The Big Five Podcast

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. Elias Makos is joined by Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, and columnist for the Montreal Gazette, and Sue Smith, Montreal journalist and broadcaster. Quebec's party leaders square off tonight in the first of two crucial back-to-back election debates on TVA. A leaked internal document revealed an eight billion dollar Santé Québec computer system project facing a six billion dollar funding shortfall. Federal Liberal MPs voiced alarm over a surprise caucus plan to privatize and open Canada's major airports to foreign investment. The MUHC launched a medical study paying healthy volunteers under forty to intentionally infect themselves with the influenza virus.

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform.Elias Makos is joined by Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist, and former special advisor to Valerie Plante, and Akil Alleyne, reporter, commentator, and manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program. New provincial election polls show the Parti Québécois holding its lead as Premier Christine Fréchette's trade war boost begins to disappear. Internal Quebec Liberal insiders are heavily criticizing Charles Milliard's campaign, labeling it a complete trainwreck. Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to Europe to explore a first-of-its-kind associate membership alliance with the European Union. The ongoing Canada-US trade war has pushed Mark Carney's national polling numbers to a dominant forty-nine percent. Montreal Canadiens fans will face higher costs this season as Amazon Prime secures exclusive rights to broadcast seven regular-season games.

Trudie Mason welcomes in Daniel Tran, political analyst and former municipal economic development advisor, and Dan Delmar, independent political analyst, media strategist, and co-founder of TNKR Media. The twenty-fifth anniversary of 9/11 leaves Canadians questioning how a historic ally became a bitter trade war enemy. The Quebec Court of Appeal rejected Montreal's urgent bid to evict a permanent homeless encampment in the Plateau. PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon estimated a future Quebec sovereignty referendum would cost taxpayers one hundred and thirty million dollars. Premier Christine Fréchette dodged questions about her personal stance on separation, dismissing her past PQ ties as irrelevant. A striking new Angus Reid poll shows Mark Carney pulling over one million previous Conservative voters into the Liberal camp.  

Trudie Mason welcomes in Bonnie Feigenbaum, former Conservative Party of Quebec candidate, lecturer at Concordia and McGill, and media consultant, and political analyst Karim Boulos. Quebec's five major party leaders pitched competing visions on television ahead of Monday's first crucial election debate. Pierre Poilievre travels to New York to pitch free trade with Washington as the federal Liberals hold a fourteen-point poll lead. Donald Trump promised to give every adult US citizen five thousand dollars if Republicans win the upcoming midterm elections. Police caught two Hells Angels members violating Quebec's new anti-patch law by displaying gang colours in Longueuil. A former AI employee warned tech giants are gambling with human lives by racing toward unregulated superintelligence.

Trudie Mason welcomes in Sue Smith, Montreal journalist and broadcaster, and Lionel Perez, former Montreal opposition leader and CEO of CorpCentre. Donald Trump banned Canadian alcohol, dairy, and motorcycles in a fierce retaliation against Canada's latest counter-tariffs. Former Premier Jean Charest argued that Trump's aggressive trade war might ultimately force Canada to diversify its global economic partnerships. Canada and China quietly resumed high-level military coordination dialogues, drawing heavy fire and skepticism from federal Conservatives. Montreal spent over seven hundred thousand dollars on new pothole-repair machines that critics warn cannot operate during winter conditions.

Trudie Mason welcomes in Andrew Caddell, columnist for the Hill Times and President of the Task Force on Linguistic Policy, and Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, and columnist for the Montreal Gazette. Retaliatory tariffs against seven hundred US goods launched today amid warnings from trade envoy Louise Blais that things will get worse. Premier Christine Fréchette announced new protectionist measures forcing key provincial construction contracts to use fifteen percent local materials. The Quebec Conservatives criticized Élections Québec for rehiring a returning officer whose previous ballot error forced a by-election do-over. Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand injected a zero homelessness target into the provincial campaign, demanding immediate social housing investments. A massive wave of expensive Dionmania hit Paris following Céline Dion's high-profile return to the spotlight.

Akil Alleyne welcomes in Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist, and former special advisor to Valerie Plante, and Paul Gott, lead singer of the Ripcordz and journalism professor at Concordia. The Carney government will trigger massive retaliatory tariffs against seven hundred US goods tomorrow as Donald Trump continues mocking Canada online. PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon pledged to force digital giants like Netflix and Spotify to maintain a thirty percent francophone content quota. Québec solidaire challenged all provincial parties to commit to electoral reform to fix the current first-past-the-post voting system. Ontario schools are launching strict new academic rules tomorrow, including attendance-based grading and standardized tests. Rapper Snoop Dogg announced a global search for an ice cream tester to travel and track dessert trends for thirty thousand dollars.

Trudie Mason welcomes in Rudy Husny, political analyst and former advisor in the Harper government, and Victor Henriquez, public affairs and crisis management specialist at Public Strategy and Conseil. Liberal Leader Charles Milliard accused Premier Christine Fréchette of launching an unjustified attack on English-speaking voters' rights. The Quebec Conservative Party promised a new family allowance paying one hundred dollars a week to parents who keep children at home. Community advocates are pushing to move supervised drug consumption sites inside Quebec hospitals to improve neighbourhood safety. A trade war investigation revealed millions of cheap American eggs are flooding Quebec grocery shelves disguised by low prices. The Bank of Canada unveiled a new vertical twenty dollar bill featuring King Charles III and advanced anti-counterfeiting technology.

Trudie Mason welcomes in Meeker Guerrier, commentator at Noovo and RDS, and Lea Streliski, best-selling author, comedian, and columnist. Economy Minister Bernard Drainville faced immediate backlash and a walkback order after swearing at Donald Trump on air. Quebec Liberal insiders are panicking that Premier Christine Fréchette is successfully stealing their traditional federalist and economic base. Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada warned of traffic hell as a blue-collar strike threatens to disrupt the upcoming World Cycling Championships. A surprising new Leger poll reveals Canadian happiness is rising, with Quebec and Montreal leading the entire country.

Trudie Mason welcomes in Akil Alleyne, reporter, commentator, and manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program, and Dan Delmar, independent political analyst, media strategist, and co-founder of TNKR Media. Élections Québec announced voter information packages will be mailed exclusively in French to comply with provincial language laws. Investigative reports revealed PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon made multiple financial donations to the federal Liberal Party. Multiple provincial parties face intense scrutiny over candidate vetting failures following a series of controversial past revelations. Columnists Patrick Lagacé and Mathieu Bock-Côté clashed over the reliability and media weaponization of election poll data.

Trudie Mason welcomes in Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, and columnist for the Montreal Gazette, and Sue Smith, Montreal journalist and broadcaster. The Liberals swept three federal by-elections, flipping Chicoutimi-Le Fjord to protect Mark Carney's House majority. Fresh polls reveal a direct PQ and CAQ battle as the Quebec Liberals slide into third place. A new Léger poll shows sixty-six percent of Quebecers support Canada's retaliatory trade war tariffs despite rising prices. Tennis Québec is eyeing a Port of Montreal plot near Habitat sixty-seven for a massive new sports complex.

Trudie Mason is joined by Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist, and former special advisor to Valerie Plante, and Bonnie Feigenbaum, former Conservative Party of Quebec candidate, lecturer at Concordia and McGill, and media consultant. Prime Minister Mark Carney looks to secure a House majority as voters head to the polls for three federal by-elections. Liberal Leader Charles Milliard dismissed catastrophic claims about the decline of the French language in Montreal. Liberal candidate Michel Bureau caused a political stir by labeling himself a "Liberal Péquiste" and praising his PQ opponent. Premier Doug Ford installed a defiant border sign after Donald Trump issued an executive order renaming Lake Ontario. Internal documents revealed the projected cost for the Alto high-speed rail network has ballooned to one hundred and fifty billion dollars.

Robyn Flynn welcomes Rudy Husny, political analyst and former advisor in the Harper government, and Dan Delmar, independent political analyst, media strategist, and co-founder of TNKR Media. A new Synopsis poll commissioned by Lapresse says the race is now neck and neck between the Parti Québecois and the CAQ. A new war of words has broken out over the collapse of Canada-U.S. trade negotiations. Artificial intelligence could soon play a larger role in Quebec’s legal system. Montreal is expanding its every-other-week garbage collection to parts of four more boroughs. Is replacing your child's goldfish after it died bad parenting?

Robyn Flynn is joined by political analyst Karim Boulos, and Lionel Perez, former Montreal opposition leader and CEO of CorpCentre. Premier Christine Fréchette will launch a thirty-nine day provincial election campaign ahead of the October 5 vote. Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada outlined Montreal's provincial priorities, demanding thousands of shelter beds and water infrastructure funding. Insiders revealed US trade negotiators did not explicitly target Quebec's French language laws during failed tariff talks. Meta agreed to an eighteen billion dollar US youth safety settlement but excluded Canadian teens from new protections.

Akil Alleyne is joined by Andrew Caddell, columnist for the Hill Times and President of the Task Force on Linguistic Policy, and Paul Gott, lead singer of the Ripcordz and journalism professor at Concordia. Ottawa announced twenty-seven billion dollars in retaliatory tariffs and a seven billion dollar business support package. A scathing Auditor General report revealed major gaps in Montreal's emergency shelters and waste management. High-profile figures, including Pauline Marois, published a letter calling for a national summit on homelessness. Retiring and defeated Quebec MNAs stand to receive massive payouts following a recent forty-four percent salary hike. The panel debates the twenty-year legacy of Facebook and its overall societal impact.

Akil Alleyne is joined by Meeker Guerrier, commentator at Noovo and RDS, and Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, and columnist for the Montreal Gazette. Watchdogs cleared former Liberal leader Pablo Rodriguez of wrongdoing, suspecting leaked text messages were completely fabricated. A new Léger poll shows the CAQ jumping four points into a second-place tie as tariff tensions benefit Premier Fréchette. Donald Trump threatened auto tariffs and a Lake Ontario renaming while denying he ever targeted French Canadians. Montreal City Council passed a heavily watered-down Gaza motion after stripping out all boycott and apartheid language. The panel reflects on twenty years of public access to Facebook and the broader cultural impact of social media.

Akil Alleyne is joined by Daniel Tran, Director of Communication and Government Relations at Casacom, and Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist, and former special advisor to Valerie Plante. Trade negotiations collapsed after Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected late US demands, sparking a full-blown tariff war. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Christine Fréchette united to protect Quebec culture from Washington's trade pressures. A Leger poll revealed cost of living is the top issue for non-francophones, while many youth plan to leave Quebec. Montreal City Hall faces a heated debate over a Projet Montréal motion calling for a boycott of Israel.

Trudie Mason is joined by Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, and columnist for the Montreal Gazette, and Lea Streliski, Best-selling author, comedian and columnist. Canada and the U.S. appear to be getting closer to a trade agreement, with Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc saying the two sides are “very close” after another round of negotiations in Washington. Premier Christine Fréchette is facing criticism from the Parti Québécois over her recent decision to make statements in both French and English, particularly when discussing the Canada-U.S. tariff dispute. Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada is promising that SPVM officers will be equipped with body cameras within the next year, reviving a project that has been discussed in Montreal for more than a decade.

Trudie Mason hosts Dan Delmar, media strategist, co-founder of TNKR Media, and independent political analyst, and Akil Alleyne, reporter, commentator, and manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program. Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette warns she will block a Canada-US trade deal unless supply management and cultural protections are fully preserved. A fresh poll reveals nearly half of Canadians want an immediate federal election once a final trade agreement with Washington is secured. CAQ Leader Christine Fréchette pledged a new family plan including flexible parental leave and increased back-to-school payments. [1] The PQ and Liberals unveiled competing election slogans as provincial parties position themselves for the upcoming campaign. A troubling new FAE survey shows sixteen percent of Quebec teachers are planning to leave or are questioning their future in the profession.

Trudie Mason is joined by Meeker Guerrier, commentator at Noovo and RDS, and political analyst Karim Boulos. Donald Trump delayed the fifty percent tariff deadline by three days as a pending Canada-US trade deal takes shape. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon pledged to abolish Santé Québec, claiming the agency added massive administrative costs without improving healthcare. OpenAI is launching a specialized version of ChatGPT for teenagers featuring strict content safeguards and parental controls. The growing popularity of Meta smart glasses has sparked fresh privacy concerns over covert public recording. Québon launched a new six percent milk and cream blend designed specifically for desserts, yogurt, and tea.

Trudie Mason is with Andrew Caddell, columnist for the Hill Times and President of the Task Force on Linguistic Policy, and Paul Gott, lead singer of the Ripcordz and journalism professor at Concordia. PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon pledged to delay any Quebec independence referendum until Donald Trump leaves the White House. Quebec and Newfoundland signed a seventy billion dollar deal reshaping Churchill Falls power rates and funding future hydro projects. The Auditor General warned that Quebec faces massive spending cuts to meet its goal of a balanced budget by 2030. Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada called for the revival of the REM de l’Est transit line to balance service with the West Island. A media investigation criticized the ongoing RCMP security costs for former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during his international travels.

Trudie Mason is with Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist, and former special advisor to Valerie Plante, and Gabriel Retta, special advisor to the mayor. A new Abacus Data poll shows the Carney government's support in Quebec plummeted by eleven points. Canada and the US remain locked in tense negotiations less than forty-eight hours before a massive tariff deadline. CF Montréal issued indefinite stadium bans to two fans following an MLS investigation into antisemitic slurs. Montreal blue-collar workers are threatening a major strike during September's high-profile world cycling championships. The University of Toronto's law faculty plans to ban laptops from some classrooms this fall.

Trudie Mason welcomes in Karim Boulos, Political Analyst, and Daniel Tran, Director of Communication and governmental relations at Casacom. The City of Montreal is warning that the 2026 UCI Road World Championships, taking place September 20–27, will bring the most significant traffic disruptions in recent memory. Radio Canada is reporting new details this morning in the new finalized deal between Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador regarding Churchill Falls. Montreal Police remove an AI camera after it was spotted by a Radio Canada reporter Saint-Anicet is asking residents to weigh in on the future of its popular beach and surrounding waterfront area, as the municipality works toward securing and improving the site.

Trudie Mason hosts Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer at Women in Governance, and Lionel Perez, former Montreal opposition leader and CEO of CorpCentre. [1] Quebec Liberal candidate Farnell Morissett faced heavy criticism for claiming Bill 101 lets the government secretly snoop through phones. Ottawa, Quebec, and Newfoundland are expected to unveil a major new agreement reviving the Churchill Falls hydro project next week. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation exposed a Senate speaker for spending nearly one million dollars on luxury international travel. A constitutional lawsuit is challenging Quebec's law that made the oath of allegiance to the King optional for politicians. A Quebec detention centre will force inmates to wear standardized uniforms to combat rampant gang activity and contraband.  

Trudie Mason is with Dan Delmar, co-founder of TNKR Media and co-host of the Inspiring Entrepreneurs Canada podcast, and Akil Alleyne, reporter, commentator, and manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program. Police Chief Fady Dagher faced community frustration after stating that fixing the culture at Station 39 could take up to ten years. A new Synopsis-Lapresse poll keeps the PQ ahead at thirty percent while the Quebec Conservatives surged up to fifteen percent. Premier Christine Fréchette convened crisis cells to prepare for the potential impact of looming fifty percent US trade tariffs. Prime Minister Mark Carney faced media backlash for vacationing in Tuscany while critical Canada-US trade negotiations continue.

Trudie Mason is joined by Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, and columnist for the Montreal Gazette, and Catherine Hogan, high school teacher at Westwood Senior High in Hudson. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and Leslie Roberts sparred in opposing columns over the future of Quebec's English-speaking community. A new Leger poll puts the PQ in the lead at thirty percent, but half of voters say their choice could still change. Montreal Police Chief Fady Dagher will address the public tonight regarding serious misconduct and racism allegations at station thirty-nine. Liberal MP Shaun Chen resigned due to health issues from a car crash, becoming the eighth MP to step down since the election. McDonald's launched new Red Bull energy drinks across Canada but excluded Quebec due to the province's strict under-sixteen ban.

Trudie Mason is joined by Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist, and former special advisor to Valerie Plante, and Meeker Guerrier, commentator at Noovo and RDS. The CAQ launched economy-focused campaign ads while the PQ hit back with billboards targeting unfulfilled promises. Canada is considering alcohol, dairy, and auto concessions to avoid a fifty percent US tariff deadline on August 19. Hundreds gathered at Jarry Park to protest Tennis Canada's proposed four hundred million dollar stadium expansion. Équiterre urged Quebec to end its political honeymoon with Prime Minister Mark Carney over environmental policies. A rising trend of parents asking party guests to help pay for children's birthdays is sparking fierce debate.

Trudie Mason is joined by Lionel Perez, Former city councilor and former leader of the Official Opposition at Montreal City Hall, and Andrew Caddell, columnist for the Hill Times and President of the Task Force on Linguistic policy. Montreal's iconic rainbow-coloured balls will return to the Gay Village as part of a $200-million redevelopment of Sainte-Catherine Street East. The PLQ added two big names in former president of the Montreal Chamber of Commerce Michel Leblanc and President of the Old Brewery Mission James Hughes. Prime Minister Mark Carney is not being fazed by the comments of U.S President Donald Trump. New York City has revived its so-called "sticker of shame" campaign, placing large warning stickers on vehicles that commit traffic violations.

Trudie Mason is with Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer at Women in Governance, and Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, and columnist for the Montreal Gazette.  A new Pallas Data-Qc125 poll reveals the PQ leading with thirty-one percent as the CAQ slips among francophone voters. The Montreal Economic Institute reported that thirty-five percent of Quebec's one hundred and forty-five thousand business regulations are unnecessary red tape. Twenty-eight medical specialists have opted out of RAMQ this year to practice privately, sparking concerns over public healthcare access.

Trudie Mason is joined by political analyst Karim Boulos, and Akil Alleyne, reporter, commentator, and manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program. The Parliamentary Budget Officer will investigate potential cost overruns and revenue-sharing changes in the Gordie Howe Bridge agreement. Montreal unveiled a Chinatown revitalization strategy featuring dedicated cleaning brigades and infrastructure upgrades to boost local investment. Conservative MP Kyle Seeback defended opposition scrutiny, arguing that criticizing the Liberal government should not be labeled "Trumpian." A Canadian Taxpayers Federation report revealed Canadian provincial politicians earn significantly higher average salaries than US state legislators. Jetstar airline announced plans to charge fees for overhead cabin baggage space starting in February 2027.

Trudie Mason welcomes in Jonathan Kalles, Senior Vice President at Vantage and former advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist, and former special advisor to Valerie Plante. A new Nanos Research poll shows thirty-three percent of Canadians believe no current Conservative politician can defeat Mark Carney. The Department of National Defence removed French-language requirements from roughly one hundred and eighty bilingual military units. The Canadian Press revealed citizens are urging the federal government to mandate British spellings in official communications. A US crowdfunding campaign has reignited privacy debates surrounding automated police license plate recognition technology. A small piece of flood-prone land in Laval listed for fifty thousand dollars has gone viral online.

Trudie Mason is joined by Dan Delmar, Co-founder of the content marketing firm TNKR Media and co-host of the podcast Inspiring Entrepreneurs Canada, and Tasha Kheiriddin, a writer and commentator for the National Post, GZero Media, and Substack. WestJet and the union representing its 4,400 flight attendants have reached a tentative collective agreement, bringing an end to strike action and the operational disruptions that forced hundreds of flight cancellations over the long weekend. With four federal byelections coming up, NDP leader Avi Lewis is sticking to his guns and will not run in any of them until a full general election is called. There have been multiple antisemitic incidents that have occurred in the past seven days and officials are getting worried. Quebecor has installed heat and motion sensors beneath workstations at some of its offices to monitor how often desks are being used, a move the company says is intended to better manage office space.

Trudie Mason is joined by Daniel Tran, Director of Communication and Governmental Relations at Casacom, and Victor Henriquez, Public Affairs and Crisis Management specialist at Public Strategy and Conseil. A new Leger survey shows that despite a majority of Canadians believing the U.S tariffs are a threat, whether we should respond with tariffs of our own is splitting the population right down the middle. The amount of time waiting for a doctor on the info santé phone line 811 has increased to an average of 89 minutes this month. A new column in the Journal de Montreal by Josée Legault argues that asking society to simply "coexist" with homelessness risks normalizing a growing humanitarian crisis. How much would you spend on a piece of art? For the city of Saskatoon, the answer is $300 thousand. Despite meeting barely half of their performance targets, government executives received over $200 million in bonuses last year.

Trudie Mason is with Andrew Caddell, columnist for the Hill Times and President of the Task Force on Linguistic Policy, and Catherine Hogan, high school teacher at Westwood Senior High in Hudson. Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke sparked fierce debate by suggesting retirees and non-taxpayers should lose voting rights. Liberal leader Charles Milliard pledged stronger interprovincial alliances, drawing heavy criticism from Premier Christine Fréchette. Social Services Minister Lionel Carmant faced backlash for comparing unreported youth protection deaths to neonatal tragedies. Former NDP leader Jagmeet Singh is reportedly being appointed CEO of tourism marketing organization Destination Canada.

Trudie Mason welcomes in Lea Streliski, best-selling author, comedian, and columnist, and Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, and columnist for the Montreal Gazette. NDP Leader Avi Lewis is taking intensive French immersion courses to win back declining Quebec support. Chrystia Freeland published a New York Times piece slamming Donald Trump as the bully-in-chief over trade. Retailer Tanguay is challenging Quebec's upcoming legal warranty law for appliances in court over rising costs. A Canadian NATO intern was arrested on espionage charges despite previously passing an Ottawa background check. A national parenting dilemma sparked debate over whether to bring home a struggling, excluded camp counsellor. 

Trudie Mason is with Meeker Guerrier, commentator at Noovo and RDS, and Dan Delmar, co-founder of TNKR Media and co-host of the Inspiring Entrepreneurs Canada podcast. [1, 2] The Saint-Pierre Interchange will be completely rebuilt to include bus and bike lanes, though the final cost remains unknown. Aviation experts are criticizing a one hundred and forty-four day suspension for a helicopter pilot who disrupted a military drill. Former public health director Horacio Arruda defended his pandemic management as he assumed a new regional role. A new poll shows federal Liberals holding a nine-point lead ahead of three upcoming summer by-elections. A new column proposes that alcohol, gambling, and junk food should feature disturbing warning labels like cigarette packs.  

Trudie Mason is joined by Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist, and former special advisor to Valerie Plante, and Akil Alleyne, reporter, commentator, and manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program. Prime Minister Mark Carney set three summer by-elections, including a tight three-way race in Chicoutimi—Le Fjord. A bleak new study reveals ten percent of emergency doctors are leaving the field amid severe overcrowding. Quebec finally reached a contract agreement with paramedics after three years of stagnant negotiations. Montreal restaurant Garde Manger defied provincial limits by charging a fifty dollar fee for reservation no-shows. Columnist Richard Martineau sparked debate by listing everyday items he believes should be uninvented.

Joining Trudie Mason The Big Five this morning were Lionel Perez, former city councilor and former leader of the Official Opposition at Montreal City Hall and political analyst Karim Boulos. Among the topics discussed on The Big Five If you thought Prime Minister Mark Carney was going to immediately strike back at the U.S after President Donald Trump announced new 50 percent tariffs, then you are not going to be happy It has officially been 100 days since Christine Fréchette officially became the Premier of Quebec The City of Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville is offering residents a $100 rebate if they replace gas-powered lawn and garden equipment with electric alternatives

Trudie Mason welcomes in Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, and columnist for the Montreal Gazette, and Victor Henriquez, Public affairs and crisis management specialist at Public Strategy and Conseil. Ontario Premier Doug Ford wants Canada to leverage our most valuable resources to hit back at the U.S. after the White House announced plans for new tariffs this week.  The Globe and Mail is reporting this morning that Prime Minister Mark Carney made significant concessions to the United States to secure the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge.  It has been a busy 24 hours for the Quebec Liberal Party. They have dropped a candidate for the upcoming election and a former candidate and organizer for party leader Charles Milliard. The STM says it spent more than $100,000 cleaning thousands of union stickers that were plastered throughout Montreal's metro stations and buses during labour disputes last year. 

Trudie Mason is joined by Meeker Guerrier, Commentator at Noovo and RDS, and Andrew Caddell, columnist for the Hill Times and President of the Task Force on Linguistic policy. The premiers of nine provinces announced that they’re removing major barriers to interprovincial sales of alcohol. While Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette agreed with the deal, she was not one of the premiers who signed it.  A new Leger poll commissioned by the Canadian Taxpayers Association says that over 70 percent of Canadians want to end the expense accounts of former governors general.  After being pressured for the past few weeks, the federal government has released details of its revised agreement with the United States on the Gordie Howe International Bridge.  A new Leger report says 75 per cent of Canadians think AI use should be disclosed for schoolwork and 61 per cent for work.  Two columnists with La Presse last week wrote a dialogue piece exploring whether Montreal is becoming harder to love.

Trudie Mason is joined by Jonathan Kalles, Senior Vice President at Vantage, a Government Relations and Strategic Communications Firm and former advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Daniel Tran, Director of Communication and governmental relations at Casacom. U.S President Donald Trump has announced new 50% tariffs on most Canadian goods. Premier Christine Fréchette reacted on social media to the new tariffs, calling them unjustified. A 24-year-old Montreal man who appeared in viral videos verbally insulting and making misogynistic remarks toward a police officer has been charged with three counts of defamatory libel.  Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi has apologized after facing criticism for posing in a photo with Israel's ambassador to Canada at the Calgary Stampede.  E-scooters and their popularity has grown exponentially over the last few years. However, according to a new Globe and Mail piece by André Picard, riders need clearer and stricter rules in order to keep them safe.

Trudie Mason starts the week off with Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist and former special advisor to Valerie Plante, and Catherine Hogan, high school teacher at Westwood Senior High in Hudson. The Quebec government officially announced its plans for the interior renovation of Olympic stadium. It has been Christmas in July for many in Quebec for the past few weeks as Premier Christine Fréchette has been announcing multiple differents investments in the tune of millions of dollars. A new Journal de Montréal report says three major Quebec companies have recently appointed CEOs who do not speak French.  The REM suffered a major disruption once again on Friday. A power failure forced one train to stop between stations, prompting passengers to evacuate and walk along the tracks under the supervision of emergency crews. 

Trudie Mason is joined by Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, and columnist for the Montreal Gazette, and Akil Alleyne, Reporter and commentator with extensive experience analysing legal, political, and social issues and Manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program. The Quebec government has given the green light for the interior renovations of the  Olympic Stadium U.S President Donald Trump held a national address yesterday and immediately took aim at his loss in the 2020 presidential election The debate over the Gordie Howe International Bridge agreement is intensifying after Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called on Prime Minister Mark Carney to release the full details of the deal with the United States The city of Montreal is using its special provincial planning powers to fast-track approval of a 700-unit housing project, bypassing some of the city's usual approval process Four years after being forced to leave China, CBC/Radio-Canada has announced the return of journalists on a permanent basis to Beijing

Trudie Mason is joined by Lionel Perez, Former city councilor and former leader of the Official Opposition at Montreal City Hall, and Andrew Caddell, columnist for the Hill Times and President of the Task Force on Linguistic policy, A new report shows that Canadians trust China more than the U.S. The report from Pew Research says that 44 percent of Canadians have a favorable view of China.  All this week, the Journal de Montreal has been compiling testimonies from drivers about their experience regarding traffic in Montreal.  The federal government is making changes to reduce the amount of immigrants coming into Canada.  Montreal Public Health has issued an overdose alert after a sharp rise in suspected overdoses linked to a highly toxic drug supply.  Turns out even if a company is losing an extreme amount of money, there is still enough in the system to give high ranking executives performance pays.

Trudie Mason is joined by Sue Smith, a Montreal journalist and broadcaster, and Victor Henriquez, Public affairs and crisis management specialist at Public Strategy and Conseil. Premier Christine Fréchette has decided to join the other leaders and promise to hold a summit on homelessness in 2027 if she is re-elected. Speaking of Fréchette, it seems she and other candidates for the party have decided to leave François Legault’s name and history in the past.  Turns out Hydro-Quebec is selling electricity to the U.S at a cheaper price than what it sells here. The U.K government has announced that a nighttime curfew between midnight and 6 a.m. on social media for 16- and 17-year-olds will be enforced in order to help with its social media ban for kids under the age of 16.  The Société du parc Jean-Drapeau has decided that puzzle enthusiasts will not be able to excavate the treasure that may have been buried by American author Byron Preiss in Montreal in 1981. 

Trudie Mason is joined by Paul Gott, Lead singer and guitarist for Montreal Punk Rock band the Ripcordz and a journalism professor at Concordia, and Political analyst Karim Boulos. Notre-Dame Street East has been named the worst street in Montreal by CAA-Quebec. Montreal is giving automated pothole filling another try. The city has just launched a new call for tenders to replace its decommissioned machines.  For the second month in a row, Canadians have increased their travels to the U.S. Have you ever used Artificial Intelligence to self diagnose yourself when you felt like something was wrong?

Trudie Mason welcomes in Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist and former special advisor to Valerie Plante, and Meeker Guerrier, Commentator at Noovo and RDS. A new report by Ipsos in coordination with MNP reveals that over half of Quebecers have at least half of their income already committed to bills, debt payments and regular expenses before it arrives. The state of New York is proposing to give a 10 percent discount to shoppers who use the self-checkout at grocery stores. A new report shows that Montrealers spent 63 hours in traffic last year. The Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses is angry with the Quebec government because of the SAQ’s current business model. The Carolina Hurricanes have officially engraved their names onto the Stanley Cup and some names have caused a lot of reaction. 

Joining Elias on this morning's show were Neil Drabkin, is a lawyer who served as federal prosecutor and a political commentator who was a chief of staff in the Harper government, and Akil Alleyne, Reporter and commentator with extensive experience analysing legal, political, and social issues. Among the topics discussed were: Prime Minister Mark Carney is defending a major shift in Canada's foreign policy after becoming the first Canadian prime minister in 26 years to visit Saudi Arabia. Despite there being seven opportunities in the coming months to get a seat at the House of Commons, NDP Leader Avi Lewis says he will not be running in the byelections. The first Chinese EV from an actual Chinese company under the new Canada-China tariff deal has landed in the country. How much does it cost?

Joining Elias on this morning's show were Dan Delmar, political analyst and co-founder of TNKR Media, and Victor Henriquez, Public affairs and crisis management specialist at Public Strategy and Conseil. Among the topics discussed were: Air Canada has a new CEO; Anko Van der Werff. He can speak French. But he’s not Canadian. Is this an improvement? With signs that read “Not one more inch,” people living around Jarry Park are banding together to fight Tennis Canada’s proposal to build a new retractable roof stadium on the site. What if every young Canadian spent a year serving their country, not just in the military? Quebec will start testing certain truck drivers from Ontario that want to start driving commercial vehicles here.

Joining Elias on this morning's show were Karim Boulos, Political Analyst, and Jonathan Kalles, Senior Vice President at Vantage, a Government Relations and Strategic Communications Firm and former advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Among the topics discussed were: Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed four new people to the Senate yesterday, with two names getting special attention A new survey by KPMG shows that 42 percent of Canadian manufacturing companies are thinking of moving to the U.S because of the trade tensions between both countries The B.C. government is pursuing legal action against OpenAI over the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting tragedy Have you ever heard of Bryan Johnson? He's the tech entrepreneur who spends about $2 million a year trying to slow aging, measuring just about everything in his body in the hope of living much longer than the rest of us