The Big Five Podcast

On this Tuesday edition of the BIG 5, Elias 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 Dan Delmar, Co-founder of the content marketing firm TNKR Media and co-host of the podcast Inspiring Entrepreneurs Canada. Another morning, another very bad Journal de Montreal front page for Pablo Rodriguez. The paper reports on a fundraiser held for Rodriguez in April, where up to 20 people received envelopes of $500 cash in exchange for their campaign contributions. The Bondi Beach attack has many Jewish Canadians questioning their safety here in Canada. Many are pointing out the parallels between Australia and Canada when it comes to antisemitic events of the last few years. Let’s head to Ontario, where the Ford government is pitching a big new vision for Niagara Falls — one it’s calling the “Vegas of the North.”

Elias Makos starts off the week with Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist and former special advisor to Valerie Plante, and Jonathan Kalles, Vice President at McMillan Vantage, a national public affairs firm, and former advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Fifteen people, including a 10-year-old girl, were killed in a shooting targeting the country's Jewish community at a Hanukkah event on Sydney's Bondi Beach over the weekend. In response, Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada has asked police to increase security after the attack, and the SPVM say they will remain on heightened alert. A group of language experts says the federal government is sending the wrong signal by slipping into British spelling in official documents — including the 2025 budget. In a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, they argue that if Canada wants to project confidence and identity, it should start by using its own English on the page. Snow removal operations for the first big snow dump of the year are wrapping up, and one thing has become clear under the new administration: Bike paths are not the priority anymore. The city going so far as to ask cyclists to abandon their bikes and take public transit.

Join best-selling author and comedian Lea Streliski, along with commentator Meeker Guerrier, as they dive into the heated call for Pablo Rodriguez’s resignation from the Quebec Liberal Party. They analyze the recent agreement between family doctors and the Quebec government, criticizing the shift from penalties to incentives. The discussion also covers the controversial new French-language quotas for digital platforms and the implications of MP Michael Ma's party switch. Expect lively debates filled with cultural insights and political commentary!

Elias Makos welcomes back Graham Singh, Pastor at St-Jax Church, and Sue Smith is a Montreal journalist and broadcaster. The breaking news this morning - a tentative deal between Quebec’s GPs and the government. Are breathing a sigh of relief? Quebec’s anti-corruption squad, UPAC, has announced that it will open a criminal investigation into the Quebec Liberal Party. Radio-Canada reports that the campaign headquarters for Rodriguez’ leadership run were in an office belonging to his wife. Residents in the Milton-Parc area want a homeless shelter removed from the area.  The federal government’s new anti-hate speech law is making its way through parliamentary committees

Elias Makos is joined by Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance, and Political analyst Karim Boulos. Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., is stepping down in the new year as the country’s top diplomat in Washington.  Two years after the government put a ban on flavoured vaping products, sales on the black market have flourished.  Millions of children and teens have lost access to their accounts as Australia’s world-first social media ban has taken effect. Egypt’s football association says it wants no part of FIFA’s Pride World Cup match.

Elias Makos is joined by Victor Henriquez, Public affairs and crisis management specialist at Public Strategy and Conseil, and Justine McIntyre, Strategic consultant and former city councillor. Steven Guilbault has decided to air his frustrations with Prime Minister Mark Carney this morning in an opinion piece in La Presse.  Micheal Stern, The newly-elected mayor of Westmount has apologized after being caught on a hot mic. Robert Libman wrote an op-ed in the Gazette on the Quebec Liberals that puts it bluntly: “Fair or not, Rodriguez must step down.”

Elias Makos welcomes back Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist and former special advisor to Valerie Plante, and Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, columnist for the Montreal Gazette, and president and founder of Trafalgar Strategies.  It's CJAD’s 80th anniversary today. What does CJAD mean to you? A surreal Friday in Washington D.C. as the world’s attention was on the FIFA World Cup Draw. Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney held a 45-minute private meeting along with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum following the draw.  In a time where the province is seeing a lot of red in its finances, Premier François Legault presented his economic vision a month ago to reporters. One problem, it cost him $55 thousand to do it. That includes a nearly 15 hundred dollar Quebec Flag. 

Elias Makos ends the week off with 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 Lionel Perez, Former city councilor and former leader of the Official Opposition at Montreal City Hall. Some are banking hopes on an encounter between Prime Minister Carney and President Trump on the sidelines of the FIFA World Cup draw in Washington today. A new chapter has been added to the Quebec Liberal Party crisis. The Liberal MNA for Chomedey Sona Lahkoyan Olivier has been expelled from the caucus by Pablo Rodriguez. As the polls continue to trend towards a win for the Parti Quebecois in the next provincial election, the federal government is starting to plan for a referendum vote.

  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 Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance. Quebec will ban brownies – not the ones you bake, but the ones you give to buy leadership votes. Tired of a large number of students entering their stores, hurling insults, creating havoc, and stealing things, groceries and corner stores are fighting back.  Quebec’s Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette says the government plans to insert the right to abortion in the CAQ’s proposed Quebec constitution — Bill 1.  The Canadian government is being pulled into a heated debate over whether Ontario-made armoured vehicles should be shipped to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Join Paul Gott, a punk rock icon and journalism professor, alongside Justine McIntyre, a savvy political consultant, as they dissect Marwah Rizqy’s abrupt expulsion from the Liberals. They delve into the chaos of Quebec's language debate sparked by Marc Miller's candid remarks. The duo questions whether political frustration is wise amid growing nationalist sentiments. They also explore new legislation on ticket resales, unpacking the implications for consumers and artists alike, while touching on local controversies like anti-Santa signage during festive parades.