The Big Story

More than 3.5 million pages of Epstein-related documents have been released under the Trump administration, fanning the flames of online conspiracy theorists who are determined to pinpoint a reality the rest of us 'can't see'. Including believers of Pizzagate or Qanon. Another reality - one that majority of us can see - is the one where online conspiracy subcultures have made their way into the mainstream political discourse, heavily shaping how we make sense of politics, governance and power. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Travis View, conspiracy theory researcher and host of the QAA podcast, to discuss how the release (and heavily redacted nature) of the Epstein files is giving new life to dangerous online social groups, and how Canadians can better make sense of what they're reading online.

Plus: The US sinks an Iranian warship as America says more military action is coming, Pierre Poilievre goes on his own foreign mission to Europe, a new call for an inquest into the Tumbler Ridge shooting, the man responsible for the Humboldt Broncos bus crash could be deported, and why is Alberta blaming its identity crisis on immigrants?

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith recently announced that come October, Albertans will vote on nine referendum questions. Most of them have to do with immigration - including making it more difficult for non-citizens to access healthcare, and giving provinces greater control over how many immigrants they let in. It comes as the province also deals with a separatist movement that would see Alberta leave Canada, another referendum question widely expected to be added later this year. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Stephen Carter, veteran campaign manager in Alberta, and President of Decide Campaigns. They discuss the political motivations behind the referendum, the implications of immigration on Alberta's economy, and the rising sentiment of separatism. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Stephen Carter, an Alberta political strategist and commentator, to figure out what Smith's goals are with these referendums, and how it could be related to the separatists movement.

Plus: Donald Trump faces pushback from US Congress over the strikes, how Iran could be impacted by the death of its leader, Mark Carney heads to Australia for trade talks, a bus carrying Canadians crashes in the Dominican Republic, and the late Catherine O’Hara wins at the Actor Awards.

As chaos ensues in the Middle East in the aftermath of US-Israel airstrikes on Iran - which killed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - talks of a post-Khamenei country are top of mind for millions. But the reality of a complete regime take-down seems father away than US President Trump made it out to be. Host Caryn Ceolin is joined by Thomas Juneau, professor from the University of Ottawa's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, and Nader Hashemi, an associate professor of Middle East and Islamic politics from Georgetown University. They discuss Canada's endorsement of Trump's military action, global response to the killing of Khamenei, and Iran's complex political future.

Plus: Iran retaliates with strikes across the Middle East, Donald Trump says the US military operation in Iran could last weeks, Mark Carney urges Canadians in the Middle East to stay safe, Iranian Canadians react to the conflict, gas prices in Canada could spike this week, and safeguards vs. innovation: Ottawa’s delicate dance with generative AI.

Sam Altman's OpenAI was reportedly aware of potential danger from the Tumbler Ridge mass shooter, yet the company's privacy thresholds prohibited employees from alerting law enforcement of the disturbing content. Instead, nine people were killed. In the aftermath of the update, federal AI and innovations minister, Evan Solomon called out the powerhouse behind ChatGPT, saying their failure to act was a failure in and of itself. Solomon is set to meet with Altman this week to discuss the incident further. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks with Ebrahim Bagheri, a professor at the University of Toronto who founded and directed the NSERC CREATE initiative on responsible AI. They discuss what AI companies do when they find troublesome behaviours, the need to respect privacy, and what the government might be able to do to make sure a tragedy like this never happens again.

Plus: New polling on independence movements in Alberta and Quebec, how the violence in Mexico is reshaping Canadian tourists' plans, a Canadian man faces harsh conditions in US immigration detention, and how former Prince Andrew's arrest could either make or break the monarchy.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor spent less than 12 hours in the Aylsham Police Station last week on his 66th birthday, and as the spectacle continues to sizzle, tensions surrounding the Royal Family have done anything but. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Jeffrey Dvorkin, journalist and professor, to discuss pathways the Monarch can take to not let the arrest forever stain its image, and the potential for this arrest to lead to more serious charges being brought forth on his alleged sexual misconduct.

Plus: Child poverty is on the rise in Canada, the Clintons testify in front of U.S. lawmakers, indirect negotiations between Iran and the U.S., and the deadly impacts of Canada's lack of race-based health data.