The Big Story

The list is long, and varies from school to school. Some of it is structural—leaky roofs and mice infestations, repairs that never get made, poor ventilation. Some of it is impacting learning more directly—staffing shortages, a lack of equipment like textbooks and markers, and not even 1x1 care for students with special needs. Add it all up, and most schools are fighting just to stay afloat.How did this happen? It's a story that spans the past few decades, and has also happened elsewhere in Ontario. It's a problem that could happen anywhere, really. The question is if we'll solve it before it takes its toll on students...GUEST: Wency Leung, reporter, The Local 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

The deadline for the airline to reach agreement with its pilots is still a week away. But already flyers are scrambling for alternatives and Air Canada is planning to start cancelling flights as soon as this weekend. Tens of thousands of passengers a day may find their flights cancelled, and some may end up stranded far from home. It's happened once already this year. What happens if Air Canada's planes don't fly?In the bigger picture, this labour dispute is the latest in a series of them that have plagued North American transport all year, from airlines to rail to ports. Why so any, and why now? And what needs to change if we want people and goods to keep moving on time?GUEST: John Gradek, aviation industry expert, Faculty Lecturer and Program Co-ordinator, Supply Chain, Logistics and Operations Management, McGill UniversityLISTENER NOTE: A previous version of this episode contained erroneous information about an airline's duty to rebook passengers on new flights after cancellations. You can find a complete rundown of Canadian air passenger protection regulations 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 @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

New data shows that opioid overdose deaths in the province from January-May fell from 788 in 2023 to 431 this year, a 55 percent decline. There are a number of factors that could explain the reason why, but the most political one is the United Conservative Party's focus on treatment and recovery, as opposed to harm reduction or safe supply.Except... the UCP does fund harm reduction programs, and has even increased the availability of them. It just doesn't like to talk about it. The decline in overdoses is a hopeful sign that a nuanced approach can work, even if it's not being advertised. So what can we learn from it?GUEST: Dr. Monty Ghosh, Internist and Addiction Specialist; Assistant Professor Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta 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

Kevin Falcon, former leader of the BC Liberal party turned BC United, dives into the dramatic collapse of his party and the rise of BC Conservatives. He discusses the party's rapid decline, how rebranding failed to revive its fortunes, and the implications for the upcoming election. Falcon and political analyst Philippe J. Fournier also explore shifting voter dynamics and the broader trends impacting Canadian politics, including the potential influence on elections in New Brunswick and Saskatchewan.

The Bank of Canada has made headlines with a third consecutive interest rate cut. Experts dive into what this means for the economy and your personal finances. They discuss the impact on borrowing costs and inflation, providing insights into long-term stability. Navigating between fixed and variable loans becomes crucial as market trends shift. Prepare for financial planning in 2025 while understanding the potential pitfalls hidden in economic indicators.

It was supposed to be an eight-day mission. It will be at least eight months. When two astronauts took Boeing's Starliner to the International Space Station in June, they were prepared for a quick turnaround. Today, the Starliner comes back to Earth ... without them. Instead, they'll have to be rescued by Boeing's biggest rival in the Space Race, Elon Musk's SpaceX. But that won't happen until next year. In the meantime, they're up there. For a lot longer than they'd planned. Oh, and it's probably nothing, but the Starliner is making some weird noises...GUEST: Joey Roulette, Space Reporter, Reuters 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

The supply and confidence agreement between the Liberals and NDP lasted nearly two and a half years—but now it's over. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh announced Wednesday his party would no longer prop up the Liberal's minority government in exchange for policy priorities. Without that support, any confidence vote this fall could lead to an immediate federal election.But will it? Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has called for a vote, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he's focused on policy and not politics. So ... what happens now? In a fall session that's been flipped on its head, what should Canadians expect? Pharmacare and other bills? Or a quick trip to the polls?GUEST: Cormac Mac Sweeney, Parliament Hill Bureau Chief, CityNews 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

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith discusses the controversial transfer of a northern Alberta hospital to Covenant Health, a private Catholic provider. Smith reveals potential plans for more hospital transitions in the future. The conversation dives into concerns about patient care, particularly regarding reproductive services and the impact on rural healthcare access. Exploring the intersection of faith and public health, they raise urgent questions about the direction of Alberta's healthcare system and how it may affect accessibility and accountability.

The discussion uncovers the myth of a tight labor market in Canada, highlighting the stark realities of stagnant wages and uneven job conditions. Experts dive into the paradox of plentiful workers versus critical shortages in key sectors like healthcare. They examine government responses to labor issues and question the narrative surrounding temporary foreign workers. Ultimately, the conversation advocates for greater investment in public sector jobs and calls for reforms to bolster workers' rights and union membership for a more equitable economy.

It's a long weekend, and that means its time to reach back into the bag and pull out some of our favourite listener feedback from the last few weeks. A sincere thanks to all of you who have written in. Every piece of feedback is immensely helpful, so please keep it coming! Happy labour day from everyone at The Big Story!  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