
The Big Story
An in-depth look at the issues, culture and personalities shaping Canada today
News
Episodes (1770)
Ep 1850 – Big Headlines: Canada to spend $1 billion to host the FIFA World Cup and more Ebola cases out of Central Africa
Plus: WHO officials speak on the Ebola outbreak, takeaways from U.S. primaries, Carney is in B.C., Quebec's Premier returns from France, and who controls your water? Ontario's privatization push.
1 days ago • 6m 17s
Ep 1849 – Who controls your water? Ontario's privatization push
The Ontario government is eyeing a shift in its water management operations. It's a move Premier Ford insists is nothing like what the Harris government did back in 2000, when seven people died and thousands fell ill after E. Coli was found in Walkerton's water drinking supply.
Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Meera Karunananthan, assistant professor at Carleton University to discuss Ontario's Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act, the implications of allowing water operations to be overseen by for-profit models, and how Ontarians can fight back against the potential new changes.
1 days ago • 25m 1s
Ep 1848 – Big Headlines: Gas prices triggering Canadian inflation and WHO warns of Ebola outbreak in Africa
Plus: The World Health Organization is warning about an Ebola outbreak in two African countries, the U.S. has called off military action against Iran, Three Canadian police officers have been arrested in Barcelona, allergy season in Canada is expected to be worse than previous years, and is Canada ready for another wildfire season?
2 days ago • 6m 27s
Ep 1844 – Is Canada ready for another wildfire season?
At least 100 people were forced from their homes last week due to an evacuation order in an area of Woodlands County, southeast of Whitecourt, Alberta, thanks to a fast moving wildfire.
It's becoming an increasingly common story in the province-- and across the country-- a decade after devastating fires wiped out Fort McMurray. And as Canada heads into this year's wildfire season, can we expect a repeat of the last three seasons, or something potentially worse?
Host Maria Kestane speaks to Mike Flannigan, a wildfire expert and professor at Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia on how ready Canada is heading into the season, and whether or not we should expect a pattern in the years to come.
2 days ago • 24m 40s
Ep 1847 – Canada's baby slump: why we aren't having kids
A recent report from Statistics Canada says our country hit a new fertility rating law in 2024, with over half of women aged 20 to 49 childless. Without immigration, the rate needed to maintain a steady population is 2.1 children per woman, but in Canada, it's now 1.25- below the 1.3 line that experts describe as "ultra-low".
Host Catherine Jette is speaking with journalist Cara Stern from the Missing Middle Initiative, an organization dedicated to reviving Canada's middle class, about the many factors contributing to young people's decision not to have as many kids.
3 days ago • 22m 36s
Ep 1845 – Weekend Listen: The K-shaped economy: what is it and how are you affected?
Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show "In This Economy?!"
"The K-shaped economy." From housing, to productivity, to wages, it's a phrase you hear more and more often these days. But what exactly does it mean? And how is it effecting your wallet?
In this episode of In This Economy?!, co-host Kris Kris McCusker is speaking to economist Jim Stanford, director of the Centre for Future Work, to find out.
5 days ago • 26m 9s
Ep 1846 – Big Headlines: Canada's top doctor says more than two dozen Canadians are being monitored for Hantavirus
Plus: The Prime Minister speaks alongside the Premier of Alberta, Donald Trump returns to the U.S., the price of gas is rising, Drake drops three new albums, and smart glasses: the good, the bad, and the unregulated.
6 days ago • 6m 57s
Ep 1843 – Smart glasses: the good, the bad, the unregulated
Have you ever came across a person wearing glasses in public and thought: "Are they filming me?"
With the rise of smart glasses - glasses with cameras and AI technology embedded within them - the concern of privacy has become more prominent. And not only whether or not you're being filmed, but what happens with the content once it's captured.
Host Caryn Ceolin speaks with technology lawyer Ritesh Kotak, about how concerned you should be about your privacy, what laws govern wearable technology, and what you could do to protect yourself.
6 days ago • 24m 52s
Ep 1842 – Big Headlines: Alberta judge throws out separatist referendum petition
Plus: Honda suspends plans for a new Canadian plant, Trump's Beijing visit, the country's springtime real estate market showed signs of slowing sales, and who will headline the first-ever World Cup Final halftime show.
7 days ago • 6m 31s
Ep 1841 – Why Canadians should pay attention to the US-China Summit
US President Trump is in China for the second half of this week, talking all things trade, alliance and geopolitics. It comes at a delicate time for the President, as approval rating continue to plummet following a rise in the cost of living as a result of the war in Iran.
In tow was a slew of some of the country's most powerful executives, including Elon Musk, Tim Cook, and Larry Fink to name a few.
Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Jia Wang, Senior Fellow at The Chinese Institute at the University of Alberta and Senior Fellow at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, to discuss potential Canadian implications of Trump's China visit, how the Iran war is affecting the US-China relationship, as well as the political importance of this trip ahead of the US midterms.
7 days ago • 24m 29s
About the show
An in-depth look at the issues, culture and personalities shaping Canada today.
Playlists