The Big Story

Plus: Quebec switches its paper ballots to French only for upcoming elections, a man is arrested on charges of causing around $100,000 in damage to Edmonton transit infrastructure, and a mysterious floating island reappears on a northern B.C. lake.

Things are not going well for the Conservative Party of British Columbia. Following Kerry-Lynne Findlay's win as leader earlier this summer after the ousting of John Rustad, there have been questions as to whether or not she's too far right for British Columbians. Since then, seven Conservative MLA's have decided their answer was yes, leaving the party to sit as independents, citing a lack of faith in Findlay's leadership. Host Caryn Ceolin is speaking with Mo Amir, host of This is VANCOLOUR, about what led up to these latest events, what the seven newly independent MLA's plan on doing now, and whether or not Findlay can survive the losses.

Plus: The CBC is barred from attending the Republican Party’s midterm convention, international school trips across Canada are cancelled or tweaked amid a changing landscape, prayer room restrictions go into effect in Quebec, and what information do politicians owe the public regarding their health and ability to work?

US Senator Mitch McConnell hasn't been seen by the public in some 12 weeks. His last in-person sighting was in Washington, D.C. on June 11, before posting a proof-of-life picture from a rehabilitation centre in mid-July. He's since been discharged, but the details surrounding his whereabouts or return to the Senate remain unclear. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to New York Times Chief Washington Correspondent, Carl Hulse, to discuss what the conversation surrounding the Kentucky politician's whereabouts has been stateside. Then, she's joined by Wendy Parmet, a professor of law at Northeastern University to discuss what exactly - if anything - the public is owed in terms of information on a public figure's health and personal condition.

Plus: Oil prices surge after the U.S. and Iran trade strikes, voters head to the polls in three federal by-elections, Nepalese cultural festivals are cancelled across Canada following recent floods in Nepal, and immigration experts say more tracking is needed to ensure people on expired work and study permits leave the country.

In US President Trump's latest attempt at dominating Canada, an executive order was signed last week renaming Lake Ontario to 'Lake America'. Whether the new title will actually stick is up for debate, but several Canadian leaders, high-profile celebrities, and US officials have come out against the move. Those include PM Carney, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and former US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Rosemary Thompson, Senior VP of the Royal Canadian Geological Society to discuss what right (if any) an outside leader has on Canadian land titles and names, and if the Canada-US relationship has any chance at a comeback.

Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show "In This Economy?!" Canadian small businesses are a big part of the economy. And like the rest of us, they're dealing with more tariffs as the trade war with the US heats up again, with Canadian counter tariffs set to take effect next month. It's the latest economic hit coming from south of the border, just as businesses were seeing a degree of recovery from the pandemic. Host Kris McCusker speaks to Brad Poulus, lecturer in the Entrepreneurship Department at The Ted Rogers School of Management at Toronto Metropolitan University. They discuss how these latest levies could hit small businesses, if the government is doing enough to help them, and if there are any potential new trade opportunities for them abroad.

Plus: B.C. lifts its province-wide state of emergency as local states of emergency remain, the first results are in for a program designed to bring professors from international universities to Canada, Alberta sees a budget surplus after months of spiking oil prices, Canadian actor Peter Cullen has died, and what will happen to a Russian cargo jet grounded in Toronto?

If you've driven by Toronto Pearson Airport at all in the past four years, you may have noticed the massive cargo jet with a big Russian flag on it just.... sitting there. It's been grounded ever since Canada closed its airspace to Russia following their invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russia has been trying to get the plane back from that moment-- but a judge recently ruled that it will stay right where it is. And besides, there are questions about whether or not the aircraft could still take to the skies. Host Caryn Ceolin is speaking with aviation expert John Gradek about what the government's plans for the plane are, and if holding it is worth doing at all.

Plus: The U.S. claims Canada was the one who introduced last-minute demands before trade talks fell apart, campaign season gets underway ahead of elections in Quebec, the B.C. Conservatives lose two more members, a study finds around half of Canadians didn’t receive respiratory vaccines last year, and why is gun ownership in Canada climbing?