The Big Five Podcast

Trudie Mason welcomes in Victor Henriquez, Public affairs and crisis management specialist at Public Strategy and Conseil, and Jonathan Kalles, Vice President at McMillan Vantage, a national public affairs firm, and former advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Ottawa is open to negotiate with Quebec about judge nominations come September. Are we slowly but surely becoming independent from Canada in everything but name? Sources tell LaPresse that UPAC investigators have identified four suspects, including one bureaucrat, in the SAAQclic scandal Parti Quebecois is taking the topic of praying in public to the membership to see if they want to advocate for a ban

Trudie Mason is joined by Justine McIntyre, Strategic consultant and former city councillor, and Paul Gott, Lead singer and guitarist for Montreal Punk Rock band the Ripcordz and a journalism professor at Concordia. Premier Francois Legault has officially been called to testify before the public inquiry into the SAAQclic scandal A Quebec committee says the government should extend religious symbols ban to daycares The Israeli flag at Hampstead town hall has been torched twice since last Thursday.

Political analyst Karim Boulos joins Trudie Mason to discuss a troubling report revealing that Montreal's roadwork is riddled with poor planning and material issues, particularly affecting vulnerable neighborhoods. They also delve into the implications of a cell phone ban in schools, questioning if teachers should exemplify responsible tech use. The conversation extends to the political landscape in Montreal, touching on the challenges faced by current leaders and the potential fallout from recent controversies.

In this episode, political analyst Raphaël Melançon and special advisor Jimmy Zoubris tackle the recent backtrack by Projet Montreal on biweekly trash pickups, prompted by community complaints about odors and overflowing bins. They also delve into a shocking hunting accident where a man mistakenly shot another, discussing the ramifications for hunting regulations and public safety. Plus, insights on Canada’s diplomatic role in Ukraine and the government's approach to navigating U.S. trade relations make for a thought-provoking discussion.

Christina Chough, a dedicated Spanish teacher and Chair of the Modern Languages Department at Dawson College, joins Dan Delmar, co-founder of TNKR Media. They dive into the SAQ's bizarre choice to destroy $300,000 worth of American alcohol, sparking debate on its potential to aid charities instead. They also touch on alarming poll results showing that many Canadians feel hesitant about Pierre Poilievre as PM. Alongside political insights, they discuss the urgency of addressing homelessness and the contentious shift in homework policies in schools.

Trudie Mason is joined by Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance, and Akil Alleyne, Reporter and commentator with extensive experience analysing legal, political, and social issues and Manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program. Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Mayor Valerrie Plante yesterday. They spoke about housing and tariffs- all in French. According to a new Leger poll: Few Quebecers believe Legault’s upcoming cabinet shuffle will change anything, and half want him to step down. Flight attendants won’t be punished after the Air Canada strikes. Rob Ford defended the homeowner who badly injured an intruder who broke into his home.

Justine McIntyre, a strategic consultant and former city councillor, joins commentator Meeker Guerrier to discuss significant issues affecting Quebec. They delve into a recent poll revealing shifts in political sentiment and the Parti Quebecois' resurgence. The conversation highlights the controversial cellphone ban in classrooms, weighing its potential effects on student focus. They also confront the alarming case of five Canadian Armed Forces members suspended for Nazi salutes, stressing the importance of integrity and ethics in the military.

Political analyst Karim Boulos, and Paul Gott, Lead singer and guitarist for Montreal Punk Rock band the Ripcordz and a journalism professor at Concordia. Air Canada flights are slowly taking off again today as a tentative agreement has been made with the AC flight attendant Union. Should Montreal double its number of bike paths? A micro-mobility study out of McGill University found suggests that more space for bikes are necessary, and would “barely affect” traffic for motorists.  ‘Skibidi’, ‘delulu’, ‘tradwife’ and other modern slang were added to the Cambridge Dictionary.

In this discussion, Jonathan Kalles, a former advisor to Prime Minister Trudeau and now Vice President at McMillan Vantage, teams up with Jimmy Zoubris, Special Advisor to the Mayor of Montreal. They dive into the ongoing strike by Air Canada flight attendants, examining labor rights and public sentiment. The conversation also touches on the resumption of SAAQclic hearings, exposing accountability issues within the Quebec government. Plus, they reflect on the implications of a law allowing restaurants to charge for no-shows amid concerns over customer loyalty.

Elias makos ends the week with Justine McIntyre, Strategic consultant and former city councillor, and Anthony Koch, Former National Spokesperson for Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and current managing principal at AK Strategies.  The OQLF has backed down once again following a media uproar. This time, they’re telling the Burgundy Lion Pub that their nearly two-decade-old sign can stay up as-is. Premier François Legault says the CAQ caucus is “ready to fight with me.” A bombshell report from Reuters on Meta’s AI policies has U.S. lawmakers calling for a congressional investigation. The next municipal election is in three months, and the campaign trail is heating up.