The Big Story

Plus: European leaders meet in Brussels, Poilievre on Joe Rogan's podcast, Canada's ranking on the World Happiness Report, and can the Canadian Armed Forces keep out white supremacists? 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

A recent investigation exposed several members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) had accounts on a whites-only dating site that worked to promote white supremacy ideology. It comes almost a year after the RCMP arrested four men, including CAF members for plotting to forcibly take over land in Quebec using military weapons. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Dr. David Hofmann, the Director of the Crimino...

Plus: The Bank of Canada holds key interest rate at 2.25%, the federal government is appealing a ruling on its use of the Emergencies Act, and Venezuela wins the World Baseball Classic. 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 an emotional rollercoaster of a week so far for US President Trump. First he was greatly disappointed that none of his allies wanted to donate their military resources to guard commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Then he said he wasn't surprised that NATO worked on what he called a 'one way street' basis. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Willy Lowry, one of the hosts of Two Blocks...

Plus: Canadian home sales slow, the Vatican returns Indigenous items to Canada, a federal investigation into numerous fishing regulations is underway, and what is A-I baby slop? 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 like brain-rot but for babies. And all of a sudden, it's not funny anymore. AI baby slop, a form of content that consists of highly stimulating audio and video of random objects and sounds, posted on YouTube, and found by children whose algorithm cues it up after their parent chose a separate video. Host Catherine Jette speaks with Dr. Keri Ewart, Chair of the Bachelor of Education program an...

Plus: The cost of living saw a big cool down last month, Carney is in London, rising fuel costs, and will Canada's immigration system regret relying on Artificial Intelligence? 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

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently announced its AI Strategy as part of the AI Strategy for the Federal Public Service 2025-2027. Included are measures to streamline the ministry's administrative tasks using AI without allowing the technology to make executive decisions on applications. According to the IRCC, AI has been used since 2013, although only for what it call...

Plus: February was a bad month for the labour market, Carney arrives in Norway, Canadians are changing their March Break travel plans, NASA's historic flight, and is Canada missing the mark on alcohol awareness? 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

What is the most harmful substance in Canada? You may not be able to guess it-- but according to a recent Canada-wide study, it's alcohol. While it may not cause the most deaths, the study suggests it causes the most harms. And that's aggravated by that fact that most Canadians are woefully uninformed about the basics of alcohol safety and consumption. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Dr. Iris Gorfink...

Plus: FIFA World Cup ticket sales, federal funding for synagogues, a new survey about Alberta separatism, and addressing vaccine hesitancy. 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

From growing unvaccinated in an anti-science household, to becoming an immunologist and vaccine advocate, Dr. Elisabeth Marnik knows what it's like being shamed for not rolling up her sleeves. She says in a climate of rising mis/disinformation in the healthcare world, empathy will always win. Host Catherine Jette speaks to Dr. Marnik about her experience, what lead her to becoming an immunologist,...

Plus: Iran takes aim at its adversaries’ economic interests, the impact of the Iran war on Canadians’ wallets, a bill could open up the shipping of alcohol across provincial lines, the mayor of Vancouver is sued for defamation, and new details after a woman opened fire on Rihanna’s home in Los Angeles. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:...

The conflict in the Middle East is well into its second week, and just like rest of the world, Canadians are starting to see its impacts in our everyday lives - including at the gas station. Correspondence from the White House only seems to be making it worse, with oil prices heading in every which direction after a false claim from US Energy Minister Wright on the movement of an oil tanker throug...

Plus: Iranian women's soccer players are given Australian visas, a rare student protest in Cuba, TikTok can keep its Canadian office open, and trade vs. security: Canada's complex relationship with India. 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

Two years ago, then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told parliament there was credible evidence that the Indian government was involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen, sparking a national discussion about trans-national repression, and creating serious tension between Canada and India. Since taking over as Prime Minister, Mark Carney has put in the work trying to rebuild ties, inviting India t...

Plus: The Federal NDP will choose a new leader, Canadians appear to be drinking less, and gold for Canada at the Paralympic games. 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

In the immediate aftermath of the US-Israel strikes on Iran, Prime Minister Mark Carney came out with a declaration of support, which later developed into what he calls a 'regretful' position due to the lack of international order. So what exactly is Canada's position? And what would military involvement mean for Canada? Host Maria Kestane speaks with Dr. Alexander Salt, a post-doctoral fellow at...

Enjoy this special feed drop of our two-part investigative series 'Before Morgentaler: Making It Legal'. On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the case that legalized abortion in the country in 1973. The decision shocked many around the world, and has had folks wondering: could this happen here, at home, in Canada? And what led up to this historic moment in the U.S.? Wha...

Enjoy this special feed drop of our two-part investigative series 'Before Morgentaler Part One: Law Breakers'. This year marks the 38th anniversary of the Supreme Court of Canada’s Morgentaler Decision. That landmark decision decriminalized abortion across Canada and turned the courageous Dr. Henry Morgentaler into a household name. As pivotal a part of Canada’s abortion rights story as Dr. Morgen...

Plus: Marking a full week of war in Iran, CUSMA negotiations resume, Kristi Noem's replacement, one year after Canada's oldest company filed for creditor protection, the Paralympic Winter Games kick off, and experts talk about Daylight Saving Time. 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 @thebi...

This weekend, just like the early March weekend last year, and the year before, the clocks will spring forward an hour. Not only that, but also the age-old debate of whether or not we should ditch the time change will also reignite. Last week BC Premier David Eby announced his province's permanent change to daylight saving time, however, we've seen this movie playout before. And just as passionate...

Plus: an update on the war and the effort to get Canadians out of the Middle East, gas prices are up across Canada, how offsite classrooms could impact Tumbler Ridge survivors’ mental health, Britney Spears is arrested for DUI in California, and how are the Epstein files giving new life to conspiracy theories? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can f...

More than 3.5 million pages of Epstein-related documents have been released under the Trump administration, fanning the flames of online conspiracy theorists who are determined to pinpoint a reality the rest of us 'can't see'. Including believers of Pizzagate or Qanon. Another reality - one that majority of us can see - is the one where online conspiracy subcultures have made their way into the ma...

Plus: The US sinks an Iranian warship as America says more military action is coming, Pierre Poilievre goes on his own foreign mission to Europe, a new call for an inquest into the Tumbler Ridge shooting, the man responsible for the Humboldt Broncos bus crash could be deported, and why is Alberta blaming its identity crisis on immigrants? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions f...