The Big Five Podcast

Caroline Codsi, a champion for gender parity and governance reforms, teams up with Lea Streliski, a bestselling author and comedian, to dissect the political landscape of Quebec. They reflect on François Legault's tenure, weighing his initial pandemic leadership against diminishing public services and confrontational politics. The duo also explores the potential successors for Legault in the CAQ and discusses Canada’s evolving relationship with China. Finally, they debate the implications of the SAQ's new home delivery service for alcohol, considering public health concerns.

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 Trudie Mason, veteran Newscaster here at CJAD 800. U.S. President Donald Trump visited a Ford factory in Dearborn, Michigan on Tuesday, and dismissed the relevance of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, saying the U.S. doesn’t need the trade deal and that “Canada would love it.”  A new Leger poll says nearly one in three Canadians are afraid that the U.S will invade Canada. As per an Op-Ed in the Toronto Star, are the Canadians that continue to move their start-up companies to the U.S., or go to school in the U.S., or vacation in the U.S. bordering on treason? As Mark Carney lands in China, state media in that country is urging Canada to break free from “U.S. influence.” Mario Roy is adamant: He is running for the Quebec Liberal Party leadership

Joining Elias on The Big Five were Meeker Guerrier, Commentator at Noovo and RDS & Graham Singh, Pastor at St-Jax Church. Among the subjects discussed on The Big Five were Inaccurate headline alert: “Canadians feel that crime is worse than five years ago, despite decline in major cities.” The city of Montreal unveiled this year’s budget yesterday Mark Carney and his delegation are off to China, the first trip by a Canadian Prime Minister in more than eight years A hockey brawl involving kids under 8 years old during the intermission of an AHL game this weekend is being investigated in the U.S.  McDonald’s is “freezing” the price of a small coffee and its McValue meals as more and more customers balk at the high price of fast food. 

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. “Montreal’s Olympic Stadium started 2026 the same way it began the 1976 Games: under construction and without a roof.” Despite Montreal’s size and appetite for the FIFA World Cup, we will be sitting on the sidelines The Quebec Liberal Party leadership race kicks off today New evidence suggests that political pressure is cratering overdose deaths.

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 & Lionel Perez, Former city councillor and former leader of the Official Opposition at Montreal City Hall Among the topics discussed were Montreal’s police chief, Fady Dagher, says the mental health and homelessness situation in the city is getting worse The province’s largest health care facilities have spent over $50 million on security guards last year An Ontario court has ruled that a city’s municipal bylaw on lawns violates a citizen’s Charter right to Freedom of Expression

Andrew Caddell, a political analyst and president of the Task Force on Linguistic Policy, joins journalist Sue Smith to explore pressing issues. They debate the ethics of Chrystia Freeland's resignation linked to her Ukraine role. The conversation shifts to Mark Carney’s trade trip to China, weighing economic prospects against human rights. The pair also discuss Quebec public servants' resistance to a three-day office return and examine changes to U.S. alcohol guidelines, comparing them with Canadian health advice and cultural attitudes towards drinking.

Raphaël Melançon, a political analyst and founder of Trafalgar Strategies, teams up with Justine McIntyre, a former Montreal city councillor and strategic consultant. They dive into the hypotheticals of the U.S. buying Greenland, debating historical attempts and local sentiment. The conversation shifts to Quebec politics, highlighting youth support for Charles Millard's leadership campaign. Finally, they tackle the state of Trudeau Airport, weighing its infrastructure shortcomings against alternatives like Mirabel.

Joining the discussion are Akil Alleyne, a seasoned reporter and political analyst, and Victor Henriquez, a public affairs specialist. They delve into former Quebec Premier Jean Charest's warning about Trump possibly targeting Canada. The conversation shifts to the political implications of fear messaging in Canada and Trump’s military instincts. They also weigh in on the Quebec Liberal leadership race rules and the controversial rise in photo radar fines—debating whether it’s a safety measure or simply a cash grab.

Political analyst Karim Boulos and Montreal businessman Jimmy Zoubris dive into hot topics like the implications of Nicolás Maduro's capture. They debate whether U.S. actions serve humanitarian purposes or set troubling precedents. The duo examines Canada's response and the need for multilateralism in international affairs. They also discuss Kristia Freeland's new role advising Ukraine and its ethical implications. Finally, they tackle the innovative idea of converting unused office spaces into apartments to address Montreal's housing crisis.

Join Paul Gott, lead singer of punk rock band the Ripcordz and journalism professor, alongside Justine McIntyre, strategic consultant and former Montreal city councillor. They delve into the Quebec Liberal leadership race, assessing Charles Milliard's unique outsider status and potential hurdles. The duo discusses the frustratingly long wait times for Info-Santé (811) and the urgent need for healthcare reform. They explore the prospects of using AI in triaging symptoms and share insights on public sentiment towards the upcoming year.