Podcasts about elias makos

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Best podcasts about elias makos

Latest podcast episodes about elias makos

The Big Five Podcast
Christine Fréchette accused of going on a “witch hunt” in order to silence government sources

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2026 25:09


Trudie Mason ends the week with Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, and columnist for the Montreal Gazette, and Lionel Perez, Former city councilor and former leader of the Official Opposition at Montreal City Hall. Opposition at the National Assembly are accusing Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette of going on a “witch hunt” in order to silence government sources. Today is the final day of the parliamentary session at the National Assembly and the CAQ will be trying to pass as many bills as possible. Turns out it takes 1000 hours of training before someone should be allowed to use a chainsaw. That is according to new guidelines inside Bill 101 that were imposed this week. Canada’s former chief of defence staff is warning the population that booing the U.S national anthem during hockey games could burn bridges between the two countries. Today is the second edition of "I buy a Quebec product" day.

The Big Five Podcast
The OQLF is at it again, this time going after local businesses using the words "nosh" and "nacho".

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2026 23:39


Trudie Mason welcomes in Dan Delmar, Co-founder of the content marketing firm TNKR Media and co-host of the podcast Inspiring Entrepreneurs Canada, and Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance. U.S President Donald Trump says he does not want to renew the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement. The OQLF is asking a pair of restaurant owners to remove the words “nosh” and "nachos". The city of Montreal is replacing its general manager, but not without giving him a hefty amount of money on his way out. Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says that based on the data he’s seen to date, Canada’s economy is weak, but “it is not clearly in recession.”

The Big Five Podcast
New polling shows the Quebec Liberal Party falling while the CAQ makes a comeback. Plus: Justin Trudeau's controversial grope

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2026 23:01


Trudie Mason is joined by Jonathan Kalles, Senior Vice President at Vantage, a Government Relations and Strategic Communications Firm, and former advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Meeker Guerrier, Commentator at Noovo and RDS. New provincial polling this morning from Synopsis and Lapresse show the Quebec Liberal Party falling while the CAQ tries to make a comeback. The energy drinks ban saga continued yesterday at the National Assembly after two independent MNA’s have voiced their plan to block the fast tracking of the bill until certain criteria is met. Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is back in the news this morning and not for the reasons that you think. He is under fire for a photo he took with his current girlfriend, pop superstar Katy Perry. Ontario Premier Doug Ford finished his tour of Washington D.C yesterday.

The Big Five Podcast
Canada to table a bill banning social media for kids under 16. Plus: The PQ wants no part of high speed rail

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2026 25:31


Trudie Mason is joined by Akil Alleyne, Reporter and commentator with extensive experience analysing legal, political, and social issues and Manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program, and Political analyst Karim Boulos. The federal government is set to table a bill banning social media for those under the age of 16. A new survey commissioned by the Brotherhood of Montreal Police Officers shows 70 percent of respondents want a municipal bylaw against verbal insults against peace officers. The Parti Quebecois is promising to remove Quebec from the federal government's High Speed Rail project if elected.

The Big Five Podcast
Milliard gives his final remarks ahead of the fall provincial election. Plus: A new governor general gets sworn in today.

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2026 23:44


Trudie Mason starts the week off with Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist and former special advisor to Valerie Plante, and Andrew Caddell, columnist for the Hill Times and President of the Task Force on Linguistic policy. The Quebec Liberal Party held its final general council meeting this weekend before the fall elections. Hundreds of weapons have been seized by police in Quebec schools in recent years. Former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour is set to become Canada’s 31st governor general this morning.

The Big Five Podcast
Pick your politics – Heartless or brainless! Plus: The Big O, and ‘Beeshop' Street.

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2026 24:26


Elias Makos caps off the week with Neil Drabkin, is a lawyer who served as federal prosecutor and a political commentator who was a chief of staff in the Harper government, and Paul Gott, Lead singer and guitarist for Montreal Punk Rock band the Ripcordz and a journalism professor at Concordia. The government wants to fast-track a bill that would ban energy drinks for people under the age of 16. There is just one problem. The Quebec Conservative party is planning to block it. The commissioner of Major League Soccer was in town yesterday, making a push for the Quebec government to finish what they started and fully renovate the interior of Olympic Stadium. After a photo of an STM map on the 747 bus that spelled Bishop Street as “BEESHOP,” the chairman of the STM says the signs will soon be fixed. Is it the beginning of a violent summer in Montreal? Three men were killed in less than two days in Montreal and Laval.

The Big Five Podcast
Trouble brewing inside Mark Carney's government. Plus: Would you like a lotto with that self-checkout?

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2026 31:16


Elias Makos is joined by Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance, and Justine McIntyre, Co-Founder of Civica Strategies and former city councillor. Under the headline ‘‘He yells: Mark Carney’s focus has Liberal MPs bristling,” Althia Raj tells readers of the most Liberal-leaning paper in the nation that the Prime Minister is not a nice man. Quebec's proposed constitution is turning into a political food fight at the National Assembly. A Tunisian man has been given a conditional discharge and three years probation for violently assaulting a woman. Loto-Québec will soon allow customers to purchase lottery tickets directly through the interface of self-service checkouts.

The Big Five Podcast
The most popular Prime Minister ever. Plus: Should restaurant meals be tax-free?

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2026 24:52


Sue Smith is a Montreal journalist and broadcaster, and Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, and columnist for the Montreal Gazette. The Liberals under Prime Minister Mark Carney have hit a milestone not seen in more than 20 years. A new Postmedia-Leger poll puts Liberal support at 50 per cent among decided voters — a level of backing no governing federal party has reached in decades. Premier Christine Fréchette has a busy day in front of her today. This morning she is meeting with the U.S. ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra. In response to the provincial government's recent announcement to ditch the QST on certain grocery products, Restaurants Canada is offering a bold idea. The organization wants the government to remove taxes from the bill of customers who sit down in dining rooms or take out an order. For years, police departments in Montreal and across Canada worked to reassure immigrants that contact with police wouldn't automatically put their immigration status under scrutiny. But new data suggests that may be changing.

The Big Five Podcast
Premier Frechette promises a softer tone with Anglos. Plus: Would you buy a car that is banned from entering the U.S.?

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2026 23:38


Elias Makos is joined by Political analyst Karim Boulos, and Victor Henriquez, Public affairs and crisis management specialist at Public Strategy and Conseil. Premier Christine Fréchette is signalling a softer approach after years of tension between the CAQ government and English-speaking Quebecers. A directive from the French Language Ministry is raising eyebrows in the municipal world. Since Monday, municipal employees have to check that a company is complying with Bill 101 before any purchase. Prime Minister Mark Carney is condemning what he describes as a rise in antisemitism and hate in Canada. Nine out of ten Canadians say our health system needs to change.

The Big Five Podcast
20 years of no smoking in bars and restaurants. Plus: The city of Montreal can't spell.

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2026 24:19


Elias Makos kicks the week off with Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist and former special advisor to Valerie Plante, and Gabriel Retta, special advisor to the mayor. Religious event organizers say the city’s application of Quebec secularism law is confusing. A racist rally in Shawinigan over the weekend is drawing widespread condemnation across political class. Despite tougher rules, illegal Airbnb networks have taken over new housing towers in downtown Montreal. It’s been 20 years since smoking was banned from bars and restaurants. Seems like the city has forgotten how to spell its own proper street names. Riders on the STM’s 747 bus now have maps that indicate the Bishop street stop, but it’s spelled BEESHOP. And over in NDG, construction signs indicate the detour for Prince of Wales Avenue, but it’s spelled WHALES. What’s going on here?

The Big Five Podcast
Turns out Mark Carney's a MAGA guy. Plus: The CAQ's point man for Anglos tells Anglos to turn down the volume

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2026 24:22


Elias Makos is joined by Meeker Guerrier, Commentator at Noovo and RDS, and Dan Delmar, Co-founder of the content marketing firm TNKR Media and co-host of the podcast Inspiring Entrepreneurs Canada. The three discuss these topics: Tributes keep pouring in for Former Montreal Canadiens star and Stanley Cup Champion Claude Lemieux It's now or never tonight for the Montreal Canadiens in game five Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke to the Economic Club of New York yesterday and decided to draw inspiration from U.S President Donald Trump The CAQ says the rights of English speaking people will be respected even after the expansion of Bill 101 to adult education and vocational training

The Big Five Podcast
Why is Quebec still talking referendum? Plus: Too much English on Quebec websites?

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2026 24:47


Elias Makos is joined by Lea Streliski, Best-selling author, comedian and columnist, and Paul Gott, Lead singer and guitarist for Montreal Punk Rock band the Ripcordz and a journalism professor at Concordia. They dicussed the following: Habs lose 4-0. Are we toast? Talk of the looming Alberta referendum has everyone on a separatist or federalist hunt in Quebec City Prime Minister Mark Carney says a 50 percent plus one vote to separate would not be enough for Quebec to leave Canada The French language commissioner says the Quebec government’s websites have too much English

The Big Five Podcast
Steven Guilbeault set to resign. Carney talks Quebec separation. Plus: Hate speech or political statement?

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2026 23:59


Elias Makos is joined by Justine McIntyre, Co-Founder of Civica Strategies and former city councillor, and Trudie Mason, veteran newscaster at CJAD 800. The three discussed these topics: CTV News has learned that former environment and climate change minister Steven Guilbeault will resign as an MP today Prime Minister Mark Carney says a 50 percent plus one vote to separate would not be enough for Quebec to leave Canada Montreal police are investigating after pro-Palestinian protesters staged a controversial demonstration over the weekend

The Big Five Podcast
Premier Frechette's bold strategy? Vote buying! Plus: Mark Carney calls out Alberta's “bluff.”

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2026 32:52


Elias Makos is joined by Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, and columnist for the Montreal Gazette, and Sue Smith is a Montreal journalist and broadcaster. The Habs lost game three of their series against the Carolina Hurricanes last night, 3-2 in overtime. Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette announced new tax relief measures yesterday. Quebec Liberal Party leader Charles Milliard says the province needs to take some inspiration from Doug Ford. Shopkeepers are furious that St-Denis Street won’t be pedestrianized this summer. Prime Minister Mark Carney is calling Alberta’s separation push “a dangerous bluff.” A desperate Montrealer’s question on a popular web forum after waiting 16 hours in an ER with a blood clot: “What’s the longest people have waited in the emergency room in Montreal before seeing a doctor?”

The Big Five Podcast
Tim Hortons reverses course on temporary foreign workers. Plus: Is Premier Frechette spending like a drunken sailor?

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2026 32:18


Elias Makos kicks the week off with Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist and former special advisor to Valerie Plante, and Graham Singh, CEO of Releven. Tim Hortons says it will scale back its use of the Temporary Foreign Worker program and instead hire up to 10,000 local workers as it plans a major expansion of restaurants across Canada this year. Premier Christine Fréchette is expected to announce a tax cut on several grocery products today. Radio-Canada somehow obtained an email sent by Finance Minister Eric Girard to Christine Frechette on Saturday May 2nd. In it, Girard says he is concerned about the number of announcements made by the government since Frechette won the CAQ leadership race. U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra says Canada must accept that U.S. tariffs are part of the new reality. The NHL is facing backlash in Gatineau after shutting down plans for a massive Montreal Canadiens playoff watch party.

The Big Five Podcast
The OQLF's guide on how to cheer on the Montreal Canadiens. Plus: Loto-Québec's legal battle with a $3 million winner

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2026 31:08


Sue Smith is joined by Bonnie Feigenbaum, Conservative Party of Quebec candidate in last provincial election and a lecturer at Concordia & McGill University, media & government relations consultant, and Andrew Caddell, columnist for the Hill Times and President of the Task Force on Linguistic policy. After backing off on the Go Habs Go! message from the buses at the STM, the Office québécois de la langue française has decided to republish a short guide to encourage the Montreal Canadiens in the playoffs. Albertans will vote on whether the province should remain a part of Canada when they head to the polls this fall. A group of sex workers in Montreal are calling for a general strike during the Grand Prix weekend to demand better working conditions. Loto-Québec is in the middle of a legal battle over a scratch card worth $3 million between.

The Big Five Podcast
Who the heck is running Canada's airports? Plus: The cellphone ban is working, the airbnb ban is not.

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2026 24:22


Elias Makos is joined by Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance, and Political analyst Karim Boulos. A few days after Liberal leader Charles Milliard made a point of denouncing the homophobic comments he receives online, another gay party leader in the province is chiming in. Eric Duhaime, leader of the Conservatives, says highlighting that kind of content only feeds the online trolls. Despite a bylaw making short term Airbnb’s illegal before June 10th, many international tourists have been able to find them across the city for this weekend’s F1 Grand Prix. As the school year comes to an end, there are more and more indications that the ban on cell phones is having a major – and positive – effect on Quebec students. W5 reveals that airport employees with alleged links to organized crime, drug trafficking and violence received security clearance.

The Big Five Podcast
More Quebeckers are turning to cheap Chinese ecommerce platforms. Plus: Why is Canada such a hotbed for “crime tourism?”

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2026 24:04


Elias Makos is joined by Daniel Tran, Director of Communication and governmental relations at Casacom, and Victor Henriquez, Public affairs and crisis management specialist at Public Strategy and Conseil. The Fréchette effect is working for the CAQ. A new Léger poll for Journal de Montreal this morning reveals a 5-point jump for the CAQ since April 21st. More Quebeckers are turning to cheap Chinese ecommerce platforms. W5 has found at least 17 innocent passengers on flights originating in Canada were detained on drug smuggling allegations over the past year after their baggage tags were switched onto suitcases filled with drugs. The Quebec government is set to table new legislation to better protect consumers when purchasing tickets on resale sites.

The Big Five Podcast
Ça sent la coupe! Plus: How much do CEOs in Quebec make?

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2026 23:58


Elias Makos welcomes back Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist and former special advisor to Valerie Plante, and Justine McIntyre, Co-Founder of Civica Strategies and former city councillor. The Montreal Canadiens are off to the Eastern Conference Finals after winning game 7 in overtime last night against the Buffalo Sabres. Following the overtime stunner, we had some light, riot-adjacent, fan activity in downtown Montreal. A long form piece over the weekend in the Montreal Gazette gives us an updated picture of what is happening in the neighbourhood of Milton Park. A petition initiated by a Liberal MP is demanding for federally regulated employees to work remotely three days a week. La Presse has a three-part series on how much CEOs in Quebec make.

The Big Five Podcast
Is the Canadian government coming after your digital privacy? Plus: The backlash against AI arrives.

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2026 29:32


Elias Makos is joined by Dan Delmar, Co-founder of the content marketing firm TNKR Media and co-host of the podcast Inspiring Entrepreneurs Canada and Tasha Kheiriddin, a writer and commentator for the National Post, GZero Media, and Substack on The Big 5. More and more tech companies, business leaders and political commentators are ringing alarm bells over the Federal government’s Bill C-22. Prime Minister Mark Carney had a busy week on the energy front. The backlash against AI has arrived. From internet comments to graduation ceremonies, people are pushing back on Artificial Intelligence's seemingly overnight integration into every part of society.

The Big Five Podcast
A Quebec entrepreneur says he's getting death threats over wealth taxes. Plus: Is the federal government going to destroy online privacy?

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2026 25:12


Elias Makos caps the week off with Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, and columnist for the Montreal Gazette, and Lea Streliski, Best-selling author, comedian and columnist. Hey, what exactly do you guys call this long weekend and the holiday on Monday anyways? The Montreal Canadiens are one win away from making the Eastern Conference Finals. Do you believe this series is over or will we be talking about a crucial game 7 on Monday? According to Québec solidaire, over three-quarters of Quebecers support their proposal to tax the ultra-rich Police in Sherbrooke are asking residents to not give money to people begging for it on the side of the road. More and more tech companies, business leaders and political commentators are ringing alarm bells over the Federal government’s Bill C-22.

The Big Five Podcast
The ban on public prayer faces its first tests. Plus: Did a Quebec lotto winner make the right decision?

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2026 23:19


On this edition of the BIG 5, Elias is joined by Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer at Women in Governance and Paul Gott, Lead singer and guitarist for Montreal Punk Rock band the Ripcordz and a journalism professor at Concordia. TVA reports that the Portuguese community in Montreal was refused a permit from the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough to hold its traditional march in the streets this Sunday. The march coincides with the Santo Cristo religious festival. A new bill introduced in Quebec seeks to strengthen protections for women facing domestic violence by allowing access to a partner’s history of abuse. Moved by the death of Gabie Renaud, the proposed legislation comes as concerns over femicide and intimate partner violence continue to grow across the province. Thanks to his son, a man in his 60s from the Quebec City area won the ‘Winner for Life’ jackpot on the Loto-Quebec scratch ticket. Christian Hébert is set to receive $1,000 per week for life. The man asked his son to go to the convenience store to pick up a few things, including a lottery ticket.

The Big Five Podcast
Are the Feds spying on Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and the PQ? Plus: Dunkin' Donuts is coming back to Canada.

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2026 35:36


On this supersized edition of the BIG 5, Elias is joined by Justine McIntyre, Co-Founder of Civica Strategies and former city councillor and Meeker Guerrier, Commentator at Noovo and RDS, Two new polls are out this morning and they show a similar picture. They both have the PQ and Quebec Liberal Party virtually tied in first place but the CAQ is catching up. Ok this one is a curious one. The leader of the Parti Québécois says he has no hard proof, but plenty of historical reasons to believe Ottawa may still be spying on Quebec’s separatist movement. Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois’s white paper on education – and its particular focus on how boys are falling behind girls – is getting some renewed attention, this time on the national level. Dunkin' Donuts is coming back to Canada.

The Big Five Podcast
Turns out pothole city doesn't have any pothole-filling machines. Plus: Why are Quebecers the happiest people in Canada.

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2026 25:24


Elias Makos is joined by Akil Alleyne, Reporter and commentator with extensive experience analysing legal, political, and social issues and Manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program, and Jonathan Kalles, Vice President at McMillan Vantage, a national public affairs firm, and former advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The deadline for filling out the census is today. Have you completed your civic duty? The mayor of Montreal is giving herself one year to acquire new, reliable equipment that can carry out automated pothole filling. The city of Montreal has adopted its new protocol to manage homeless encampments. It appears the Quebec Liberals will have no problem attracting “star” candidates to their roster. According to Statistics Canada, 46 percent of Canadians say they are satisfied with their quality of life.

The Big Five Podcast
Québec Solidaire is coming after you. Plus: Everyone's jumping on board the Charles Milliard bandwagon.

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2026 25:49


Elias starts off the week with Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist and former special advisor to Valerie Plante and Montreal journalist and broadcaster Sue Smith. Ruba Ghazal says Québec solidaire's new platform is "ambitious and credible. First, they would create a Quebecois Costco, a food wholesaler focused on local products and aimed at competing with the large grocery chains. They also propose a tougher stance and stricter rules on “abusive landlords”, and property owners who break housing laws, including reno-victions and property flipping. A beloved Verdun café is closing after being slapped by what they say was a 60% rent hike. Station W has been a mainstay on Wellington Street for 13 years. In a statement to the Montreal Gazette, the building’s owners refute claims of a 60% increase, but news of the closure and any talk of massive rent hikes have led to renewed calls for regulations on commercial leases. It appears the Quebec Liberals will have no problem attracting “star” candidates to their roster. Multiple reports now say that Michel Leblanc, the former head of the Montreal Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, will make his return to the public spotlight under Charles Milliard’s banner. David Bowles, who headed Quebec's largest group of private schools for eight years is also on the list. So is Pierre Cossette, a professor and doctor and former rector of the Université de Sherbrooke.

The Big Five Podcast
The McGill College Park is put on hold Plus: It took but one MNA to block a plan to redraw Quebec's electoral map

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2026 25:52


Elias Makos caps the week off with Trudie Mason, veteran newscaster at CJAD 800, and Andrew Caddell, columnist for the Hill Times and President of the Task Force on Linguistic policy. Game two between the Montreal Canadiens and the Buffalo Sabres is tonight. Montreal lost game one of the best of seven series on Wednesday. Do you think the team will bounce back tonight? Ethics Commissioner Ariane Mignolet has found that former liberal MP Sona Lahkoyan Olivier violated two sections of the National Assembly's code of ethics. Independent MNA Youri Chassin blocked a fast-tracked plan to redraw Quebec’s electoral map. The proposal would have saved ridings in the Gaspé and Montreal’s east end from disappearing, while adding two new seats in faster-growing regions — increasing the number of MNAs from 125 to 127. Santé Quebec has sent a list of banned words and phrases that doctors cannot say to their patients about the digital health record project. Alberta separatists have submitted their referendum petition that would ask Albertans if the province should leave Canada. President Donald Trump says he works out ‘one minute a day.’

The Big Five Podcast
Toronto plays dirty, pulls the referendum card on Montreal. Plus: Should your child's school have a fight club?

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2026 24:17


Elias Makos welcomes back political analyst Karim Boulos, and Dan Delmar, Co-founder of the content marketing firm TNKR Media and co-host of the podcast Inspiring Entrepreneurs Canada. The CAQ government has tabled legislation to renew the notwithstanding clause protecting Bill 96 until 2031, and French Language Minister Jean‑François Roberge is using the moment to launch a full-scale attack on the Quebec Liberals. The battle to secure the headquarters of the future Defence, Security and Resilience Bank is already shaping up to be a tough one between Montreal and Toronto, two of the four Canadian cities vying for the prize. And Toronto is already playing the Referendum card. An elementary school in the Lanaudière region has decided to set up its own version of fight club. A Montreal Police officer who also moonlights as a real estate broker has received a 5-month suspension and a $30,000 fine.

The Big Five Podcast
More Quebecers are leaving ERs without seeing a doctor. Plus: Is it OK to use A.I. to change how customer service agents sound?

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2026 24:47


Elias Makos is joined by Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance, and Akil Alleyne, Reporter and commentator with extensive experience analysing legal, political, and social issues and Manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program. The Montreal Canadiens begin their second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs tonight against the Buffalo Sabres. Nearly 370 thousand people left the emergency room without seeing a doctor last year in the province. Telus is using artificial intelligence to disguise the voice of its customer service agents. The federal government says it is ready to draft legislation to pause the expansion of medical assistance in dying to people whose sole condition is mental illness.

The Big Five Podcast
Premier Frechette's first order of business? Making Charles Milliard look bad. Plus: Québec solidaire wants non-profit grocery stores.

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2026 31:39


Elias Makos is joined by Justine McIntyre, Co-Founder of Civica Strategies and former city councillor, and Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, and columnist for the Montreal Gazette. Reports indicate that Prime Minister Mark Carney will announce today who will be replacing Mary Simon as the new governor general.. Le Devoir is reporting that it will be former Supreme Court judge Louise Arbour. Premier Christine Fréchette is going big with her first bill that will be tabled at the National Assembly. We had Eric Duhaime on our show Friday, as he tried to explain why his Quebec Conservative Party has flip-flopped on the issue of Bill 96. Inspired by New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, Québec solidaire is floating a headline-grabbing idea: a network of non-profit grocery stores. Despite the highest level of recruiting in the last three decades, a higher number of military recruits are failing to pass the basic military training.

The Big Five Podcast
Activists rob Montreal grocery stores and bakeries once again. Plus: Outrage over a mock execution during a Workers' Day protest.

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2026 24:44


Elias Makos kicks the week off with Meeker Guerrier, Commentator at Noovo and RDS, and Paul Gott, Lead singer and guitarist for Montreal Punk Rock band the Ripcordz and a journalism professor at Concordia. The streets were filled with excitement and joy last night as the Montreal Canadiens beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in game 7 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Eric Duhaime has reversed course on Bill 96 as he tries to attract disaffected CAQ voters. In a nutshell - Duhaime pointed the finger at Anglos, saying that despite his previous position, it did not translate into support. During an International Workers' Day demonstration that drew thousands of people to Montreal on Saturday, activists staged a mock guillotine execution of Labour Minister Jean Boulet. The activist collective "Robins des ruelles" were back at it again this weekend as they stole from various stores in Montreal and Quebec City.

The Big Five Podcast
Should you clean up Montreal's sidewalks? Plus: Canada is making refugees pay for healthcare.

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2026 24:42


Elias Makos is joined by Neil Drabkin, is a lawyer who served as federal prosecutor and a political commentator who was a chief of staff in the Harper government, and Victor Henriquez, Public affairs and crisis management specialist at Public Strategy and Conseil. It will be absolute bedlam in Montreal tonight as the Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning play game six of their Stanley Cup Playoff series. The Mayor of Montreal, Sorraya Martinez Ferrada, urged residents and merchants to sweep litter in front of their homes and businesses to accelerate the city's lagging spring cleanup. Starting today, refugees entering Canada will have to pay $4 for every prescription and 30 per cent of the cost of supplemental health products and services. The debate over expanding assisted dying in Canada is heating up—and now it’s drawing in the country’s top Catholic leader. Toronto’s Archbishop is urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to “choose life, not death." Quebec’s minimum wage is now $16.60 an hour. Is that enough?

The Big Five Podcast
The price of dignity in Quebec hits $88K. Plus: Are Canada's airports going to be privatized?

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2026 23:23


Joining us on The Big Five: Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance, and Sue Smith is a Montreal journalist and broadcaster. The topics of the day include the "price of dignity" in Quebec and how much money families need to live comfortably, plus the federal government is opening the door to a major shakeup on how airports are run.

The Big Five Podcast
Vigilante pothole repairs. Plus: Canada's not-so-sovereign Sovereign Wealth Fund.

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2026 25:33


Elias Makos is once again joined by Justine McIntyre, Co-Founder of Civica Strategies and former city councillor, and Denis Coderre, former mayor of Montreal. A young Montreal entrepreneur has decided to take matters into his own hands to repair potholes across the city. Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled the Canada Strong fund yesterday, what he’s billing as the country’s first sovereign wealth fund. A man currently on parole for various frauds, theft and possession of forged documents, has been arrested for having defrauded 17 more victims while on parole.

The Big Five Podcast
Another attempt on President Donald Trump's life. Plus: One year after a new law, tipping in Quebec is still a mess.

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2026 24:55


Elias Makos kicks the week off with Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist and former special advisor to Valerie Plante, and Dan Delmar, Co-founder of the content marketing firm TNKR Media and co-host of the podcast Inspiring Entrepreneurs Canada. There was another assassination attempt on President Donald Trump’s life over the weekend. The attempt on the President’s life is not changing the plans of Quebec Premier Christine Frechette, who will be in Washington D.C., to start off the week. It’s been almost a year since Quebec implemented new rules about tipping in Quebec via Bill 72. A Federal Court justice has accepted at the 11th hour to push the deportation of the driver who was responsible for the fatal Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018.

The Big Five Podcast
Eric Duhaime's Bill 96 flip-flop. Plus: Things are getting really snippy between Canada and the U.S.

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2026 25:28


Elias Makos welcomes in Beryl Wajsman, president of the Institute for Public Affairs of Montreal, and Trudie Mason, veteran newscaster at CJAD 800. It was Eric Duhaime’s turn yesterday to reverse course on his stance on Bill 96. Duhaime told reporters yesterday that he would amend the Bill and continue to make use of the notwithstanding clause. The current state (or lack of state) of trade talks between Canada and the U.S. is becoming a bigger story every day as we approach key dates this summer. Prime Minister Mark Carney voiced his irritation to reporters on Thursday, pushing back on the nation that provincial booze bans were hurting negotiations.

The Big Five Podcast
PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon accused of spreading "conspiracy theories.” Plus: Banning cigarettes forever.

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2026 34:44


Elias Makos is joined by Justine McIntyre, Co-Founder of Civica Strategies and former city councillor, and Sue Smith is a Montreal journalist and broadcaster. Ottawa is accusing PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon of spreading "conspiracy theories.” This after clips of Plamondon speaking at a town hall organized by CIJA – The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs – are gaining traction online. Québec Solidaire parliamentary leader Ruba Ghazal is demanding the Fréchette government to adopt a law to help prevent femicides and to increase the budget of shelters for women victims of domestic violence. Economist Pierre-Carl Michaud is ruffling feathers with a piece in L'actualité on some of the most sacred savings vehicles in Canada: the RRSP and the TFSA. He argues there’s no proof that these vehicles actually increase savings. The U.K has passed a bill that would ban children born after January 1st 2009, from buying cigarettes during their lifetime.

The Big Five Podcast
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon sticks to his convictions. Plus: Is the solution to overloaded ERs more Habs playoff games?

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2026 22:08


Elias Makos is joined by Graham Singh, CEO of Releven, and Political analyst Karim Boulos. After being confronted by a poll that showed him winning a majority government – but only if he ditched his promise of a referendum – Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is sticking to his convictions. Premier Christine Fréchette unveiled her cabinet yesterday. The cabinet has 29 ministers in total, 12 women and 17 men. Many who were in the last cabinet shuffle have kept their roles including Justice Minister Simon Jolin Barrette and Finance Minister Eric Girard. Turns out all Quebec needs to lower the ER occupancy in the province is the Habs making the playoffs.

The Big Five Podcast
The PQ would steamroll its way to a majority, on one condition. Plus: Dog bites and community mailboxes, as Denis Coderre returns!

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2026 33:35


Elias Makos is joined by Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, columnist for the Montreal Gazette, and president and founder of Trafalgar Strategies, and Denis Coderre, former mayor of Montreal. The Parti Québécois would steamroll its way to a majority government – if they drop the pledge to hold a referendum. A new Leger poll for Journal de Montréal says the party would get 39% of the vote in that scenario. Christine Fréchette will reveal her cabinet today. On Tout le Monde en parle Sunday, the new premier said that her cabinet will be a mix of change and continuity. Canada Post posted a staggering $1.57 billion loss before tax in 2025 — its worst ever — with losses jumping nearly 87 per cent in just one year. The number of aggressive dogs has increased by 41 percent since 2021.

The Big Five Podcast
Charles Milliard's clarification of his clarification of his position on Bill 96. Plus: Mark Carney calls Canada's close ties to America a ‘weakness.'

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2026 24:01


Elias Makos welcomes in Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist and former special advisor to Valerie Plante, and Paul Gott, Lead singer and guitarist for Montreal Punk Rock band the Ripcordz and a journalism professor at Concordia. Quebec Liberal leader Charles Milliard has clarified his clarifications of his first clarification of his position on Bill 96. In a tweet this morning, Milliard says… a lot. He reaffirms his nationalist chops, says protecting French is at the heart of his political commitment, and calls French the social and cultural glue of Quebec. Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada’s ties with the United States has now become a weakness. Carney released a pre-recorded address to Canadians yesterday where he mentioned the world has become more “dangerous and divided.” Buyers of a residence in Hudson are claiming $475,000 from the former occupants after they learned after moving in that an intruder died in a break-in gone wrong.

The Big Five Podcast
Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Milliard joins The Big 5 to elaborate on his Bill 96 comments. Plus: Reaction from the panel

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2026 34:14


Elias Makos is joined by Quebec Liberal Party Leader Charles Milliard, Akil Alleyne, Reporter and commentator with extensive experience analysing legal, political, and social issues and Manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program, and Lea Streliski, Best-selling author, comedian and columnist. Reaction to our interview with Charles Milliard, and his stance on the use of the notwithstanding clause? His position on Bill 96 caused him a lot of grief yesterday, with the Gazette reporting that “Milliard was forced to call a special crisis meeting” to manage his MNAs surprised by the new position. A new poll by the Montreal Economic Institute shows that 56 percent of Canadians want greater access to private healthcare. In an open letter in Le Devoir, PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon invokes the words of former Quebec Premier Honoré Mercier and calls on nationalists in the province to stop tearing each other apart and come together. Before passing away in April of last year, actor Val Kilmer of Top Gun fame was supposed to take on a new role in the upcoming movie called “As Deep as the Grave”. After his death, the director of the movie did not want to change who played Kilmer’s role and has decided to rely on AI to keep him in the movie.

The Big Five Podcast
Is the PQ already toast? Plus: Courageous Old Port residents fight against housing.

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2026 32:58


Elias Makos is joined by Dan Delmar, Co-founder of the content marketing firm TNKR Media and co-host of the podcast Inspiring Entrepreneurs Canada, and Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance. According to the latest poll by Pallas Data, the Liberals have gained 5 percentage points and now lead with 32 percent. Montreal says it wants more housing — and fast. But in the Old Port, a major project is now back to square one after running straight into local opposition. Canada’s Culture Minister Marc Miller said Wednesday that he was "very seriously" considering a ban on young people from using social media. In response to Quebec's new policy forcing public servants back to the office 3 days a week, over 650 public servants have decided to work less hours.

The Big Five Podcast
Quebec politics is in a state of total flux. Plus: Canada's retirees are cutting back on their European vacations.

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2026 24:22


Elias Makos is joined by Andrew Caddell, columnist for the Hill Times and President of the Task Force on Linguistic policy, and Sue Smith is a Montreal journalist and broadcaster. Christine Frechette will be sworn in as Premier of Quebec today. Eric Duhaime has a message for Quebec’s new premier: Cut taxes. The Quebec Liberal Party has turned to a TikTok star in hopes of gaining a seat at the national assembly. There’s a piece in the Globe and Mail that is getting resoundingly mocked online. Titled “Reluctant to ‘rough it,’ retirees are trimming travel costs in other ways,” the article tells the story of retirees that are struggling with the higher costs of travel. The city of Montreal is about to host its largest sporting event since the 1976 Olympics when the road cycling championships come to town in September.

The Big Five Podcast
Mark Carney gets his majority. Plus: Is it time to bring back toll roads to Quebec?

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2026 32:56


Elias Makos is joined by Lionel Perez, Former city councilor and former leader of the Official Opposition at Montreal City Hall, and Justine McIntyre, Co-Founder of Civica Strategies and former city councillor. A Liberal majority was officially confirmed last night. The Carney government got a clean sweep in the three by-elections. Should young Canadians, thinking about heading south for better pay and bigger opportunities, write Ottawa a cheque for half a million dollars on their way out? Christine Frechette held her first press conference as Premier designate yesterday, looking for unity in a party that might be showing signs of cracking. The cumulative deficit for road maintenance now stands at $24.5 billion. So how can we fix it? Are you paying more than the person standing next to you… for the exact same product — and you don’t even know it? That’s the concern behind a new push from Avi Lewis and the NDP, who want Ottawa to crack down on what’s known as “surveillance pricing”.

The Big Five Podcast
Get ready for a six-month election campaign as Christine Fréchette wins the CAQ leadership. Plus: A Quebec judge warns of a “two-tier” justice system.

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2026 31:57


Elias Makos welcomes in Denis Coderre, former mayor of Montreal, and Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist and former special advisor to Valerie Plante. The results are in and the next premier of Quebec is… Christine Fréchette. Fréchette won the CAQ leadership race against Bernard Draiville yesterday with 57.9% percent of the vote. We have three federal byelections today, the most interesting one being the rematch in Terrebonne. The U.S military will set up a blockade this morning of all Iranian ports and coastal areas on the Arabian Gulf (Persian Gulf) and Gulf of Oman. A Quebec judge is warning of a “two-tier” justice system in Montreal, alleging prosecutors often seek lighter sentences for offenders at risk of deportation. The Montreal Canadiens won again last night and another milestone was achieved by one of their players.

The Big Five Podcast
Mark Carney and his Liberals celebrate, the CAQ deliberates, and the push for government-run grocery stores.

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2026 31:30


Elias Makos ends the week with Neil Drabkin, is a lawyer who served as federal prosecutor and a political commentator who was a chief of staff in the Harper government, and Anthony Koch, Former National Spokesperson for Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and current managing principal at AK Strategies. Big weekend for the Federal Liberals as they’ve assembled in Montreal. The party is in a celebratory mood, welcoming another floor crosser with rumours of more to come. Big weekend for the CAQ as they will select their new leader - but not before they play a 45-minute video montage honouring François Legault. Up for the top job, Bernard Drainville and Christine Frechette. Who should the party pick and why? The new leader of the NDP wants to cut grocery prices by anywhere between 30 and 40 percent at a cost to the federal government. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon gave an interview to Rebel News. The Quebec media class is not happy about it. A self-driving car in Austin, Texas has hit and killed a mother duck, sparking neighborhood outrage.

The Big Five Podcast
Another floor-crossing, but this one's different. Plus: Is it time to ban spanking in Canada?

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2026 34:13


Elias Makos is joined by Justine McIntyre, Co-Founder of Civica Strategies and former city councillor, and Paul Gott, Lead singer and guitarist for Montreal Punk Rock band the Ripcordz and a journalism professor at Concordia. Marilyn Gladu is the latest MP to jump to Mark Carney’s squad. MNAs won’t return to the National Assembly until May, giving the CAQ’s new leadership time to get organized. It is official, renters will not be able to lend their units on Airbnb in Montreal during the Formula 1 weekend, at the end of May. About 20 per cent of Gen Z and Millennial Canadians spank their kids. Canada’s Wonderland is tired of teenagers causing havoc inside their amusement park. With Quebec struggling to keep up with the maintenance of its road, one town in the Laurentians is arguing for a return of gravel roads instead of asphalt.

The Big Five Podcast
A ceasefire in the Middle East? Plus: Legault's goodbye tour, A.I. gets closer to its “Skynet” moment

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2026 32:10


Elias Makos welcomes in Kyle Matthews co-founder and Executive Director of the Montreal Institute for Global Security, Daniel Tran, Director of Communication and governmental relations at Casacom, and Akil Alleyne, Reporter and commentator with extensive experience analyzing legal, political, and social issues and Manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program. Iran, the United States and Israel agreed to a two-week ceasefire in an eleventh-hour deal that gave U.S. President Donald Trump room to step back from threats of a sweeping bombing campaign against Iran. Francois Legault says he was not lying when he said he wanted to try and run again before ultimately resigning as Premier of Quebec. Québec Solidaire MNA Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois says the province’s three-tier school system is partly responsible for the difficulties encountered by boys. One of the leading A.I. companies right now, Anthropic, says it has built a model so powerful it won’t release it to the public.

The Big Five Podcast
Mankind visits the moon and the CAQ heads to the polls. Plus: Montreal dodges the FIFA bullet.

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2026 33:55


Elias Makos is joined by Andrew Caddell, columnist for the Hill Times and President of the Task Force on Linguistic policy, and Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, columnist for the Montreal Gazette, and president and founder of Trafalgar Strategies. The Artemis II crew set records yesterday afternoon and evening. Does this mission have your interest? Are you in favour of space travel? Voting opens at 10 am this morning for members of the CAQ to elect their new leader and thus the new Premier of Quebec. But just a day before the opening of the vote, major news broke out of the Drainville camp. Drainville received support from Justice Minister Simon-Jolin Barrette, Health Minister Sonia Bélanger and Transport Minister Jonatan Julien. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is striking a softer tone as his party launches a new advertising campaign aimed at affordability and national sovereignty. More and more towns across Quebec are monitoring how residents live their lives, using water meters and incentive-based garbage programs to influence habits and make those who use the most pay more. We are just over two months away from the FIFA World Cup. Montreal will not host any matches but a new investigative report by Radio-Canada's investigative program Enquête reveals we may have dodged a bullet. The American middle class is shrinking. According to research from the American Enterprise Institute, more households are actually moving up. About 31% of U.S. households now qualify as upper middle class — roughly triple the share in 1979 — making it the largest economic group in the country.

The Big Five Podcast
Est-ce que ça sent la coupe? Plus: Sports gambling plunging more Quebecers into debt, the Liberals fight back against high-speed rail criticism

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2026 24:01


Elias Makos is joined by Meeker Guerrier, commentator at Noovo and RDS and Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist and former special advisor to Valerie Plante on The Big 5. Despite last night’s loss to the New Jersey Devils, it is a great time to be a Montreal Canadiens fan right now. Over the past five years, the number of people in Quebec who say that the main cause of their financial problems was gambling addiction has increased by 45%. The Liberal government is pushing back on criticism of its $90-billion ALTO high-speed rail projec

The Big Five Podcast
Mark Carney's China problem. Plus: Is Canada's High-Speed rail project a boondoggle in the making?

The Big Five Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2026 24:41


Elias Makos is joined by Jonathan Kalles, Vice President at McMillan Vantage, a national public affairs firm, and former advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, columnist for the Montreal Gazette, and president and founder of Trafalgar Strategies. Reporters used an unrelated announcement to press the Prime Minister on whether or not China’s treatment of the Uyghur Muslim minority amounted to genocide CAQ leadership candidate Christine Fréchette has sent a clear message to her opponent Bernard Draiville this morning through a Leger poll conducted on behalf of her team. We are heading to the moon today!