The Big Five Podcast

Graham Singh, Pastor at St. Jack's Church, shares insights on community and youth mental health, emphasizing the importance of faith in fostering resilience. Caroline Codsi, founder of Women in Governance, tackles the gendered impacts of politics on mental health, linking polarization and cultural pressures to rising anxiety among young women. They discuss the consequences of social media on mental health, particularly for liberal young women, and highlight how traditional values can provide grounding in today's chaotic world.

Justine McIntyre, a strategic consultant and former city councillor, joins political analyst Raphaël Melançon for a deep dive into the chaos within the Quebec Liberal Party. They discuss Marwah Rizqy's suspension and allegations of vote-buying during the leadership race. The panel debates whether Pablo Rodriguez can weather these scandals and what it means for party dynamics. They also touch on extravagant nurse salaries and a controversial Ontario proposal forcing impaired drivers to pay child support after fatal incidents. Political intrigue abounds!

Join Montreal journalist Sue Smith and public affairs specialist Victor Enriquez as they dive into this week's hot topics. They analyze the shaky fate of the REM network after an unfortunate accident raises questions about its reliability. The duo debates the implications of Prime Minister Carney's narrow budget survival and the fairness of provinces like Manitoba poaching Quebec doctors. They also tackle the confusion around food labeling and the political fallout of Health Minister Dubé's trip to Florida, highlighting how optics can make or break a politician.

In this discussion, Dan Delmar, a political commentator and co-founder of TNKR Media, joins former Montreal advisor Jimmy Zubris to dive deep into current political events. They analyze the potential fallout of Mark Carney's upcoming budget vote and predict a nail-biting outcome. The pair also unpack the Parti Québécois's intriguing proposal for a provincial currency, exploring its implications for Quebec's economy. To lighten things up, they celebrate the successful launch of the new REM transit line, highlighting its positive impact on Montreal.

Jonathan Kalles, Vice President at McMillan Vantage and former advisor to Justin Trudeau, joins Alain Vaillancourt, former Montreal city councillor, for a lively discussion. They dive into Soraya Martinez Ferrada's inaugural challenges as Montreal's mayor, tackling issues like homelessness and transit. The panel also analyzes the recent STM strike and the promising yet shaky launch of the REM transit system. Additionally, they address Quebec's controversial decision to threaten social assistance cuts for asylum seekers, exploring the political implications.

Elias Makos is joined by Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance, and Paul Gott, Lead singer and guitarist for Montreal Punk Rock band the Ripcordz and a journalism professor at Concordia. Is Mark Carney’s honeymoon with voters coming to an end? Quebecers are seemingly not impressed with Mark Carney’s first budget. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre spoke to reporters yesterday for the first time since two MPs announced they were leaving his caucus.  As it stands right now, there will be no bus or metro service this weekend.  Doctors leaving for Ontario may not be getting the better lifestyle that was promised to them. 

Meeker Guerrier, a sharp political commentator from Noovo and RDS, joins Daniel Tran, Director of Communications at Casacom, to dissect Quebec's political landscape. They dive into Premier François Legault's staggering 71% disapproval rating and explore potential party shifts. The conversation turns to an ambitious urban renewal proposal for the Metropolitan Expressway, and they react to the striking news of Apple’s bizarre $320 phone sock. Insights on public health reforms and the latest on the STM strike add depth to an engaging discussion.

Elias Makos is joined by Political analyst Karim Boulos, and Trudie Mason Veteran newscaster here at CJAD 800. Does Canada need some sort of mandatory national service, be it military or otherwise?  The Quebec government says it has no plans of backtracking from Bill 2 after the mass protest by the province’s doctors at the Bell Centre over the weekend. Premier François Legault presented his economic vision yesterday. 

Elias Makos kicks the week off with Lionel Perez, Former city councilor and leader of the Official Opposition at Montreal City Hall, and Jimmy Zoubris, special advisor to the Mayor. More than 12 thousand doctors packed into the Bell Centre to denounce the Quebec government’s law overhauling physicians’ work and pay structures.  As we enter the second week of a month-long maintenance worker strike at the STM, the Journal de Montreal’s investigation bureau decided to take a closer look at the STM’s current collective bargaining agreement. Months after being suspended from baseball, Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been indicted on charges of taking bribes from sports bettors.  

Joining Elias on The Big 5 this morning were Sue Smith, Montreal journalist and broadcaster and Alain Vaillancourt, out-going Borough Councillor in the Sud-Ouest borough. Among the topics discussed were Would you take the bus or metro more often if it were free? Tesla shareholders have signed off on a massive pay package for Elon Musk Another Conservative MP has decided to resign from caucus… eventually