The Big Five Podcast

Elias Makos welcomes back Anthony Koch, Former National Spokesperson for Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and current managing principal at AK Strategies, and Raphaël Melançon, a political analyst for Noovo and CTV Montreal News at 5. He is also the president and founder of Trafalgar Strategies. A Quebec City bar sparked outrage after posting a job ad on Facebook seeking a barmaid who was not “woke,” pro-Liberal, pro-CAQ, or supportive of COVID-19 health measures A new Leger poll shows that 61% of Quebecers now support lowering the legal blood alcohol limit for driving from 0.08% to 0.05% Elbows up! Except if you're the Canada Pension Plan. The CPP fund’s U.S. exposure has grown to 47%, despite calls for it to increase investments at home

Elias Makos is joined by Justine McIntyre, Strategic consultant and former city councillor, and Political analyst Karim Boulos. Canada is in discussions to join the U.S. “Golden Dome” missile defence program, according to the Prime Minister’s Office The Plante administration will be testing an urban innovation in the neighbourhood east of the Jacques-Cartier bridge that turns residential areas into giant cul-de-sacs Quebec’s culture minister Mathieu Lacombe is set to table a new bill which will require major streaming platforms like Netflix and Spotify to boost visibility of francophone content

Elias Makos kicks off the week with Paul Gott, Lead singer and guitarist for Montreal Punk Rock band the Ripcordz and a journalism professor at Concordia, and Andrew Caddell, a town councillor in Kamouraska, and President of the Task Force on Linguistic policy. Canada Post has received a strike notice from the union representing 55,000 postal workers, who plan to walk off the job starting Friday, amid ongoing collective agreement talks New polling from Leger reveals that a majority of Quebecers want an end to the province’s carbon pricing scheme and think that a pipeline for Alberta’s oil coming through Quebec would be a good idea Police in Kingston, Ontario are using drones to catch distracted drivers using their smartphones behind the wheel Up at Bordeaux prison it seems that prisoners have managed to illegally access cell phones

Dan Delmar, in for 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 Jimmy Zoubris, special advisor to the Mayor on The Big  5. Prime Minister Mark Carney has confirmed that his government will present a full federal budget this fall. Former Montreal mayor Denis Coderre criticized the Quebec Liberal Party's leadership race Will apps like TikTok and Youtube one day soon impact hockey watching?   

Elias Makos caps the week off with Justine McIntyre, Strategic consultant and former city councillor, and Andrew Caddell, a town councillor in Kamouraska, and President of the Task Force on Linguistic policy. Elections Canada confirmed that five ballots arrived late in Quebec’s Terrebonne riding due to an envelope with an incorrect postal code Quebec Premier François Legault says he’s open to new pipeline projects in light of Donald Trump’s tariff threats Despite saying he’ll lead the CAQ into the 2026 election, François Legault may be weighing whether to step down The “Original Sin,” which describes the behind-the-scenes mental and physical decline of Joe Biden

Elias Makos talks with Anthony Koch, former spokesperson for Pierre Poilievre, and Jonathan Kalles, former advisor to Justin Trudeau. They delve into the political turmoil surrounding Mark Carney, exploring how his ministers are complicating his plans. They discuss Quebec's staggering $14 billion deficit and the public's desire to tax the wealthy rather than cut services. The conversation also touches on the evolving definitions of wealth in tax debates and the repercussions of immigration policies in light of budget management ahead of elections.

Elias Makos chats with Dan Delmar, co-founder of TNKR Media and podcast host, alongside Montreal journalist Sue Smith. They dive into Mark Carney’s cabinet, debating if it welcomes fresh faces or preserves the old guard. The conversation touches on a shocking electoral recount in Terrebonne, revealing cracks in the process. They scrutinize escalating costs in healthcare modernization projects, which have inflated dramatically, and urge for better community ties to enhance support for aging populations.

Join Paul Gott, lead singer of the punk band Ripcordz and Concordia journalism professor, alongside Akil Alleyne, a seasoned reporter and commentator. They delve into the new cabinet unveiled by Prime Minister Carney, discussing the potential impact of fresh faces on governance. The conversation shifts to the disputed Terrebonne byelection, questioning electoral integrity. They then tackle the complex issue of graffiti, balancing its artistic merits with the challenges it poses in urban settings. A lively debate is sure to ensue!

Jimmy Zoubris, a special advisor to the Mayor of Montreal, teams up with Gabriel Retta, Chief of Staff to the Official Opposition, to tackle urgent issues in the city. They discuss the precarious future of Montreal's Formula 1 Grand Prix, spotlighting stalled negotiations and the need for enhancement amidst competition. The duo also delves into the controversy surrounding a mayoral candidate accused of violating housing regulations, exposing the clash between political integrity and the pressing housing crisis in Montreal.

Elias Makos ends the week with Sue Smith, a Montreal journalist and broadcaster, and Andrew Caddell, a town councillor in Kamouraska, and President of the Task Force on Linguistic policy. Yesterday in a historic and some say unexpected move, an American cardinal named Robert Francis Prevost, originally from Chicago has been elected pope A report in La Press this week that some new seniors’ homes were costing the Quebec government as much as $1.8 million dollars a unit, the Minister for Health and for Seniors The Quebec student cellphone ban walkout (strike?) is supposedly happening today