PODCAST

The Big Story

Frequency Podcast Network

An in-depth look at the issues, culture and personalities shaping Canada today.

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00:20:47

Are immigrants abandoning the Liberals?

The Big Story ·

2024/10/03

Liberals, whether that's the capital-L liberal party in Canada, or the Biden administration or the Labour party in the UK, are almost always the party of immigration. They celebrate it, they value it and — at least in Canada —they have recently raised targets to record levels.And with this comes an assumption. That because the Liberals are the party of immigration, most immigrants are voting for the Liberals. But, simply put, what if that's just not true in Canada today? Like, not at all?GUEST: Rhea

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00:26:30

"An inflection point": Escalation in the Middle East

The Big Story ·

2024/10/02

In the past 48 hours, Israel has invaded Lebanon and Iran has fired missiles directly at Israel. Nobody knows what comes next, but it will be difficult for anyone in the region to back down now. Has the larger conflict the world has feared for the past year finally begun? What happens if Israel retaliates? How did the past month lead to this? And what do you need to know to understand what comes next?GUEST: Dr. Randa Slim, Director of the Conflict Resolution and Track II Dialogues Program at the

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00:16:47

Is AI raising your rent?

The Big Story ·

2024/10/01

The US Department of Justice is investigating a piece of software that it alleges helps landlords share private information and suggests rent increases accordingly. The DoJ says this amounts to digital price fixing, with rents routinely rising by more than expected where the software is used.And it's happening in Canada, too. A recent affidavit revealed one corporate landlord admitting to the practice, and the app's use is likely far more widespread, leading to increases that blow away previous

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00:23:36

Has Canada's Truth and Reconciliation progress stalled?

The Big Story ·

2024/09/30

Today marks the fourth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which is a good chance to assess where we stand on the 94 Calls to Action. After significant early progress, the past two years have seen ... not much. So why has Canada fallen behind?Has the government changed its focus? Have we simply done all the "easy" work and not yet dug into the toughest, most systemic problems? Are we in danger of turning this national day of reflection into a symbol that sacrifices the urgency out of which it

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00:25:22

The strange origin story of psychedelics in Saskatchewan

The Big Story ·

2024/09/29

For this Sunday's look-back episode, we're revisiting an interview from January 2022 about a psychedelic renaissance taking place in an unlikely locale. Have a lovely long weekend!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In the 1950s, before they fuelled the acid-trips of the '60s, psychedelics were being passed around the Weyburn Mental Hospital in Saskatchewan. And not just among the patients—as well as being given to those struggling with mental

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00:14:46

What the new mortgage rules mean for new (and...

The Big Story ·

2024/09/28

This episode first aired on September 26, 2024 over at In This Economy?!, our sister show at the Frequency Podcast Network. The show helps Canadians understand the systems behind their money problems so they can make informed decisions about their personal finances. If you like what you hear, please consider giving us a follow! The federal government has announced changes to mortgage amortizations and insurance rules, calling them “the most significant mortgage reforms in decades.” But what do

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00:26:19

How The Roaring Lion was lost and found again...

The Big Story ·

2024/09/27

It's one of the most iconic photographic portraits in world history—and it hangs in one of the most famous buildings in the Canadian capital. At least it did, until it was stolen...The story of The Roaring Lion theft involves international intrigue, world history, careful detective work and one of this country's most renowned artists. But most of all, it's a riveting heist tale that spans from Canada to Europe, and who doesn't love one of those?GUEST: Brett Popplewell, author, reporter, associate

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00:18:24

A story of pipelines, consultants and conflicts of...

The Big Story ·

2024/09/26

The federal government—as well as the government-owned crown corporation Trans Mountain—has paid tens of millions of dollars in two separate contracts to McKinsey and Company, one of the world's premier consulting firms. One of the contracts was given to offer advice on clean technology, despite McKinsey also working with some of the world's largest fossil fuel companies.The other, worth far more, was to find efficiencies in the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project—a project already billions of

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00:23:11

Will the federal government fall today? What about...

The Big Story ·

2024/09/25

Today, the federal Conservatives will table a non-confidence motion, and if the Liberal government cannot defeat it, Canada will be headed to the polls. CPC leader Pierre Poilievre has vowed to take every opportunity he can to force an election, and this is his first chance to do that.The Bloc Quebecois and the NDP have said they will not bring down Trudeau's Liberals...this time. But without the promise of the NDP's support, this is likely to be the first of several such votes. Are we headed for a

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00:21:40

Is Quebec's new proposal a blow against 'tip creep'?

The Big Story ·

2024/09/24

It began during the pandemic with good intentions--give more to service workers, support local businesses and 'we're all in this together'. But somehow, four-plus years later we're seeing 25% suggested tips on services you would have never expected you'd be tipping on—at a gas station, for instance, or maybe a yarn store.A new proposal from Quebec's provincial government won't stop that, but it is the first sign that perhaps governments are recognizing what polling is telling them: That tips are

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00:21:36

What happens when 'The Big One' hits the west coast?

The Big Story ·

2024/09/23

For decades we've known that one day a masssive earthquake would hit the fault off of Canada's west coast—and after new research last year was published this summer, we now know so much more.What we can now determine is what that quake will look like. How much shaking, and for how long? How high will the tsunami be? How far inland will it go? Where will the quake strike first and how much force will it contain? All of this information will help us prepare both our infrastructure and our citizens for

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00:22:20

An unprecedented look inside the sex lives of Canadians

The Big Story ·

2024/09/22

This weekend, we're revisiting an episode from earlier in the year.We hope you enjoy!-------------------------------------------There's simply never been a Canadian sex survey that's comprehensive, scientific and intimate all at once. For decades we've relied on data from the United States, unscientific surveys thrown together by brands around Valentine's Day or specific looks at one narrow aspect of sexuality—such as contraception or monogamy.In her new book released today, Sex in Canada: The Who,

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00:11:23

Inflation is back to 2%. So the economy is fixed now,...

The Big Story ·

2024/09/21

This episode first aired on September 19, 2024 over at In This Economy?!, our sister show at the Frequency Podcast Network. The show helps Canadians understand the systems behind their money problems so they can make informed decisions about their personal finances. If you like what you hear, please consider giving us a follow! It's been quite a long (and expensive!) journey, but the latest numbers show that the inflation rate in Canada has finally fallen to the Bank of Canada's "target rate" for

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00:24:54

Ontario now sells beer in convenience stores. The...

The Big Story ·

2024/09/20

This is a province with a long and strange history of alcohol regulation. But when Ontario premier Doug Ford announced plans to allow convenience stores to sell beer, wine and coolers beginning in September, it seemed like a modest step—one in keeping with similar provinces and states which have long allowed this.However, this being Ontario and alcoholic beverages, it is not that simple. The move has cost the government hundreds of millions of dollars, sparked a discussion about the availability of

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00:18:22

Racism, lies and cat memes. American politics in 2024.

The Big Story ·

2024/09/19

An Ohio town is thrown into chaos from bomb threats that stem from racist lies. Immigrants across the United States are demonized for political gain. Women are dying from a lack of access to reproductive care. Donald Trump promises to jail his enemies. And on the internet, the cat memes proliferate...For some reason, in the current presidential campaign, cats have played an outsized role in the political conversation. From Trump's morals, to "childless cat ladies" to unfounded rumours of their

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00:17:52

Six unconnected stories. The same tragic ending.

The Big Story ·

2024/09/18

Over 11 days recently, six Indigenous people were killed in separate encounters with police departments across the country. The outcome of any one incident isn't surprising, but so many, so quickly, is shocking. And there are hopes amidst the loss that this might, perhaps, be the thing that shocks the country's leaders to action.On Monday, MPs in Ottawa held an emergency meeting. Indigenous leaders across the country are desperate to see some action. There are community groups on the ground ready

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00:14:24

What we know about a Canada to New York terror plot

The Big Story ·

2024/09/17

A few days before Sept. 11, police arrested a Pakistani man living in Canada with allegedly planning to travel to New York to commit a large-scale terror attack on the anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel. Since laying charges, police have been tight-lipped about the case, and haven't revealed how they found the suspect, or who he may have been talking to.But reporters have been digging and a picture is emerging—and it's one we're going to have to wrestle with further in the months to come

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00:17:02

The most interesting city council byelection in the...

The Big Story ·

2024/09/16

It's got a conservative pundit that wants a council seat and has his eyes on another shot at the mayor's chair. It has three liberal candidates lining up to stop him, which might be two candidates too many. It's got high stakes, citywide implications and an ex-premier and a former mayor politicking behind the scenes.Normally city council byelections are boring, low-turnout affairs. This one ... won't be.GUEST: Ben Spurr, City Hall Bureau Chief, Toronto Star We love feedback at The Big Story, as well

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00:28:20

The rapidly widening political gender gap

The Big Story ·

2024/09/15

With the American election fast approaching, we thought it would be an appropriate time to revisit this episode from February about how political beliefs seem to be increasingly divided along gender lines. Enjoy! ------------------------------------------------Men are this way, and women are that way. Entire careers in industries ranging from self-help to advertising to standup comedy have been based on this premise. Superficially, it can sometimes be sort of true. But generally, when it comes to

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00:13:36

Are car prices finally coming down?

The Big Story ·

2024/09/14

After years of shortages, dealership lots are finally full of new vehicles again. The question is if this will bring down prices that spiked during the pandemic? In this episode of Today, In This Economy, we chat with Driving.ca columnist Lorraine Sommerfeld about what to expect in the marketplace and everything you need to know about buying a new or used car this fall.(We're hard at work a new season of In This Economy?!—but this fall we're also introducing shorter episodes that let our experts

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