The Big Five Podcast

Elias Makos is joined by Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance, and Meeker Guerrier, Commentator at Noovo and RDS. A viral TikTok video is urging Quebec high school students to skip class this Friday in protest of a new government directive banning cellphones The Legault government is set to introduce a controversial bill aimed at making Quebec doctors more accountable for improving access to medical services Do we need to do more to restrict porn access, like the 20 U.S. states that require government ID verification, in this country? Clothing brand Garage is facing backlash over sexually suggestive products, including a t-shirt with the phrase “This top looks better wet.” Podcaster Joe Rogan says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre declined an invitation to appear on his podcast

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 Neil Drabkin is a lawyer who served as federal prosecutor and a political commentator who was a chief of staff in the Harper government. So Donald Trump did find out what Mark Carney wanted to talk about, after all. Both leaders met at the white house yesterday for the first time since the trade war began between Canada and the US.  Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is promising to listen and learn from his 2025 federal election loss, the same day his caucus opted to empower themselves to have the ability to remove their leader.  Bill 72, which amends the Consumer Protection act, comes into effect today. That means new rules for how the price of goods is displayed at the grocery store, especially when it comes to sales and points program pricing. It also means that when dining out, tips must be calculated before tax.

Dan Delmar, Co-founder of TNKR Media, and Justine McIntyre, a strategic consultant and former city councillor, dive into the fascinating dynamics of Mark Carney's upcoming meeting with Donald Trump, speculating on its negotiation challenges. They also discuss Alberta's push for a separation referendum, reflecting on provincial frustrations with federal policies. Additionally, the controversial police snitch line in Gatineau surfaces ethical debates as residents report non-Quebec license plates, highlighting tensions between local identity and government oversight.

Elias Makos kicks off the week with 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. Prime Minister Mark Carney held his first press conference since winning the election on Friday afternoon, and it was filled with interesting moments.  In his weekend interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, the President said it’s “highly unlikely” the US would use military force to annex Canada, The main candidates for the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party participated in the first two of six debates, including one in English

Join political analyst Karim Boulos and Andrew Caddell, town councillor and president of the Task Force on Linguistic Policy, as they dissect the latest political landscape. They dive into the Conservative Party's internal struggles post-election and the Liberals' strategic maneuvers. The conversation also tackles Quebec's new educational reforms, emphasizing respect and civility in schools, alongside a controversial cell phone ban aimed at enhancing student focus. The dynamics of political tensions in Quebec provide a captivating backdrop to their insightful dialogue.

Elias Makos is joined by Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance, and Jonathan Kalles, Vice President at McMillan Vantage, a national public affairs firm, and former advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. At a cabinet meeting at the White House Wednesday, President Donald Trump showered praise on Prime Minister Mark Carney. Trump added that Carney would come visit him within a week.  Despite losing his longtime seat and leading the Conservatives to another federal election defeat, Pierre Poilievre will remain party leader Do judges have too much power? Ontario Premier Doug Ford went off on the courts Wednesday, after an injunction blocked the province’s law targeting some of Toronto’s bike lanes

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, 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. A powerful windstorm swept through Quebec on Tuesday night, leaving nearly 100,000 Hydro Quebec customers without power and causing widespread destruction, particularly on the Island of Montreal Prime Minister Mark Carney was congratulated by Donald Trump in a private phone call yesterday, and the two agreed to meet “in the near future.” Carney was elected to deal with Trump, seemingly, so what should the game plan be? Donald Trump just passed 100 days in office. A new ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll asked Americans to describe Trump’s second term in one word''' Following Jagmeet Singh’s resignation after the NDP’s electoral collapse, Valérie Plante has emerged as a top choice among party insiders to succeed him, according to former leader Tom Mulcair Just a day after the Liberal win, Alberta has announced a sweeping list of electoral reforms. Of most importance to national politics - the bill tabled would lower the threshold to hold a referendum, giving fewer voters more time to force such a measure.

Elias Makos chats with Antonine Yaccarini, a savvy political analyst and PR expert, alongside Justine McIntyre, a strategic consultant and former city councillor. They dive deep into Mark Carney's notable Liberal gains in Quebec, unraveling the dynamics that left the Bloc Québécois reeling. The Conservative Party makes strides but struggles with internal issues post-election. With Jagmeet Singh announcing his resignation, the conversation hints at the potential evolution towards a two-party system in Canada, raising questions about the future of smaller parties.

In this lively discussion, Paul Gott, a punk rock icon and journalism instructor, teams up with Jimmy Zoubris, a special advisor to the Mayor of Montreal. They dive into the whirlwind of a 36-day election campaign, contemplating voter concerns like affordability and safety, and predicting a liberal majority amid shifting dynamics. The conversation takes a somber turn with reflections on a tragic event in Vancouver, highlighting public fears, mental health challenges, and the ongoing debate about safety versus individual rights.

Gabriel Retta, Chief of Staff to the Official Opposition in Montreal, and Christina Chough, Chair of the Modern Languages Department at Dawson College, dive into a fiery discussion about a controversial call between Mark Carney and Donald Trump regarding Canada’s statehood. They explore transparency issues in politics and analyze Quebec's costly infrastructure projects like the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine Tunnel. The chat also shifts to education, debating the implications of a court ruling on tuition hikes for out-of-province students, all while celebrating Montreal's passionate hockey culture.