The Big Story

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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

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...

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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

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 @thebigstory.bsky.s...

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 fro...

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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

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 T...

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...

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...

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 Sto...

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@t...

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 @thebigstory.bsky.so...

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 prov...

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...

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...

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...

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 sp...

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 real...

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: Thr...

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 tar...

There are more electric vehicles on the market than ever before. But, Canadian car shoppers are showing less interest in buying an E-V, citing a number of concerns that have always dogged the technology.   In today's edition of the Big Story, host Mike Eppel is separating myths from reality and look at whether the automotive industry needs to look at its messaging to consumers.   Today's guests: J...

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 Champag...

A recent string of food recalls from cucumbers to almond milk have a lot of Canadians wondering: are the products we buy at the grocery store as safe as they used to be?  Since 2023, 12 Canadians have died from either listeria or salmonella in outbreaks linked to contaminated food.    These deaths are a tragic reminder that food safety can’t be taken for granted.  Is Canada’s food inspection syste...

After some consumer optimism earlier this fall, new research now shows positive views on the economy are on the decline after the U.S. election. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is describing it as a "vibecession".   Host Mike Eppel is digging into this with Nik Nanos, the chief data scientist at Nanos Research.   We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You...

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...