The Big Story

Plus: Alberta and Ontario plan a new oil pipeline, Jeremy Hansen leaves the Canadian Space Agency, Kyle Lowry retires as a Raptor, and what are the risks of bringing prediction markets to Canada? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

It seems like you can place a bet on anything these days-- and in some places, you pretty much. With sites like Polymarket and Kalshi, you can put money on whether or not a politician will utter a phrase, major geopolitical events, how many goals an athlete might score, and more. But in Canada, stricter regulations have prevented these sights from spreading north of the U.S. border. But that's about to change. Wealthsimple, a Canadian finance company, is bringing Kalshi to the great white north-- if in a limited capacity. Today on The Big Story podcast, host Caryn Ceolin is speaking with Elliot Goodell Ugalde, a Ph. D candidate at Queen's University, specializing in political economy and the governance of artificial intelligence about the risks are of bringing prediction markets into the country, what the government could do to mitigate them, and how they could affect society. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Rogers reaches a deal to fully own many of Toronto’s biggest sports teams, new funding for energy projects in Alberta and Saskatchewan, a CN Rail train derails near Montreal, and what does the future of North American free trade look like? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

On its July 1st deadline, U.S. President Trump declined to renew the current conditions of CUSMA. It doesn't mean Canada-US-Mexico trade as we know it dissolves, but it signals a need for trade diversification and an investment in Canada's sovereignty by the new 2036 deadline. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Julian Karaguesian, visiting professor at McGill University and former special advisor in the International Trade and Finance Branch of the Ministry of Finance Canada. They discuss the future of North American free trade - and what it means for your wallet. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Enjoy this special feed drop from our sister show 'In This Economy?!'. The economy started off 2026 in what economists called a 'technical recession', but a huge bounce-back at the start of the second quarter has raised some eyebrows about the validity of the Statistics Canada numbers in the first place. Host Mike Eppel speaks to LJ Valencia, an economist at Desjardins and co-author of a study called 'Diagnosing the Data Quality Crisis'. They discuss the cutbacks at the government data agency, the implications of questionable information for policy makers, and just how much we could trust the data. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Almost 14 years ago, Canada was reeling from the loss of its men's national team losing 8-1 to Honduras and crushing its dreams of qualifying from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Fast forward to the 2026 World Cup, and Canadian fans get to watch their team compete for a spot in the quarterfinals against Morocco. it's been a wild ride, to say the least! Guest host Devang Desai speaks with Footy Prime’s James Sharman about how we’ve reached the biggest game in the Canadian men’s national team history, the challenge presented by Morocco and overall feelings about the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Payments begin for the federal government’s boosted affordability credit, a man suspected of hitting a beachgoer in the head with a log is released on bail, two women found guilty of murdering a boy they were trying to adopt, and ticks. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Ticks! The word tends to give Canadians of all stripes a sense of the creepy-crawlies-- and perhaps a touch of anxiety too. The small parasites that burrow into our skin and pose significant risk of Lyme disease are a regular summer worry for parents and pet owners-- and doubly so this year. A wave of ticks coming from the United States is expected to hit the country this summer, dramatically increasing the threat they pose-- and this could be the new normal. Host Catherine Jette speaks with Justin Wood, founder of 'Geneticks', Canada’s first private tick testing lab, about why this is happening, how you can protect yourself, and what a tick-filled summer might look like going forward. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Alberta announces a new oil pipeline, a lawsuit is filed over an alleged leak of Alberta voters’ personal information, Canada Post pauses shipping parcels to some European countries, a B.C. journalist reacts after a businessman whose followers protested outside his house is sentenced to decades in jail, and heat wave season kicks into high gear. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

We're at a point where "record-breaking heat" has become a broken-record phrase. Year over year, we hear how many parts of the world have reached a new temperature high. And just days into summer 2026, things already ramped up, with intense and deadly heat waves gripping much of Europe, where temperatures pushed near 50 degrees. And North America hasn't been exempt, as July brings in a new wave of brutal heat. Today on The Big Story, host Caryn Ceolin speaks with City News' Chief Meteorologist Natasha Ramsahai about why the heat is ramping up, how it's going to affect you, and what we can do, if anything, to stop it. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Canada will play Morocco in the round of 16 at the World Cup, an America-themed beaver statue is destroyed in Toronto, B.C. nurses issue a strike notice, and Mark Carney’s plan to restore 24 Sussex. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Crumbling. Rat infested. Decrepit. Unsafe for human habitation. Perhaps not the words you would want to describe the official residence of Canada's leader-- but 24 Sussex Drive has been called it all. In fact, no Prime Minister has lived in the more than a century old mansion for a decade, after Justin Trudeau moved into Rideau Cottage on the grounds of Rideau Hall-- the home of the Governor General-- upon becoming Prime Minister in 2015. But now, Prime Minister Mark Carney wants to change that. He's started a fundraiser to pay for the renovations needed to make 24 Sussex habitable again-- though he insists no matter what, he'll never live in the more than 30-bedroom residence. Today on The Big Story, host Caryn Ceolin speaks with Paul Deegan, CEO of Deegan Public Strategies, about the plan, what he thinks it signifies for Canada, and whether or not Canadians can get behind the plan. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

The Concordia University shooter dies in prison, a former Air Canada pilot accused of flying for decades without a licence appears in court, Drake throws “apology parties” for women named Janice, and how are criminal networks recruiting teenagers online? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

A string of shootings across the Greater Toronto Area are being tied to gun-for-hire networks targeted by vulnerable youth through encrypted messaging apps. Toronto Police say they have no idea who's hiring teenagers to commit the crimes. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Dr. Adam Ellis, assistant professor at the University of Waterloo about how youth get involved in street gangs and organized crime, and what realistic steps Ottawa could take to tackle the crisis. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Enjoy this special feed drop from our sister show "In This Economy?!" It’s now the biggest IPO in history – when Space X hit the US market this month, it made CEO Elon Musk a trillionaire on day one. But there are still many questions about the company and its plans for the future without any current stream of revenue. The stock also hit a few bumps recently, with the company losing $600 billion dollars in market cap over a 3-day losing streak. Host Kris McCusker speaks to Alison Kemper, Associate Professor in the Entrepreneurship and Strategy Department at Toronto Metropolitan University, to discuss why this was such a big deal, what might happen next and why you may want to rethink investing in the company. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Search and rescue efforts continue in Venezuela as the death toll climbs following two large earthquakes Plus: The Prime Minister holds a phone call with the U.S. President, a design competition will be held as Ottawa looks to restore 24 Sussex, Calgary business leaders say they could leave Alberta if separation goes through, Michael J. Fox receives Canada’s highest civilian honour, and how can Canada improve its antifeminist violence legislation? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

A more than 100-page manifesto filled with misogynistic and anti-police rhetoric was found in the hours after an Alberta man opened fire in a Montreal neighbourhood. Three people were killed, including an officer, the shooter and a civilian caught in the cross-fire. This isn't the first Canadian shooting attack rooted in misogynistic ideology, it succeeds the 2020 Nova Scotia shooting rampage, the 1989 Polytechnique shooting in Montreal. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to journalist and author, Elizabeth Renzetti, to discuss how Canada is missing the mark on antifeminist violence legislation, and how we can prevent a tragedy like this from happening yet again. Elizabeth's book, What She Said: Conversations About Equality can be found here. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/authors/2290511/elizabeth-renzetti We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Canada finish second in their World Cup group to set up a round of 32 showdown with South Africa, details on the Montreal shooting suspect’s online activity, an Air Canada flight is forced to divert after the pilot suffers an apparent seizure, a major Calgary music festival is cancelled, and uncertainty around the U.S. and Iran’s negotiations. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

It was a deal Prime Minister Mark Carney touted as a 'game changer' that made the preceding war across Iran 'worth it'. But in the days that followed after the United States and Iran signed the memorandum of understanding, it's still unclear who holds the power and who should watch their back. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Aurel Braun, international relations professor at the University of Toronto to discuss where US-Iran negotiations stand, the implications of the new MOU, and the long-term risks for regional and global security. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Experts believe the string of recent on-duty police officer deaths could be an anomaly, Canadians’ confidence in America remains low, Mark Carney’s past work in the corporate world leaves him sidelined from key talks, and doctors deal with the consequences of patients using AI for medical advice. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Sure, you can ask it for a recipe or ideas for a themed birthday party. But in lieu of a healthcare provider, maybe that's when we should draw the line with turning to AI. A recent survey from the Canadian Medical Association found that 97% of doctors had to either step in or address consequences after patients followed healthcare advice from an online forum or AI. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Ma'n H. Zawati, an associate professor at McGill University and the Research Director of the Centre of Genomics and Policy to discuss just how far we should let artificial intelligence run through our healthcare system, and how Canadians can stay informed while searching for timely medical advice. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: A ransom note reportedly told Nancy Guthrie’s family she died shortly after she was kidnapped, residents in Lytton begin returning home after a wildfire forced them to evacuate, Ontario First Nations enter a deal to own a new nuclear reactor, Canada’s first high-speed rail line could get another stop, and Keir Starmer joins the long list of British Prime Ministers to resign in recent years. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Keir Starmer's resignation as Britian's Prime Minister marks the 6th in just a decade, as political turmoil and a post-Brexit reality disturb the country's stability. Poised to be the country's next leader is Greater-Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Mel Cappe, distinguished fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy to discuss what lead to Starmer's step-down, what challenges lies ahead for the country's new leader, and the legacy that Starmer leaves behind. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Celebrations on Sunday mark National Indigenous Peoples Day, contract talks start for thousands of Canadian auto workers, Ottawa reaches a deal to build a new radar defence system, and what do teenagers think of a possible social media ban? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Canada has taken inspiration from its fellow commonwealth cousin, Australia, and has moved to ban social media for anyone under 16. A part of Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act requires social media platforms to ensure kids are staying safe online, or else they get banned. But what 'safe' looks like exactly hasn't been clearly outlined by Ottawa yet. The act also aims at protecting children from AI chatbots. Academics and experts in the safe have spoken both for and against the act, but how do the actual stakeholders feel about it? Host Maria Kestane speaks to Jenny Perez, founder of Unplugged, as well as Mya Callaghan, a 13 year old from Alberta to get a pulse check on how parents and teenagers are feeling about the legislation, and how the next few months could unfold. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show 'In This Economy?!' Big players in the artificial intelligence space like OpenAI or Anthropic continue to take up tons of conversational space, whether it's about how much they're worth, how much they spend, and how much it takes to maintain their systems. Often left out of the conversations, though, are whether or not their investments could be a net benefit to the economy. Host Mike Eppel speaks to Raj Juneja, President of Cisco Systems Canada, about the company's leadership role in AI infrastructure, what he’s hearing from CEOs about the growth payback from investing in AI, and how building trust and data security is key to Canadian user adoption. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Talks between the U.S. and Iran are delayed, Frank Stronach is found guilty on two counts in his sex assault trial, the mine where three workers were trapped for days in a collapse last year gets a key approval for underground mining, a groundbreaking procedure for cancer patients has been performed in Canada for the first time, and why are so many Canadians turning away from legacy media? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Have you stopped checking the headlines in the morning? Are you changing the channel once the news comes on? Do you find yourself feeling anxious when hearing about current events? If so, you're in packed company. This year's Digital News Report found that engagement and trust in legacy media continues to fall, as online content creators and AI dominate digital platforms. Not only has the medium changed, but also interest. This year's report found that 45% of Canadian respondents actively avoid the news. Host Catherine Jette speaks to Craig Robertson, a co-author of the Digital News Report to discuss why Canadians are turning away from the headlines, and how media companies can keep up as interest peaks elsewhere. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: It’s match day for Canada at the World Cup, another suspected is arrested in the shooting at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto, Alberta’s premier reacts to a call for her and her party to be investigated for treason, a Vancouver-based mining company hires a former Trump cabinet member, and Ontario’s premier sends legislators on a five-month summer vacation. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

A five-month summer vacation doesn't sound too shabby, especially following a winter vacation that lasted more than three months. That's the case for the members of the Ontario provincial government, as Premier Doug Ford sent the MPPs on an extended break before rejoining for the fall session. He says he'd rather have his members out in the community, engaging with residents, rather than spend their time 'arguing with each other' during question period. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Richard Southern, 680 NewsRadio Queen's Park reporter, to discuss other possible reasons for Ford's extended break, including a potential cabinet shake-up, as well as hopes for a reset in public opinion. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Mark Carney addresses his hot mic conversation with Donald Trump about the Canada-China EV deal, a new study analyzes homeownership rates among recent immigrants compared with Canadian-born individuals, Jacob Hoggard’s bid for full parole is denied, evacuation orders are lifted in B.C. as a wildfire continues to burn, and will Ottawa’s food strategy actually lower your grocery bill? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Ottawa is investing more than $3 billion as part of a national food security strategy. It aims to combat anticompetitive industry practices, boost agricultural infrastructure to improve access to fresh produce year-round, and address online surveillance pricing. But it isn't the first time a Liberal government pulled out the stops to make groceries cheaper or address grocery store monopolies.  Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Pascal Thériault, Director of McGill University's Farm Management and Technology Program and an agricultural economist, to discuss what it means for Canadians to have a national food strategy, and whether or not it will actually lower grocery bills. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: the latest on the U.S. and Iran's agreement on the Strait of Hormuz, a dozen children are injured at a B.C. waterpark, the NHL begins investigating former head coach Mike Babcock ahead of his possible return the the league, a new commercial airport opens in Montreal, and protesters take to the streets in Albania over a planned resort funded by Donald Trump's son-in-law. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Massive protests have swept the streets of Albania. Dubbed "The Flamingo Revolution", the anti-government protests have kicked off after Prime Minister Edi Rama announced plans for a luxury resort to be built, in part, on environmentally-protected land. The resort's primary investor would be Jared Kushner, son-in-law to U.S. President Donald Trump. Rama, however, has downplayed the size of the protests, and claimed that much of the outrage online has been fueled by Iranian agents. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Vladimir Karaj, a journalist with the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, on why the Albanian government is defending the Kushner's development plans, what protesters are calling for, and whether or not either side will back down. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: this year’s G7 summit gets underway in France, Mark Carney meets with French and Irish leaders, Parliament is set to introduce two major bills, a slain Ontario police officer’s funeral will be held this week, Canada takes a step toward advancing from its group with a draw at the World Cup, and why do many Canadians seem to care so little about their local government? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

This year, six of Canada's ten provinces and one of its three territories have held or will be holding municipal elections. It's a level of governance that tends to get the least amount of engagement from Canadians, and yet it's also the one that can most directly affect our lives. So what do our city councils do for us? Why do we pay so little attention? Why is turnout so low? And what might be done to increase turnout in elections coming up this fall? Host Caryn Ceolin speaks with John Michael McGrath, a writer and host at TVO about the importance of municipalities, and why we seem to care so little about them. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show "In This Economy?!" Kevin Warsh will officially take over as the head of the US central bank on Wednesday – but it’s not clear how his term will play out. The U-S President has been calling for interest rate cuts since he returned to office last year but several factors suggest that’s not likely in the cards. But will Warsh feel the pressure from Donald Trump to cut anyway? And how might his decisions impact Canada? In today's episode of In This Economy?!, host Kris McCusker speaks to Scott Anderson, Chief US Economist for BMO Capital Markets - based in San Francisco, California about how the Fed might look different under Warsh and what could be coming during the early part of his term. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Trump is declaring the Iran war over despite a different narrative from Iran, Alberta is appealing a judge's decision to throw out a petition that's asking whether it should leave Canada, a Florida man sues several law enforcement agencies after an AI mistake, the White House-UFC event continues preparations for this weekend, and the World Cup is officially here. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

It's the most exciting time for soccer fans and sports lovers alike, as World Cup 2026 kicks off across North America. But in the shadows of fan fests and buzzing bars remains the very stark reality of strict US immigration policy that threatens the very nature of the tournament. Somali referee Omar Artan was sent back to Turkey upon his arrival in Miami earlier this month after White House officials claimed he'd been in contact with terrorists. Meanwhile, the Iranian team has been advised they can't stay in the US before or after a match, forcing their accommodations onto Mexican soil instead. Guest Host Devang Desai speaks to Founder and Host of Soccerwise, David Gass, to discuss the immigration fallout from the World Cup thus far and how geopolitical tensions may overshadow the game. You can find more of David's work, here: https://linktr.ee/firsttouchksm We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: the Gordie Howe bridge opening hits another speedbump, protests continue in Belfast, the World Cup kicks off today in Mexico, and how drones are playing a key role in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

On February 24th, 2022, Russian troops marched across the Ukrainian border-- the beginning of an invasion experts had been warning of for some time. It was believed the embattled nation would fall within months. But four years later, Ukrainians continue to defy the odds. One of their key weapons: drones, which they use as devastating weapons of modern warfare. And while a fifth of the nation remains under Russian occupation, the Russian army hasn't managed to advance any further. It's become a stalemate, a war attrition-- but that might be a good thing for Ukraine. Today on The Big Story podcast, host Caryn Ceolin is speaking with Dominique Arel, chair of Ukrainian studies at the University of Ottawa about Ukraine's attacks on Russian logistics, and whether or not the country might be able to force Putin into a peace deal. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: the Bank of Canada is keeping its key interest rate unchanged, the Carney government is set to introduce its Online Harms Act today that could include a social media ban for kids under 16, Trump is still reportedly clashing with Ontario's Premier, and chimpanzees are now engaging in deadly combat. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

It's something scientists have never observed before: chimpanzees, formerly with close family bonds, now engaging in deadly combat. A recent study looked at one of the largest groups of chimps in the world, which primatologists have been observing since 1995. For decades, the group thrived, but recently, factions have broken off, and fighting has turned deadly-- and scientists aren't sure why. Host Caryn Ceolin is speaking with Dr. John Mitani, one of the researchers who's been observing the chimps, and an author of the paper, about what's going on between the primates-- and what we might be able to learn from it. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Prime Minister Mark Carney wants public opinion on the Ontario government's expansion plan for Billy Bishop Toronto Island Airport, Trump took in Game 3 of the NBA Finals in-person, birth rates are dropping with a link to smartphones, and what's the state of the federal Conservatives right now? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

It's been an interesting past few months for the Federal Conservatives, from several MPs crossing the floor, to reports of inner-circle fighting, to Pierre Poilievre questioning PM Carney's education in economics. In more recent events, the Federal Opposition leader has since claimed that Canada is in a 'full-blown' recession, and has called for unity among Alberta separatists. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Glen McGregor, political correspondent for CityNews to discuss what challenges Poilievre's caucus may return to after the summer recess, and what issues are currently dividing the party. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Pierre Poilievre is expected to call for a shift in federal policies with rising separatist movements in Alberta, Iran's military says it's stopping offensive operations after exchanging fire with Israel, and looking ahead to the World Cup - security and the top-ranked stadiums. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Louise Arbour, a former lawyer, Supreme Court Justice, and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, is being sworn in as Canada's next Governor General. It comes at a nuanced time for Canada's global identity. Host Catherine Jette speaks to Nelson Wiseman, a political science professor at the University of Toronto about the Governor General's role in Canada, whether or not Canadians feel connected to the monarch, and how Arbour could use this precarious geopolitical moment to capture the country's appetite for unity and identity. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show "In This Economy?!" Following a negative performance for economic growth in the first quarter of 2026, the Canadian economy fell into what's been described as a "technical recession". While the headline was pounced on for political debate, with such a small decline (just a 0.1% contraction) and some parts of the economy still doing quite well, economists are downplaying the significance of all this recession talk. Nevertheless, under the weight of the trade war with the U.S., there are a lot of questions around the recent signals by the Bank of Canada even talking about hiking interest rates and whether the central bank will be changing its message to the markets next week with it's policy announcement on June 10th. Host Mike Eppel speaks with Royce Mendes, the managing director and head of macro strategy at Desjardins, about this so-called "recession", and what the consequences of reading too much into it might be. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: can Albertans actually be dual citizens if the province separates from Canada, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has requested a face-to-face with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, the Ontario government is going after illegal ticket resellers again, and could B.C. see its first Conservative premier in a century? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

The British Columbia Conservative Party hasn't won an election since, and hasn't won a seat in 50. As recently as the 2020 provincial election, the party earned just 36,000 votes. But in 2024, the party surged in popularity, nearly toppling the long-thought invincible BC NDP. Then came interparty turmoil, which led to the ousting of their leader, John Rustad, and a leadership election that went on for months. In the end, it was narrow, and the BC Conservatives elected Kerry-Lynne Findlay. Today on the Big Story, host Caryn Ceolin is speaking with Mo Amir, host of This is VANCOLOUR, a daily politics and news show, to find who she is and what she'll bring to the party. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky