The Big Story

Plus: a First Nation in Northern Quebec is under lockdown, General Motors is moving forward with job cuts, we're hearing from Donald Trump's border czar, and Pierre Poilievre has a leadership review. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

After an unremarkable blow in last year's federal election - at both the national and riding level - all eyes will be on Conservative Leader, Pierre Poilievre's leadership abilities during the Conservative Party Convention in Calgary. Beyond the losses, Canadians seem to have questions as to whether or not Poilievre is meeting the moment amid renewed annexation threats from US President Trump. Hos...

Plus: Canada's premiers are meeting in Ottawa, immigration enforcement crackdowns continue in Minneapolis, a woman now officially leads the Church of England, and do we need more inconvenience in our lives again? Bank of Canada holds key rate steady as CUSMA talks loom over its outlook Kingsbury, Thompson named Canada’s flag-bearers for 2026 Olympic Games   We love feedback at The Big Story, as we...

What if we told you the key to a more fulfilling life is by making yourself a little....uncomfortable? We're not just talking about reducing scroll time on your phone or fighting the urge to binge watch a show. We're talking about doing the grocery shopping for a friend that you're about to pick up from the airport, or actually following through on dinner plans you committed to even though you may...

Plus ICE could be accompanying US staff to the Olympics in Italy, the latest from Iran's crackdown on anti-government protests, and will NATO be able to outlast Trump's second term? 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

After exclaiming that a reality where Greenland isn't owned by the US wasn't possible, President Trump has seemed to take the gloves off and use an approach he hasn't necessarily been reaching for lately - diplomacy. Last week, Trump announced a framework to a future deal in respect to Greenland and the Arctic as a whole. Although annexation threats have calmed, the vulnerabilities of Canada's por...

Plus the Bank of Canada could pause any interest changes for the year, the historic snowfall across Canada and the United States, and ex-Olympian Ryan Wedding is behind bars. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

It's a story that rivals a Hollywood blockbuster. A Canadian man who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics as a snowboarder, who then went on to become one of the most notorious drug lords in North America - landing himself on the FBI Ten Most Wanted list - who was on the run for a decade in Mexico, has now been arrested and faces arraignment today. Investigators say Ryan Wedding turned himself int...

Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show, In This Economy?! If you're in the market for a new truck or car, you might face sticker shock! The average price for a new vehicle in the Canadian market is now more than $60,000, and used vehicle prices are on the rise, too. So what options are you left with if you're looking for a new ride but can't afford the inflated price tag? How do tariffs p...

Catch up on Canada’s top stories, with insight from reporters across the country. From breaking news to politics, sports, climate, and culture, Big Headlines makes staying connected to the pulse of the country easier than ever. Perfect for busy Canadians on the go! Big Headlines premieres Monday January 26th We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can fin...

They say it's about collaboration and face-to-face interactions - but you're still expected to join your virtual meeting in a private call booth. So, what's really behind these RTO mandates? If the research shows better work-life balance and productivity when employees have the option to work remotely, what's the big push for the big return? Does work-from-home still exist six years after the pand...

As immigration raids continue across the US - specifically in Minnesota where thousands of protesters are taking to the streets denouncing ICE following the shooting death of Renee Good - political polarization couldn't be more rampant. Earlier this week, the US Department of Justice subpoenaed at least five Minnesota officials for their alleged involvement in obstructing ICE officers from doing t...

It was a standing ovation in Davos. Prime Minister Mark Carney sparking inspiration while signifying the death of what once was in the world of international relations. Urging countries to form new alliances and leave the way things used to be in the past, as we tread forward in an era with new rules and less boundaries - specifically within US President Trump's moral limits. Host Richard Southern...

Toronto and Vancouver are set to see one of their busiest summers yet with the arrival of the World Cup. And as hundreds of thousands prepare to make memories and have fun, city and provincial officials can't help but brace for the impact the games will have on their healthcare systems. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Dr. Catherine Varner, emergency physician and Deputy Editor of the Canadian Medical...

Canada has been lockstep with the U-S when it comes to trade policy with China for years. Last week, that changed. PM Mark Carney’s new tariff deal with China will allow 49,000 Chinese EVs into the country every year for three years at a dramatically-slashed tariff of only 6.1 per cent—in exchange for a reduced tariff on canola seeds, lobster, crab and other agricultural products exported to China...

The third Monday of January has often been called "Blue Monday" - but the winter blues aren't just limited to one day of the year. Canadians like to pride ourselves on how we brave the cold months, but we may have a lot to learn from how Scandinavian countries approach things. Host Kaitlin Lee speaks to Kari Leibowitz, psychologist and author of How to Winter: Harness Your Mindset to Thrive on Col...

Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show, In This Economy?! The headlines just two weeks into 2026 haven't fallen short of anything abysmal, especially centered around the happenings of US President Donald Trump. And although geopolitical uncertainty usually doesn't help the markets, Canadian stocks have continued to see record highs. Host Mike Eppel speaks to Andrew Pyle, senior investment...

More than 12,000 people have reportedly been killed over the past several weeks of anti-government protests across Iran - including one Canadian, according to Foreign Affairs. Meantime, US President trump has vowed to take action against the Iranian regimes if the death and corruption continues amid the protests. Host Mark Day speaks to Maral Karimi, professor at Toronto Metropolitan University an...

AI-generated sexualized images of women and children started appearing across X beginning late 2025. These images, created by user prompts on the Grok AI tool, showed women and children in various stages of undress and sexualized poses. Some reports claiming minors appeared in transparent bathing suits. Governments in Europe and South America promised full investigations. Malaysia and Indonesia ba...

In 2016, the Canadian federal government recognized the opioid crisis as a public health emergency, yet 10 years later, thousands of Canadians die from opioid toxicity every year. Health Canada committed $17 million to research projects and harm reduction initiatives aimed at substance use prevention in late 2025, but one problem that's hard to put a dollar figure on to fix is stigmatization and s...

The Alberta separatism movement isn’t new, but this most recent resurgence seems a little more potent. That's in part because of the passage of Alberta’s Bill 14, which has made it arguably easier for citizen-led initiatives to end up on referendum ballots. And the question of Alberta sovereignty is likely to end up on a ballot by the end of the year. The Alberta Prosperity Project got the green l...

What were once mildly-concerning threats against the sovereignty of Greenland, have now come into clear focus in the aftermath of Nicolas Maduro's arrest. US President Donald Trump openly admitted he's governed by his own morality rather than international law, sending shockwaves around the world in fear of the future of NATO. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Stephen Maher, author and journalist, to di...

2025 was no walk in the park for investors, homeowners, or the ordinary Canadian alike on the economic front, and a little over a week into 2026, and it seems like this year isn't looking any better. Host Mike Eppel speaks to James McCann, Senior Economist at Edward Jones to discuss what Canadians can expect from ongoing trade talks between Canada and the US, how the arrest of Venezuela's Presiden...

It's been quite the start to 2026, from the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, to further peacekeeping efforts for Ukraine in France. And although Prime Minister Mark Carney has been trying to keep up with the chaos, Canadians can't help but feel anxious about the future of our sovereignty, safety, and international relations. Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks to Glen McGregor, political...

A traumatizing, air travel experience is no stranger to the everyday Canadian. But it seems the TikToks and online posts of complaints seem to do little in terms of garnering real and sustainable change from our aviation sector. The federal government recently granted more access to Middle Eastern airlines to fly into Canadian airports in hopes of creating competition. It comes in response to a 20...