 sold out shows in Canada this year and while some Swifties were able to snag tickets via Ticketmaster, others weren't so lucky. Many opted to take the third-party route and ended up spending outrageous amounts of money for a chance to see the show. Is there a better way to buy concert tickets? On this episode of the Big Story we talk to Shannon Mckarney from Etobicoke, Ontario who's started a petition on Change.org calling for the regulation of ticket re-selling. We ...
Dec 22, 2024•8 min•Ep 1317•Transcript available on Metacast NewsRadio's national talk show host Rob Snow sits down with leader of the Official Opposition, Pierre Poilievre, about the dramatic week in Canadian politics and what comes next. 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 @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter...
Dec 21, 2024•16 min•Ep 1319•Transcript available on Metacast We're looking into our crystal ball here at the Big Story and looking at some of the economic trends, both positive and negative, that will dominate in Canada in 2025. Host Kris McCusker speaks to Shannon Terrell and Clay Jarvis at NerdWallet Canada about what they’re watching going forward and how Canadians can put themselves in the best position to thrive next year. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstor...
Dec 20, 2024•16 min•Ep 1314•Transcript available on Metacast What a week in Canadian politics! From a stunning resignation, to a tonne of speculation about the future of Justin Trudeau, there's a lot to talk about. Host Mike Eppel is breaking down a historic week with Darryl Bricker, the Global CEO of Ipsos Public affairs and digging in about what comes next. 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 @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter...
Dec 19, 2024•17 min•Ep 1313•Transcript available on Metacast In the weeks since United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down on the street in Manhattan, the public’s reaction has become a major part of the story. While some condemn the killing of an innocent man, many are publicly celebrating the shooter’s act of violence. Why are so many Americans unfazed by the targeted killing of a CEO? Host David Smith speaks with Ali Breland, staff writer for The Atlantic, who has been writing about the public’s treatment of alleged killer Luigi Mangione. We ...
Dec 18, 2024•16 min•Ep 1312•Transcript available on Metacast It was chaos in the nation’s capital on Monday as Parliament Hill was rocked by the sudden resignation of federal finance minister Chrystia Freeland. What does this latest high profile resignation mean for the Trudeau government’s future? Host David Smith speaks with Garry Keller, former advisor to prime minister Stephen Harper and Vice President at Strategy Corp. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypod...
Dec 17, 2024•24 min•Ep 1311•Transcript available on Metacast Today, the government will be unveiling its fall fiscal update - what should Canadians be expecting? And are the Liberals trying to spend their way to re-election? Host Cormac Mac Sweeney with Tyler Meredith, Senior Fellow, Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. 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 @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter...
Dec 16, 2024•18 min•Ep 1310•Transcript available on Metacast A new study suggests 74% of Canadian professionals are looking to change jobs. In this economy, is now a good time? Is the grass always greener? Host Mike Eppel speaks with Martin Fox, Managing Director at Robert Walters Canada. 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 @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter...
Dec 15, 2024•16 min•Ep 1307•Transcript available on Metacast Over the past few years, homeless encampments have become a fixture in every major city across Canada. Governments of all stripes have been grappling with the best approach to dealing with them. Is it best to clear out encampments, and push the people living there into the shelter system? Or is it better to take a hands off approach, and accommodate encampments as best as possible? In the province of Ontario, the Ford Government has taken the drastic step of tabling legislation to give municipal...
Dec 13, 2024•24 min•Ep 1309•Transcript available on Metacast The jumbo cut expected by the Bank of Canada actually happened - but what does it mean for you? Host Kris McCusker speaks with Senior Economist Jules Boudreau at Mackenzie Investments about his concerns for the Canadian economy – and why he thinks interest rates will need to move lower. 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 @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter...
Dec 12, 2024•20 min•Ep 1308•Transcript available on Metacast After 50 years of the oppressive Assad regime, the people of Syria will get a new government. In just two weeks, rebel forces swept through the country and took control of the capital of Damascus. Now, the hard work of nation building begins. Can a new regime heal a traumatized country and usher in an era of peace and prosperity for the long-suffering Syrian people? Host David Smith speaks with Professor Elliot Tepper, Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Norman Paterson School of International Af...
Dec 11, 2024•26 min•Ep 1306•Transcript available on Metacast While inflation may have cooled in Canada this year, the price of groceries is still increasing faster than before the pandemic. According to the 2025 Canadian Food Price Report, families can expect to pay $800 more for food next year than they did this year. But it's not all bad news - there are some savings to be had! Host David Smith speaks with report author Sylvain Charlebois, head of the Agrifood Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, about the outlook for Canadians struggling to fill the ...
Dec 10, 2024•27 min•Ep 1305•Transcript available on Metacast Taking a flight can be expensive, and you could be facing new fees in the new year. Air Canada has announced new charges for passengers picking their lowest fare option, so if you want to bring a carry on bag, or pick your seat, then you’ll have additional charges. The federal government says it's disappointed by this news, but hasn’t said what action it will take. Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with John Gradek, an aviation management lecturer at McGill University about why airlines are chargin...
Dec 09, 2024•18 min•Ep 1304•Transcript available on Metacast Times are tough for many Canadians - and maybe spending money you don't have doesn't fit into your plans this year. Or maybe you want the money you do spend on gifts to be put to good use. Lisa Hannam is the Editor in Chief at MoneySense.ca. She speaks to host Kris McCusker about how to have an awkward conversation if you don't want to buy gifts this year - and would rather focus on what's really important. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can fi...
Dec 08, 2024•11 min•Ep 1302•Transcript available on Metacast It's not just something you put on your weekend pancakes - it's a huge industry in Canada that's been under threat in recent years. What's the deal with Canada's maple syrup industry? Host David Smith speaks with Randal Goodfellow, President of the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers' Association. 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 @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter...
Dec 07, 2024•15 min•Ep 1303•Transcript available on Metacast On December 6, 1989 a lone gunman walked into Montreal’s École Polytechnique and began shooting female students. The young man was motivated by his misogynistic hatred for women. He targeted his victims because they were women. By the time his rampage was over, 14 young women lay dead. It was a tragedy that shook the nation to its core. Never before had our country seen such horrific violence targeted at young women. The Polytechnique shooting galvanized the women's movement in Canada and put a ...
Dec 06, 2024•24 min•Ep 1301•Transcript available on Metacast 
