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The Big Story

Latest episodes

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Mar 29, 2024 • 22min

TBS Listener Feedback: Objectivity, Pornography and Bagged Milk

It's time again for us to dip into our trove of listener emails and voicemails and share with you some of our favourite pieces of feedback we received over the past month or so.A special thanks to everyone who's taken the time to tell us how you feel. Even if your submission didn't make it into this episode, please keep writing and calling in. Your input helps us make the show better. Have a great long weekend!   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 @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter
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Mar 28, 2024 • 19min

Ontario's government fought public workers for years. And lost billions.

Explore the Ontario government's failed attempt to cap pay increases for public workers, resulting in a $6 billion cost to taxpayers. Dive into the legal challenges, protests, and implications of repealing Bill 124. Understand the financial impact on the government budget and the contentious exemptions for certain public sector workers.
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Mar 27, 2024 • 20min

How the government investigates "greenwashing" complaints

Exploring the deceptive green practices of big corporations and the challenges consumers face in distinguishing genuine environmental initiatives from deceptive marketing tactics. Investigating false green claims by companies like Shell and the Competition Bureau's criteria for eco-certification validity. Environmental groups stepping up with complaints against greenwashing to ensure transparency in environmental claims and meet consumer expectations.
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Mar 26, 2024 • 26min

How Loblaw became Canada's "company store"

Delving into how Loblaw expanded from a grocery store to a retail behemoth in Canada, the podcast explores market dominance, monopoly concerns, and the controversial influence of Galen Weston Jr. It raises questions about government regulation, corporate reputation, and the challenges of addressing monopolies and oligopolies in essential industries.
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Mar 25, 2024 • 25min

How AI takes workplace surveillance to another level

We all know that companies track what we do on work devices. If, for example, you're listening to this show right now on a company phone or laptop, your boss could probably find that out, assuming they wanted to.But he’s where it gets darker: your boss might not have to bother finding out. An AI-driven worker surveillance program may be logging everything you do, completely automatically. And then judging your performance based on whatever it's been told to look for...GUEST: Valerio de Stefano, Canada Research Chair in Innovation, Law and Society 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 @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter
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Mar 23, 2024 • 35min

In This Economy: How subscription fees spiraled out of control

Netflix. Disney+. Prime. Apple TV+. Spotify. Newspapers. Magazines. Video games. Substacks. A secret caller (hint: you know him!) has a minor subscription addiction and needs help getting his spending under control. Jordan asks Barry Hertz, Deputy Arts Editor and Film Editor for The Globe and Mail, to explain the subscription boom we're living in, and learn a few tips to avoid high fees. Do you have a money problem? Call us and leave a message at 416-935-5935. Or email us at hello@itepod.ca. You can also find us on Instagram and TikTok @InThisEconomyPod. Don't forget to leave a call-back number, so we can get in touch. 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 @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter
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Mar 22, 2024 • 18min

The past, present and perilous future of bagged milk in Canada

Explore the origins and potential disappearance of bagged milk in Canada. Learn about its unique packaging, cultural impact, and future trends. Discover the environmental impact of dairy farming and the sustainability of bagged milk delivery. Dive into the emotional attachments and cultural significance of bagged milk in Canadian identity.
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Mar 21, 2024 • 24min

Measles are back. How worried should we be?

The podcast delves into the rising cases of measles in Canada, Europe, and the U.S., questioning the significance of low vaccine rates. It explores the historical impact of measles and the importance of widespread vaccination. The episode also uncovers the origin of vaccine hesitancy, regulations for MMR vaccines in schools, and strategies to promote vaccine uptake amidst the measles resurgence.
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Mar 20, 2024 • 17min

Why has Canada's program brought zero Gazans to safety?

When announced in December, it seemed like a new immigration program would allow Canadians with extended family in Gaza to finally bring them to safety. More than three months later, not a single person has arrived in the country.And it's not for lack of trying. Thousands have applied, and hundreds of applications are stuck in bureaucratic purgatory. Even Canada's minister of immigration has said Canada is "failing" Gazans. So what's gone wrong? Is the government to blame? Or is this the fog of war at work?GUEST: Yara El Murr, reporting in The GuardianCORRECTION: Eman al-Atbash is 29, not 20.  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 @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter
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Mar 19, 2024 • 22min

Explaining the ArriveCan scandal

A scandal surrounding the ArriveCan app developed during the pandemic raises questions about government spending. Journalist Irem Koca discusses the financial implications, subcontracting issues, and the debate over the government's intentions. The podcast explores controversies, investigations, overpayments, and conflicts among public servants. The episode delves into emergency procurement, contractor discrepancies, and the complexities of the scandal.

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