The Big Five Podcast

Elias Makos is joined by Political analyst Karim Boulos, and Andrew Caddell, a town councillor in Kamouraska, and President of the Task Force on Linguistic policy. As we get hit with the biggest snowstorm of the season, the Montreal Children Hospital’s Trauma Centre is warning parents against the dangers of sledding and snow forts Canadian Premiers and Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc have described their meetings with White House officials as constructive Economic Minister Christopher Skeete’s proposed Bill 85 will let stores stay open with more than four employees beyond the current 9pm weekday and 8pm weekend restrictions

Elias Makos is joined by Neil Drabkin, is a lawyer who served as federal prosecutor and a political commentator who was a chief of staff in the Harper government, and Paul Gott, Lead singer and guitarist for Montreal Punk Rock band the Ripcordz and a journalism professor at Concordia. All of Canada’s living former prime ministers are urging Canadians to “show the flag” on Flag Day At a launch event on Tuesday, former PM Stephen Harper said the following: “And if I was still prime minister, I would be prepared to impoverish the country and not be annexed, if that was the option we’re facing.” Mark Carney, the heavily favoured candidate to be our next Prime Minister, is campaigning in $2,000 sneakers. Apple Maps has renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" following Donald Trump

Elias Makos is joined by Justine McIntyre, strategic consultant and former city councillor and Sue Smith, a Montreal journalist and broadcaster on The Big 5, Jagmeet Singh's NDP wants to reinstate the $5,000 federal rebate for electric vehicle purchases and double it to $10,000 for models made in Canada. Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency’s campaign against wasteful spending is seemingly impacting foreign aid groups in Quebec. The temporary GST holiday in Canada, which has been in effect since December 14, will end on Saturday, February 15th. 

Elias Makos starts the week with Dan Delmar, Co-founder of the PR and content firm TNKR Media and host of the Inspiring Business Hour - Saturdays at noon on CJAD 800, and Jimmy Zoubris, special advisor to the Mayor. Donald Trump announced he will impose a new 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, escalating his trade policy To add: Trump also doubled down on his suggestion that Canada should become the 51st state You see an Amazon delivery truck pull up outside your house only to see its driver get out and deliver a package to your neighbour. How do you react?  Ruby Dhalla, who does not speak French, will participate in a French-language debate for the Liberal Party leadership on February 24th in Montreal

Elias Makos caps off the week with Neil Drabkin, lawyer who served as federal prosecutor and chief of staff in the Harper government, and Meeker Guerrier, Commentator at Noovo and RDS. François Legault hopes that hockey fans at the Bell Centre will not boo the US national anthem during Saturday’s Canadiens game Quebec's culture minister has introduced a bill to officially declare hockey as the province’s "national" sport Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney would do the best job at negotiating with U.S. President Donald Trump, over Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and fellow leadership candidates Chrystia Freeland and Karina Gould, according to new polling from Nanos Research conducted for CTV News  

Elias Makos welcomes back Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance, and Andrew Caddell, a town councillor in Kamouraska, and President of the Task Force on Linguistic policy. Welcome to The Canadian War on Drugs. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre says he would impose life sentences for trafficking over 40 mg of fentanyl Donald Trump's recent threats have unexpectedly boosted the Liberal brand in both Ottawa and Quebec, as Quebecers rally against the US president For years, Quebec has pushed back against proposals to build new oil and gas pipelines through its territory. But now, Quebec’s Environment Minister, Benoit Charette, says the provincial government is open to revisiting two major energy projects it previously rejected

Elias Makos is joined by Paul Gott, Lead singer and guitarist for Montreal Punk Rock band the Ripcordz and a journalism professor at Concordia, and Jonathan Kalles, Vice President at McMillan Vantage and former advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. François Legault has condemned Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs as a “brutal economic attack” on Canada and Quebec A new Leger poll finds that 83% of Quebecers fear that Donald Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs will harm Quebec’s economy, with over half expecting severe consequences One mayor of a small Quebec town is taking the heat for his pro-Trump comments President Donald Trump has proposed that the US take "ownership" of Gaza and redevelop it into a thriving region after relocating displaced Palestinians elsewhere

Elias Makos is joined by Akil Alleyne, Reporter and commentator with extensive experience analysing legal, political, and social issues and Manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program and Justine McIntyre, strategic consultant and former city councillor on The Big 5. Donald Trump has paused tariffs on Canadian imports for 30 days after Justin Trudeau pledged $1.3 billion to strengthen northern border security, appoint a "Fentanyl Czar," and deploy 10,000 personnel. During yesterday's tariff chaos one of the suggestions brought up by many was the push to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers. Montreal’s REM system was shut down for over three hours yesterday and this morning.

Elias Makos begins the week with Jimmy Zoubris, special advisor to the Mayor, and Sue Smith, a Montreal journalist and broadcaster. Donald Trump wasn’t bluffing after all… As his 25% tariffs on Canadian goods came into effect on Saturday. But Canada was quick to respond with Justin Trudeau announcing 25% tariffs on a range of US goods The new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration will have significant economic impacts on Canadians, including job losses, a declining Canadian dollar, and market volatility Quebec’s Finance Ministry has ordered the SAQ to remove all American alcoholic products from its shelves starting Tuesday in response to US tariffs on Canadian goods At several sports events in Canada, fans have been booing the US national anthem in response to new tariffs

Elias Makos caps off the week with Meeker Guerrier, Commentator at Noovo and RDS, and Dan Delmar, Co-founder of the PR and content firm TNKR Media and host of the Inspiring Business Hour - Saturdays at noon on CJAD 800. Donald Trump says tariffs against Canada are coming tomorrow Amid our tensions with the United States, some are floating the idea of crossing the Atlantic and joining the European Union. Is this an idea worth considering? Quebec’s new integration bill, tabled by Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge, promotes interculturalism over multiculturalism Yet another NBA player is under investigation in an illegal betting probe