The Big Story

Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show "In This Economy?!". With Thanksgiving days away-- it's time to start thinking about Christmas. At least that's the case for PricewaterhouseCoopers Canada, an accounting firm which has done their annual survey on where families and individuals are at in terms of budgets as they head into the holiday season, and what it could mean for retailers. Host...

Plus: The chief executive of Stelco's U.S-based parent company says hundreds of Southern Ontario steelworkers facing temporary layoffs will be recalled if Canada and the U.S. reach a trade deal on steel. Former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says she saw parallels between herself and Christine Frechette as Quebec's election results came in. Canadian poet Anne Carson won the Nobel Prize in literatu...

The death of a lab worker in Russia has raised fears of the plague. Authorities claim she died of pneumonia from an unknown origin, but have yet to release any other details surrounding if there's a connection to the lab she worked at.  Host Maria Kestane is speaking with Angela Rasmussen, a virologist and the Science Chair for the Save America movement, then she's joined by Maria Popova, a p...

British Columbia NDP leader David Eby says Ottawa needs to impose minimum standards on all social media companies and AI companies requiring that threats of violence be reported to the police. Canada’s Defence Minister is in Alberta to highlight the billions of military dollars being spent there, with less than two weeks to go before Albertans vote on whether it’s time to quit confederation. The P...

When a person hacks a government website, it's illegal. But when a rogue AI agent does it, it's an incident that needs 'further investigation'.   Canada has invested billions of dollars into AI infrastructure and education, and although safety is a top priority according to Ottawa, robust legislation and regulation to govern the software has not kept up with the momentum. Host Maria Kestane i...

Plus: Christine Fréchette is resigning as leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec, but will stay on as premier until her P.Q. successor is sworn in. Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit Turkey from October 21st to 23rd as Canada seeks stronger trade, defence and investment ties with the NATO ally. Countries around the world are pushing Russia for more information about the death of a 28-year-old re...

Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has been voted in as Quebec's newest Premier.  His party, Parti Québécois, secured their minority government on Monday night's election with 59 seats, up from three seats back in 2022. Among his plans for the province, he eyes holding a referendum in a push to separate Quebec from Canada. And although Plamondon promised to wait until US President Trump left the White...

Plus: Health care and taxes dominate the election campaign in British Columbia with the Conservatives criticizing the NDP's record, the Manitoba government is proposing changes that would eliminate window coverings on all cannabis storefronts because of safety concerns, the head coach of Canada's men's soccer team says he has a unique perspective when it comes to speaking out on political issues,...

Ottawa is furthering its pursuit of building a stronger, more sovereign Canada. Bill C-39, the Build Canada Strong Act is the latest omnibus legislation that aims to reform parts of the Canadian Labour Code, as well as streamline projects deemed of 'national interest' . Critics, however, say the bill throws environmental protection, Indigenous consultation and workers' rights all into limbo. Among...

Plus: Cornell's Jane Doe has received multiple threats to withdraw her lawsuit, Florida voters are deciding whether to scrap property tax with Canadians potentially having to foot the bill, a dozen people are isolating after a lab worker dies in Russia from pneumonia of an 'unknown origin', a new report says screen time and social media use should be deemed a public health issue, and how can Canad...

Ontario has become the latest province to extend their $10-a-day childcare deal with the federal government. It's a policy that's undoubtably reduced prices for Canadians, but that doesn't mean it's become more accessible. A crisis of affordability has become one of availability, as the number of open spots across the province is far fewer than the demand for them. So, what needs to happen to make...

Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show "In This Economy?!". The drama around Canada-U.S. trade and U.S. President Trump's ramp up in rhetoric might all be connected to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s decision to push back. Many of us are now watching closely and voters south of the border prepare to vote in their midterms, where Canadians are hoping a Democratic congress could put a check on...

Plus: A top official at the Bank of Canada says monetary policymakers are struggling to find new tools and pathways to address persistent housing affordability challenges, the Saskatchewan government and Bell Canada say work is ramping up on the company's mega A.I. data centre outside Regina, Canadian Astronaut Joshua Kutryk is now aboard the International Space Station as a mission specialist on...

Digital cameras, wired headphones, Discmans galore.  If you're noticing more and more technological regression in your everyday life, you're not alone. People seem to be opting for less-advanced tools and toys, for the more simple, analogue items. Why? Well, that's what we're trying to figure out. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Ramishah Maruf, writer for CNN Business, as well as Richard Lachman...

Plus: Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to announce today that an oil pipeline to the west coast will be designated as a project of national interest. Industry Minister Melanie Joly says the government is evaluating all its options after an Ontario steel producer announced hundreds of job cuts this week, members of British Columbia's Tsawwassen first nation lined the road, drummed and chanted...

Another Canadian is heading to space! Alberta-native Joshua Kutryk will be on his way this week for a six-month visit to the International Space Station, alongside three other crew members onboard NASA’s SpaceX Crew 13 mission. They plan on conducting research, maintenance, as well as experiments as they orbit the Earth.  Host Catherine Jetté speaks to Major Erin Edwards, NASA Deputy Branch C...

Plus: Several events are being held across Canada as the country remembers its residential school legacy and honours survivors and victims, mid-term elections are right around the corner for the U.S. as Carney says he won't apply new trade pressure right now, more U.S. troops are leaving Iraq, and a new survey finds young Canadians are growing more and more skeptical of democracy in this country....

As Prime Minister Mark Carney longs for a stronger Canada, his lust for fast-tracking projects signals a threat to meaningful conversation and consultation from Indigenous groups. Earlier this month at his Investment Summit in Toronto, hundreds of protestors across the country gathered in opposition to his pitch for a trillion dollars in exchange for what they feel like is their say in projects. S...

Plus: Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Vancouver, set to make a major announcement related to the energy industry. Ontario Premier Doug Ford says Albertans need to stay Canadian. Ukrainians who survived Russian captivity are thanking Canada for its advocacy and for funding programs to help children heal from trauma. Canada will mark its 5th National Truth and Reconciliation day on September 30th,...

Yemen's Houthi rebels have further complicated any chance at restoring global security and trade in the Middle East, after taking control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait and Yemen's Red Sea coastline. They've since attacked numerous Saudi Arabian ships trying to pass through, as well as launched drone attacks into country.  Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has asked US President Trump for help, b...

Plus: Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre wants to eliminate all tax on diesel sales until at least Canada Day, the Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ annual memorial service in Ottawa has recognized five police officers and a correctional services officer who died this year, a decade after their final concert a staple of Canadiana joined the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. We love feedback at...

More than 451,000 additional lives may be taken come February as a result of extreme heat from this year's 'super' El Niño. That's according to a recent study by the Climate Impact Lab, who also says these deaths can be avoided if the right mitigation plans are put in place. Host Maria Kestane is speaking with Genevieve Maricle, the Executive Director of the Climate Impact Lab, about where these 4...

Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show "In This Economy?!" It’s a long running issue for Canadians: affordable housing. Its lack thereof leaves many spending a large amount of their income solely on keeping a roof over their head. And at a time where just about everything seems to be getting more expensive, the idea of ownership seems distant for many. Host Kris McCusker speaks to Bruce S...

Plus: the Federal government is trying to relieve concerns after a New York Times report claimed Canada has considered military scenarios to defend against an attack from the U.S., today is the last day to apply for a mail-in ballot for Alberta's October 19th referendum, and September 25 is now Dolly Parton Day. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can...

If you've gone to a concert recently-- or any event really-- you've probably noticed them come out. Maybe they've obstructed your view. Maybe you've pulled one out yourself. Maybe you've judged people for it. Maybe they're so ubiquitous now, you actually haven't thought about them at all. Of course, we're referring to cell phones. They're a topic of contention, with plenty of people ready to tell...