The Big Story

In less than a week, Albertans will head to the polls to vote on a series of ten referendum questions, one of which brings the province's sovereignty into focus. For the past several months, support for separation has dwindled, as both former and current politicians continue to plead with Albertans to reconsider thoughts of separation Among the current names that have stayed out of the spotlight for the most part, however, is Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Other than a handful of speaking events, he hasn't been as loud as other figures in making the case for federalism. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Duane Bratt, a political scientist with Mount Royal University to discuss how vital a Tory voice could be at this point, and whether or not decided-Albertans could be swayed either way.

Plus: A U.S. judge has ordered an American accused of helping plan the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. to remain in custody until trial, a Montreal man found guilty of drowning his young daughter in a creek in upstate New York in 2025 is set to be sentenced in Essex County court, the Pope is doing well following lung surgery, and the latest on the micromobility debate.

E-bikes and e-scooters are having their moment across North America. Along with the popularity comes the criticism against them, citing safety concerns, etiquette, lack of regulation and more. Host Maria Kestane is speaking with Ahmed El-Geneidy, a professor at McGill University’s School of Urban Planning about the explosion of micromobility, what infrastructure is needed across provinces to keep everyone safe, and who bears the responsibility for when things go south.

Plus: Canada has joined more than two dozen countries in denouncing Iran's apparent involvement in a planned attack on an airbase in England, dramatic moments on board a Delta flight from Los Angeles to New York, a rollercoaster catastrophe in the U.S., shocking stats on the future of dementia around the world, and Anthony Scaramucci, host of the Rest is Politics, talks Trump, Carney and the trade war.

It's hard to think of a time in the modern age when relations between the U.S. and Canada were at a lower point. Since U.S. President Donald Trump started the trade war, tensions have risen, while Canadian's opinion of our neighbour to the south have fallen. While some politicians and commentators south of the border have taken aim at Canada and Prime Minister Mark Carney's handling of the relationship, others are glad someone is finally standing up to Trump. Host Caryn Ceolin is speaking with Anthony Scaramucci, host of the Rest is Politics: US, former White House Communications Director, and Managing Partner at Skybridge Capital, about the relationship between Canada and the U.S., how American's view the trade war, and why he believes Carney now "leads the west."

Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show "In This Economy?!". With Thanksgiving days away-- it's time to start thinking about Christmas. At least that's the case for PricewaterhouseCoopers Canada, an accounting firm which has done their annual survey on where families and individuals are at in terms of budgets as they head into the holiday season, and what it could mean for retailers. Host Mike Eppel is speaking with Adam Boutros, National Consumer Markets Leader Partner at PwC, about consumer trends, what people are planning to spend, a generation divide, and how AI factors in to it all.

Plus: The chief executive of Stelco's U.S-based parent company says hundreds of Southern Ontario steelworkers facing temporary layoffs will be recalled if Canada and the U.S. reach a trade deal on steel. Former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says she saw parallels between herself and Christine Frechette as Quebec's election results came in. Canadian poet Anne Carson won the Nobel Prize in literature, but not much is known about her personal life. Also, what we know and don't know about the Russian lab tech that died, her work with the plague, and if we should be worried or not.

The death of a lab worker in Russia has raised fears of the plague. Authorities claim she died of pneumonia from an unknown origin, but have yet to release any other details surrounding if there's a connection to the lab she worked at. Host Maria Kestane is speaking with Angela Rasmussen, a virologist and the Science Chair for the Save America movement, then she's joined by Maria Popova, a political scientist from McGill University. They discuss what we know about the pneumonic plague, its chances of breaking out into another global pandemic, and about the challenges of dealing with an authoritarian country like Russia, when communication is so key in a potential crisis.

British Columbia NDP leader David Eby says Ottawa needs to impose minimum standards on all social media companies and AI companies requiring that threats of violence be reported to the police. Canada’s Defence Minister is in Alberta to highlight the billions of military dollars being spent there, with less than two weeks to go before Albertans vote on whether it’s time to quit confederation. The Parti Quebecois says it's asking for a recount in a Montreal-area riding that it lost to the Liberals by a narrow margin. Canadian poet Anne Carson wins the Nobel Prize in Literature.

When a person hacks a government website, it's illegal. But when a rogue AI agent does it, it's an incident that needs 'further investigation'. Canada has invested billions of dollars into AI infrastructure and education, and although safety is a top priority according to Ottawa, robust legislation and regulation to govern the software has not kept up with the momentum. Host Maria Kestane is speaking with Takara Small, a technology journalist, about who's held to account for AI's mass destruction, and why top-down legislation isn't the end-all be-all for a solution.