The Big Story

Plus: A Nova Scotia cabinet minister resigns over decade-old rap lyrics, Quebec puts out nearly a million vaccine-laced raccoon baits to fight a rabies outbreak, Alberta expects record turnout for an upcoming referendum, and the fate of a Massachusetts women who claims postpartum psychosis led her to kill her children lies in the hands of a jury.

This episode contains discussion about suicide, death and the killing of children. Please take care. The fate of a 36 year-old, former nurse from Massachusetts is in the hands of a 9-women 3-men jury in a Plymouth courthouse who's been deliberating since last Friday. Lindsay Clancy admitted to killing her three children in January of 2023, but claims she was in a state of postpartum psychosis when she did it. Her defence argues she was misdiagnosed by the healthcare system and was not in her right mind, while the prosecution argues Clancy knew what she was doing. Host Maria Kestane is speaking to Michael Casey from the Associated Press, who's been covering the trial. They discuss the mood in and outside of the courthouse, the possibility for a mistrial, and how the case has expanded the conversation of maternal mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling, call 988 for Canada's suicide hotline, or visit Postpartum Support International to be connected to resources for mothers.

Plus: the Carney government is making a landmark investment in manufacturing today, the NBA hands down severe punishments to the Clippers in the Kawhi Leonard investigation, feminist Gloria Steinem dies at 92, and a sovereigntist party could soon take power in Quebec amid the trade war with the U.S.

While many of us have been turning our eyes to Canada's west, or south of the border, Quebec began a high stakes provincial election last week. At a time where Canadian unity has never been more important, the sovereigntist Parti Québécois has been leading in the polls since 2023. But it's no guarantee. With five parties vying for seats, three of which consistently poll above 20%, it's an election that could turn any which way. Host Caryn Ceolin is speaking with Éric Grenier, author of thewrit.ca and co-host The Numbers podcast, to take a look behind the numbers, what a sovereigntist government might mean for Canadian unity, and how much of a role U.S. President Trump might play in the campaign.

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.