Advertise on podcast: The Big Five Podcast

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos, and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. Host Akil Alleyne, is in for Elias Makos. On today's Big 5: Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist and former special advisor to Valerie Plante, and Daniel Tran, political analyst and former political advisor in economic development at Montreal City Hall. The Parti Quebecois is set to be sworn into the National Assembly on Thursday and PSPP will be naming his ministers on October 21st. Out of the 59 MNA elected, there is currently no representation in the Quebec City region. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre will be in Michigan tomorrow to advocate for "tariff-free" free trade with business leaders and in the media. We are officially one week away from the referendum vote in Alberta. According to Abacus Data, 46 percent of rural areas of the province would vote to separate. If you are a criminal in Canada and are trying to find a way out of the country…turns out it's pretty easy.

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. On today's Big 5: Akil Alleyne, reporter, commentator, and manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program, and Paul Gott, lead singer of the Ripcordz and journalism professor at Concordia. The Coalition Avenir Québec announced it will appoint an interim leader on October 17 following a historic zero-seat wipeout and the immediate resignation of Christine Fréchette. Olympic Park officials confirmed the stadium's eight hundred and seventy million dollar roof is on budget, but interior renovations remain completely up in the air. Montreal police arrested multiple minors on Thursday following two separate, chaotic car chases involving a jewelry store heist and a crashed Communauto vehicle.

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. On today's Big 5: Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer at Women in Governance, and Victor Henriquez, public affairs and crisis management specialist at Public Strategy and Conseil. The Parti Québécois set a Canadian record by forming a government with just 28.02% of the popular vote, reigniting intense debates over electoral reform. Tech billionaire Elon Musk used his social media platform X to advocate for the separation of Quebec, Alberta, and Saskatchewan from Canada. Federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser announced that individuals with mental illness as their sole condition will be indefinitely excluded from medical assistance in dying. A fatal homeless encampment fire in Montreal-North sparked fresh outrage as a city eviction order threatened to close a large rooming house. A Montreal man launched a legal and public battle against the provincial environment ministry to prevent authorities from seizing his pet raccoon.

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. On today's Big 5: Political analyst Karim Boulos, and Meeker Guerrier, commentator at Noovo and RDS. Premier-designate Paul St-Pierre Plamondon announced he is seeking legal avenues to block the Lieutenant-Governor from opening the legislature, setting up an immediate constitutional showdown with Ottawa. Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada declared that Montreal has no role to play in a potential sovereignty referendum, insisting the city's priority remains local infrastructure and homelessness. Quebec's minority result has reignited fierce arguments over whether the first-past-the-post system successfully delivered balanced representation or needs immediate proportional reform. Christine Fréchette resigned as leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec following the party's historic and total annihilation at the polls on Monday night. The surging Conservative caucus is turning heads at the National Assembly with its polarizing mix of characters, including doctors, anti-vaccine activists, and twenty-three-year-old Éloïse Coulombe.

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. On today's Big 5: Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, and columnist for the Montreal Gazette, and Rudy Husny, political analyst and former advisor in the Harper government. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon will become Quebec's next premier after leading the Parti Québécois to a historic minority victory, falling just short of a majority. Premier Christine Fréchette took full responsibility as the Coalition Avenir Québec was completely wiped off the electoral map with zero seats. Charles Milliard led a resurgent Quebec Liberal Party to an impressive forty-seat Official Opposition caucus, expanding aggressively off Montreal Island. Éric Duhaime's Conservatives made a historic breakthrough by turning widespread regional support into seventeen National Assembly seats. Québec solidaire co-leader Ruba Ghazal fended off a total collapse to secure a persistent presence in a newly crowded legislature. Voter turnout hit 66.89%, marking the highest percentage of civic engagement the province has seen since the 2014 election.

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. On today's Big 5: Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist, and former special advisor to Valerie Plante, and Anthony Koch, former National Spokesperson for Pierre Poilievre and managing principal at AK Strategies. Quebecers head to the polls today as final weekend surveys put the PQ in the lead under thirty percent, while the surging Conservatives hit twenty percent and the plunging CAQ faces a projected zero-seat wipeout. A Montreal Gazette investigation revealed text messages proving the PQ scheduled a cancelled Washington trip in March, despite previous denials of formal requests to meet with US officials. Quebec's strict new appliance warranty law takes effect today, forcing electronic goods to last for mandatory periods but drawing retailer warnings of thirty percent price spikes. Tech giant Anthropic quietly consulted global religious scholars, philosophers, and Pope Leo XIV to evaluate morality and whether sophisticated AI models are achieving consciousness. Hockey Canada's president was shut out of the International Ice Hockey Federation council as nations like Hungary, Turkey, and Poland beat out Canada for leadership seats.

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. On today's Big 5: Daniel Tran, political analyst and former municipal economic development advisor, and Sue Smith, Montreal journalist and broadcaster. With three days left, party leaders are playing intense defence in traditionally safe ridings like Orford and Maurice-Richard. Projection site route127.ca shows the CAQ in danger of a near-total wipeout on Monday, potentially saving only Bernard Drainville's riding. Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime abandoned plans for a language policy, arguing voters have moved past French vs. English squabbles. A scathing Toronto Star column details allegations that Mark Carney's inner circle is completely sidelining traditional cabinet power. The Parliamentary Budget Officer released a staggering new report pegging the Alto high-speed rail costs at one hundred and thirteen billion dollars. McDonald's denied allegations that it relies on hidden artificial intelligence algorithms to implement localized surge pricing for Big Macs.

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. On today's Big 5: Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer at Women in Governance, and Jonathan Kalles, Senior Vice President at Vantage and former advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Columnist Paul Journet warned that PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon may weaponize future federal clashes, like the upcoming Bill 21 Supreme Court ruling, to manufacture the political crisis needed to boost stagnant sovereignty support. Independent Chambly candidate Caroline Boisvert sparked fierce campaign trail debate after distributing promotional flyers featuring herself topless. A constitutional challenge was officially filed against Montreal's newly passed bylaw that carries heavy fines for insulting police and city staff. An Ontario truck driver was sentenced to six years in prison for causing a deadly 2022 South Shore pileup while playing a game on his cellphone.

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. On today's Big 5: Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, and columnist for the Montreal Gazette, and Rudy Husny, political analyst and former advisor in the Harper government. Premier Christine Fréchette admitted a member of her own campaign leaked the controversial American interference story to reporters before she was personally briefed on it. A scathing column in the Journal de Montréal compared Christine Fréchette's struggling campaign to Kim Campbell's historic 1993 conservative collapse. PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon faced intense pressure to clarify his position on religious symbols as he pushes for a majority government in the final week. Donald Trump's one billion dollar ban on Canadian alcohol, dairy, and motorcycles took effect today while Washington signals it is in no rush to negotiate. The NHL season launches tonight under a new broadcast era that completely eliminates free, over-the-air television coverage for hockey games.

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. On today's Big 5: Dan Delmar, independent political analyst, media strategist, and co-founder of TNKR Media, and Andrew Caddell, columnist for the Hill Times and President of the Task Force on Linguistic Policy. On the fifth annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, listeners and panelists clashed over the lack of Indigenous history taught in French public schools while fewer than twenty of ninety-four historic Calls to Action have been completed. Correctional Service Canada announced federal prisons will now distribute safe inhalation and snorting supplies, including paper straws and foil, to reduce overdose risks. Guelph's mayor and university officials are demanding answers after an unsanctioned homecoming street party deteriorated into a violent riot. Trump advisor Peter Navarro ordered Canadian lobbyists to "get the hell out" of the US as Prime Minister Mark Carney warned Canada may escalate the trade war.

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. On today's Big 5: Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist, and former special advisor to Valerie Plante, and political analyst Karim Boulos. Three new provincial election polls confirm Premier Christine Fréchette's CAQ is plunging in support, with one survey showing a massive seven-point drop into fourth place. Premier Christine Fréchette faced heavy criticism after reports revealed the CAQ tried shopping a "top secret" American election interference story to media outlets before contacting Canada's spy agency. Lawyers issued a formal warning to Élections Québec demanding a retraction of directives that reportedly instructed polling station workers to restrict their use of English. The UCI Road World Championships wrapped up in Montreal, leaving a mixed legacy of beautiful scenery alongside business frustrations over inaccurate maps and parking tickets. Meta's new AI agent Muse sparked immediate safety concerns following reports of the bot leaking a user's home address and reading private chat histories without permission.

Joining Elias on today's Big 5 were Trudie Mason, veteran newscaster at CJAD 800 & Lea Streliski, Best-selling author, comedian and columnist. Among the topics discussed  Marwah Rizqy is going public with the tragic loss she and her husband Greg Kelly suffered recently. In a piece published in the Journal de Montréal titled La lettre à l’enfant que je n’aurai pas – or Letter to the child I will not have – the outgoing MNA opens up on losing her third child during pregnancy. In an attempt to gain popularity with the youth…Quebec Conservative leader Éric Duhaime decided to send a letter to over 46 thousand Quebecers between the ages of 18 and 22. Something we rarely cover on the Big Five – literary scandals. But this one hits close to home. Thélyson Orélien, a Haitian-born Quebec writer, was having quite the year. His debut novel, C’était ça ou mourir, went from a Quebec success to a literary sensation in France, earning international attention and major prize nominations. “AI-written speeches are taking over politics” – that’s the headline in the latest edition of The Economist catching a lot of attention.

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. On today's Big 5: Victor Henriquez, public affairs and crisis management specialist at Public Strategy and Conseil, and Dan Delmar, independent political analyst, media strategist, and co-founder of TNKR Media. Quebec's final election debate on Radio-Canada focused heavily on a potential sovereignty referendum, with Premier Christine Fréchette and Éric Duhaime drawing hard lines against the PQ. Prime Minister Mark Carney revealed to The New York Times that Ottawa is preparing for extreme risks, including a potential U.S. military invasion, while warning against Canadian reliance on Elon Musk's Starlink. A new Leger poll indicates seventy percent of Canadians support seeking an associate membership with the European Union, though voters strongly oppose altering domestic laws to match European regulations. Outrage is growing over the murder of a forty-five-year-old Montreal woman during a work video call after reports surfaced that the prime suspect was recently released following an assault on police officers.

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. On today's Big 5: Daniel Tran, political analyst and former municipal economic development advisor, and Andrew Caddell, columnist for the Hill Times and President of the Task Force on Linguistic Policy. Quebec's party leaders head to Radio-Canada tonight for the final debate of the campaign with the PQ stuck just under thirty percent in the polls. Liberal Leader Charles Milliard continues a frantic campaign push across the province despite struggling to gain traction with voters. Éric Duhaime's Conservative Party unveiled nationalist policies including a Quebec constitution and a provincial sovereignty shield law. A fierce debate has erupted on the campaign trail over birth rates, baby bonuses, and the long-term impact of provincial population declines. BC Premier David Eby triggered a snap election citing Donald Trump as an existential threat, mirroring tactics used by Quebec and federal leaders.

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. On today's Big 5: Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, and columnist for the Montreal Gazette, and Bonnie Feigenbaum, former Conservative Party of Quebec candidate, lecturer at Concordia and McGill, and media consultant. Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime declared the English language debate "passé" and expressed readiness to collaborate with any party in a minority government. A fresh Léger poll shows the PQ leading at twenty-nine percent, fueled by strong francophone support that keeps a majority within reach. CAQ Leader Christine Fréchette pledged to abolish the twice-yearly time change, following western provinces in moving to a permanent system. Montreal City Council passed a controversial bylaw carrying heavy fines for insulting police officers and municipal employees. Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada blocked Tennis Canada's four hundred million dollar stadium expansion plans at Jarry Park.