The Big Story

This year, six of Canada's ten provinces and one of it's three territories have held or will be holding municipal elections. It's a level of governance that tends to get the least amount of engagement from Canadians, and yet it's also the one that can most directly affect our lives. So what do our city councils do for us? Why do we pay so little attention? Why is turnout so low? And what might be done to increase turnout in elections coming up this fall? Host Caryn Ceolin speaks with John Michael McGrath, a writer and host at TVO about the importance of municipalities, and why we seem to care so little about them. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show "In This Economy?!" Kevin Warsh will officially take over as the head of the US central bank on Wednesday – but it's not clear how his term will play out. The U-S President has been calling for interest rate cuts since he returned to office last year but several factors suggest that's not likely in the cards. But will Warsh feel the pressure from Donald Trump to cut anyway? And how might his decisions impact Canada? In today's episode of In This Economy?!, host Kris McCusker speaks to Scott Anderson, Chief US Economist for BMO Capital Markets - based in San Francisco, California about how the Fed might look different under Warsh and what could be coming during the early part of his term. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Trump is declaring the Iran war over despite a different narrative from Iran, Alberta is appealing a judge's decision to throw out a petition that's asking whether it should leave Canada, a Florida man sues several law enforcement agencies after an AI mistake, the White House-UFC event continues preparations for this weekend, and the World Cup is officially here. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

It's the most exciting time for soccer fans and sports lovers alike, as World Cup 2026 kicks off across North America. But in the shadows of fan fests and buzzing bars remains the very stark reality of strict US immigration policy that threatens the very nature of the tournament. Somali referee Omar Artan was sent back to Turkey upon his arrival in Miami earlier this month after White House officials claimed he'd been in contact with terrorists. Meanwhile, the Iranian team has been advised they can't stay in the US before or after a match, forcing their accommodations onto Mexican soil instead. Guest Host Devang Desai speaks to Founder and Host of Soccerwise, David Gass, to discuss the immigration fallout from the World Cup thus far and how geopolitical tensions may overshadow the game. You can find more of David's work, here: https://linktr.ee/firsttouchksm We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: the Gordie Howe bridge opening hits another speedbump, protests continue in Belfast, the World Cup kicks off today in Mexico, and how drones are playing a key role in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

On February 24th, 2022, Russian troops marched across the Ukrainian border-- the beginning of an invasion experts had been warning of for some time. It was believed the embattled nation would fall within months. But four years later, Ukrainians continue to defy the odds. One of their key weapons: drones, which they use as devastating weapons of modern warfare. And while a fifth of the nation remains under Russian occupation, the Russian army hasn't managed to advance any further. It's become a stalemate, a war attrition-- but that might be a good thing for Ukraine. Today on The Big Story podcast, host Caryn Ceolin is speaking with Dominique Arel, chair of Ukrainian studies at the University of Ottawa about Ukraine's attacks on Russian logistics, and whether or not the country might be able to force Putin into a peace deal. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: the Bank of Canada is keeping its key interest rate unchanged, the Carney government is set to introduce its Online Harms Act today that could include a social media ban for kids under 16, Trump is still reportedly clashing with Ontario's Premier, and chimpanzees are now engaging in deadly combat. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

It's something scientists have never observed before: chimpanzees, formerly with close family bonds, now engaging in deadly combat. A recent study looked at one of the largest groups of chimps in the world, which primatologists have been observing since 1995. For decades, the group thrived, but recently, factions have broken off, and fighting has turned deadly-- and scientists aren't sure why. Host Caryn Ceolin is speaking with Dr. John Mitani, one of the researchers who's been observing the chimps, and an author of the paper, about what's going on between the primates-- and what we might be able to learn from it. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Prime Minister Mark Carney wants public opinion on the Ontario government's expansion plan for Billy Bishop Toronto Island Airport, Trump took in Game 3 of the NBA Finals in-person, birth rates are dropping with a link to smartphones, and what's the state of the federal Conservatives right now? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

It's been an interesting past few months for the Federal Conservatives, from several MPs crossing the floor, to reports of inner-circle fighting, to Pierre Poilievre questioning PM Carney's education in economics. In more recent events, the Federal Opposition leader has since claimed that Canada is in a 'full-blown' recession, and has called for unity among Alberta separatists. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Glen McGregor, political correspondent for CityNews to discuss what challenges Poilievre's caucus may return to after the summer recess, and what issues are currently dividing the party. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Pierre Poilievre is expected to call for a shift in federal policies with rising separatist movements in Alberta, Iran's military says it's stopping offensive operations after exchanging fire with Israel, and looking ahead to the World Cup - security and the top-ranked stadiums. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Louise Arbour, a former lawyer, Supreme Court Justice, and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, is being sworn in as Canada's next Governor General. It comes at a nuanced time for Canada's global identity. Host Catherine Jette speaks to Nelson Wiseman, a political science professor at the University of Toronto about the Governor General's role in Canada, whether or not Canadians feel connected to the monarch, and how Arbour could use this precarious geopolitical moment to capture the country's appetite for unity and identity. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show "In This Economy?!" Following a negative performance for economic growth in the first quarter of 2026, the Canadian economy fell into what's been described as a "technical recession". While the headline was pounced on for political debate, with such a small decline (just a 0.1% contraction) and some parts of the economy still doing quite well, economists are downplaying the significance of all this recession talk. Nevertheless, under the weight of the trade war with the U.S., there are a lot of questions around the recent signals by the Bank of Canada even talking about hiking interest rates and whether the central bank will be changing its message to the markets next week with it's policy announcement on June 10th. Host Mike Eppel speaks with Royce Mendes, the managing director and head of macro strategy at Desjardins, about this so-called "recession", and what the consequences of reading too much into it might be. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: can Albertans actually be dual citizens if the province separates from Canada, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has requested a face-to-face with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, the Ontario government is going after illegal ticket resellers again, and could B.C. see its first Conservative premier in a century? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

The British Columbia Conservative Party hasn't won an election since, and hasn't won a seat in 50. As recently as the 2020 provincial election, the party earned just 36,000 votes. But in 2024, the party surged in popularity, nearly toppling the long-thought invincible BC NDP. Then came interparty turmoil, which led to the ousting of their leader, John Rustad, and a leadership election that went on for months. In the end, it was narrow, and the BC Conservatives elected Kerry-Lynne Findlay. Today on the Big Story, host Caryn Ceolin is speaking with Mo Amir, host of This is VANCOLOUR, a daily politics and news show, to find who she is and what she'll bring to the party. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Carney's responding to the latest tariff threats from the U.S., Toronto Police have arrested four more in connection with suspected hate-motivated assaults, a Vancouver ski resort could be setting a Guinness World Record, and what's killing the oysters in P.E.I.? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

A pair of parasitic diseases are wreaking havoc on Prince Edward Island's oyster industry, forcing farms across the province to throw out close to all of their supply. MSX and Dermo are to blame. They're fatal to the mollusk but not harmful to humans. Host Maria Kestane speaks to James Power, general manager of Raspberry Point Oysters in PEI to discuss what farmers are left to do with ambiguous government assistance programs, and what comes next for one of the province's most lucrative industries. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: a pill that could double survival time for patients with pancreatic cancer could soon be coming to Canada, Zellers is continuing to accelerate its comeback in Canada, the latest on CBS's firing of veteran news correspondent Scott Pelley, and how can provincial Liberals make a comeback? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

While the Federal Liberals remain historically popular under Prime Minister Mark Carney, that isn't the case for their provincial counterparts. By the end of 2016, more than half of Canada's provinces and territories had Liberal governments. Today, that's down to one, as Liberal premiers fell one by one to largely conservative-- but some NDP-- replacements. Liberal parties faced especially historic collapses in BC, Ontario, and Quebec. But despite that, recent polls have shown the provincial liberals gaining some ground in a couple of provinces. Host Caryn Ceolin is speaking with John Ibbitson, journalist and author, about what happened to provincial liberals, and if there is any hope for their future. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: the federal NDP want to do-away with floor crossings, police are warning of counterfeit merch ahead of the World Cup, Sabrina Carpenter has been granted a restraining order against an alleged stalker, and how data centres are having a moment in Canada right now. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

If you've noticed that data centres are having a moment in Canada right now, you wouldn't be the only one. As Ottawa looks to maintain a sovereign digital footprint amid the current AI rush, building its own data centres has the potential to do so. But the question is who actually funds these centres, and what are they doing to the environments around them? Host Maria Kestane speaks to Shion Guha, assistant professor at the Faculty of Information and Department of Computer Science to discuss why Canada is in a rush to build all these data centres and what Canadians need to know about them. Shion also writes The Public Interest Technologist newspaper, you can read it here: https://publictechnologist.substack.com We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Latest contract offer from Canada Post to postal workers, Canada's projected economic lift from FIFA World Cup 2026, health groups calling for Federal Government to cut nicotine use by 2045, and the results from The Canadian Screen Awards. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Amid a cost-of-living crisis, a war across the Middle East, job uncertainty thanks to AI - do you still have emotional bandwidth to worry about the environment? It seems like Ottawa doesn't. Since PM Carney took office, he's made strides towards strengthening our economy by bridging resource gaps with our very own products and assets, while simultaneously disregarding efforts made the previous Liberal Government to help meet our 2050 net zero emissions target. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Caroline Brouillette, Executive Director of Climate Action Network Canada to discuss how Canada has environmentally moved backwards in an effort to develop its own resources, and what Carney should focus on if he wants to make sure Canada hits its emission reduction targets. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show "In This Economy?!" A recent survey shows many Canadians are scaling back their spending on vacations this summer as life continues to get more expensive. And while it's not surprising, experts say it presents a really unique opportunity to re-examine your finances overall to prioritize things like trips. This week on "In This Economy?!" Co-Host Kris McCusker speaks to Sumaiya Bhula, Senior Manager, Saving, and Investing Journey at TD Bank for tips and tricks to make the most of your paycheque – and score yourself a getaway. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: The health minister defends Ebola travel restrictions, a man accused of selling deadly substances online to people at risk of self-harm pleads guilty, a rocket explosion, and Danielle Smith's referendum gamble. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

As separatist sentiment swirls across Alberta, the country has been holding it's breath and wondering: "will we face another separation referendum?" It seemed inevitable, as Premier Danielle Smith changed the rules to make putting a referendum forward easier. But a court decision rejected their petition on the grounds that Indigenous peoples who would be affected were not properly consulted. Smith has since announced a compromise, of sorts: a referendum on whether or not to have a separation referendum. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Ryan Jespersen, host of "Real Talk", an Alberta daily news and politics show, to get the perspective from the ground, and discuss how she has managed to anger both federalist and separatist Albertans.  You can listen to "Real Talk" with Ryan Jespersen wherever you get your podcast, or at https://www.ryanjespersen.com/ And you can follow the show on YouTube and all social media @RealTalkRJ We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: China's foreign minister arrives in Canada, a new report from the United Nations Weather Agency, Ebola latest, and the Pope calls for AI regulation. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

In his first ever Encyclical, titled "Magnifica Humanitas"-- or Magnificent Humanity-- Pope Leo XIV says AI needs to be "disarmed". It's a sweeping document, introduced to the world by Pope Leo himself, a first for a papal encyclical, calling for the leaders to make sure the new technology is developed for the common good. To ensure that, he explicitly calls for more government regulation in the industry. Host Maria Kestane speaks with Dr. Gerard Ryan from the Regis St. Michael Faculty of Theology at the University of Toronto to discuss the weight an encyclical has on public policy, what it means for Leo's pontificate, and whether or not PM Carney will take note. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: the federal government is entering contract talks with 'Saab' for Royal Air Force aircraft, the Western premiers have wrapped their meeting in Alberta, temperature records are being broken across Europe as a heat wave continues, and where does Canada's relationship with Israel lie? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Earlier this week, 12 Canadians returned home from Turkey after their Gaza-bound flotilla was intercepted by Israeli guards. Video posted by Israel's National Defence Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, showed hundreds of activists handcuffed, kneeled with their heads touching the ground, as he taunted them after being arrested. The footage sparked wide-spread backlash and condemnation, including from Israel's Prime Minister, as well as Prime Minister Mark Carney. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Jon Allen, the former Canadian ambassador to Israel and a senior fellow at the Bill Graham Centre for Contemporary International History at the University of Toronto. They discuss how Israel is interpreting Ben-Gvir's post, what more Canada should do to show support for the dozen flotilla activists, and where the Canadian-Israeli relationship goes from here. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Day two of the annual western premiers conference, efforts to combat Canadian wildfires, and a South Korean navy submarine is docked in B.C. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

We've heard about the attacks. We've felt the oil price increases. And every time a ceasefire gets mentioned, it makes headline news. Something less visible but just as dire are the lives of seafarers stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, who are not only facing supply shortages but also the reality that an end date is nowhere in sight. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks with Mohamed Arrachedi, Arab World & Iran Network Coordinator at the International Transport Workers' Federation, about the situation they're facing. Photo credit by Mohamed Arrachedi. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Western Canadian Premiers meet in Alberta, Ontario patient tests negative for Ebola, Gaza activists return to Canada, White House shooting. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

An Ebola outbreak spreading rapidly through the Democratic Republic of the Congo in central Africa poses a "very high" risk to the country, according to World Health Organization officials-- with both cases and deaths in the hundreds. As officials try to contain the disease, their job has been made harder by deep cuts to international aid across the globe-- and especially from the United States. Host Maria Kestane is speaking with Sana Bég, Executive Director of Doctor's Without Borders Canada, on the outbreak, what can be done to help, and how it could affect us here in Canada. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show "In This Economy?!" You've likely heard a lot about crypto currencies. Now, there's something called "stablecoin". Think of it as the next wave of digital payment systems. But, how does it work? Who controls it? And is it something that consumers need to pay attention to for everyday banking? In today's episode of "In This Economy?!", co-host Mike Eppel is joined by Laure Fouin, an Associate General Counsel at Coinbase Canada for a tutorial on the future of digital money and why Fouin believes it's something Canada needs to grow the economy. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: NATO ministers meet in Sweden, Ebola outbreak update, 12 Canadian activists have arrived in Turkey after being deported from Israel, Stephen Colbert's farewell, and is Eurovision a good fit for Canada. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Eurovision's director, Martin Green, has opened the doors for Canada to enter the Olympics of pop music. Historically, contestants of the music contest must be full members of the European Broadcast Union - Canada currently sits as an associate member. But so does Australia, yet they've been in on the action for more than 10 years. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Karen Fricker, professor of dramatic arts at Brock University to discuss the geopolitical implications of Canada joining, what Canadian artistic identity would look like on the global stage, and whether or not Canadians would embrace the contest. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Prime Minister Mark Carney condemns Israel's treatment of activists over an intercepted aid flotilla, generic versions of Ozempic are set to hit pharmacy shelves this week, Canada's first-ever PWHL championship goes to Montreal, and what's next for Tumbler Ridge? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

It's been a little over three months since the small eastern British Columbian town of Tumbler Ridge was rocked after a shooter opened fire at the local secondary school. Eight people were killed and dozens were injured. In the weeks that followed, a number of lawsuits and investigations have ensued, as well as plans to demolish and rebuild the school where the shooting took place. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Trent Ernst, a publisher at Tumbler RidgeLines Newspaper, to discuss how the community's been grappling with the aftermath and what its members expect from the government at this point. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

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. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

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. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

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? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky