The Big Five Podcast Smoking, drinking, gambling… and being American. Plus: Montrealer wins lottery
Jul 4, 2025
Join Akil Alleyne, a seasoned reporter and commentator, alongside Anthony Koch, former national spokesperson for Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. They dive into the growing Canadian sentiment of feeling unwelcome in the U.S., especially around July 4th. The conversation shifts to the implications of health taxes on sugary drinks and tobacco, exploring their effectiveness. Recent gambling scandals shake Major League Baseball, raising questions about integrity in sports. Plus, a Montreal woman’s lottery win sparks debate on choosing weekly payments versus a lump sum.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Canadians Feel Unwelcome Over Policies
- Many Canadians feel unwelcome in the U.S. due to government policies, not Americans themselves.
- Border security practices and political tensions under Trump fuel these concerns.
Guest Refuses U.S. Cherries
- Elias Makos shares a story where a guest refused to eat cherries from the U.S. on principle.
- This illustrates how political decisions impact personal behaviors even in casual settings.
Skepticism on Taxing Sugary Drinks
- Raising taxes on sugary drinks and tobacco aims to address chronic diseases but may strain people's finances.
- Past tax hikes led some consumers to seek alternatives, questioning effectiveness of such policies.
