The Big Five Podcast

Christina Chough, a dedicated Spanish teacher and Chair of the Modern Languages Department at Dawson College, joins Dan Delmar, co-founder of TNKR Media. They dive into the SAQ's bizarre choice to destroy $300,000 worth of American alcohol, sparking debate on its potential to aid charities instead. They also touch on alarming poll results showing that many Canadians feel hesitant about Pierre Poilievre as PM. Alongside political insights, they discuss the urgency of addressing homelessness and the contentious shift in homework policies in schools.

Trudie Mason is joined by Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance, 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. Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Mayor Valerrie Plante yesterday. They spoke about housing and tariffs- all in French. According to a new Leger poll: Few Quebecers believe Legault’s upcoming cabinet shuffle will change anything, and half want him to step down. Flight attendants won’t be punished after the Air Canada strikes. Rob Ford defended the homeowner who badly injured an intruder who broke into his home.

Justine McIntyre, a strategic consultant and former city councillor, joins commentator Meeker Guerrier to discuss significant issues affecting Quebec. They delve into a recent poll revealing shifts in political sentiment and the Parti Quebecois' resurgence. The conversation highlights the controversial cellphone ban in classrooms, weighing its potential effects on student focus. They also confront the alarming case of five Canadian Armed Forces members suspended for Nazi salutes, stressing the importance of integrity and ethics in the military.

Political analyst Karim Boulos, and Paul Gott, Lead singer and guitarist for Montreal Punk Rock band the Ripcordz and a journalism professor at Concordia. Air Canada flights are slowly taking off again today as a tentative agreement has been made with the AC flight attendant Union. Should Montreal double its number of bike paths? A micro-mobility study out of McGill University found suggests that more space for bikes are necessary, and would “barely affect” traffic for motorists.  ‘Skibidi’, ‘delulu’, ‘tradwife’ and other modern slang were added to the Cambridge Dictionary.

In this discussion, Jonathan Kalles, a former advisor to Prime Minister Trudeau and now Vice President at McMillan Vantage, teams up with Jimmy Zoubris, Special Advisor to the Mayor of Montreal. They dive into the ongoing strike by Air Canada flight attendants, examining labor rights and public sentiment. The conversation also touches on the resumption of SAAQclic hearings, exposing accountability issues within the Quebec government. Plus, they reflect on the implications of a law allowing restaurants to charge for no-shows amid concerns over customer loyalty.

Elias makos ends the week with Justine McIntyre, Strategic consultant and former city councillor, and Anthony Koch, Former National Spokesperson for Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and current managing principal at AK Strategies.  The OQLF has backed down once again following a media uproar. This time, they’re telling the Burgundy Lion Pub that their nearly two-decade-old sign can stay up as-is. Premier François Legault says the CAQ caucus is “ready to fight with me.” A bombshell report from Reuters on Meta’s AI policies has U.S. lawmakers calling for a congressional investigation. The next municipal election is in three months, and the campaign trail is heating up.

Elias Makos welcomes in Political analyst Karim Boulos and Raphaël Melançon, a political analyst for Noovo and CTV Montreal News at 5. He is also the president and founder of Trafalgar Strategies. Premier Francois Legault is meeting with his caucus this morning after a stinging defeat in the Arthabaska byelection. The owner of the Burgundy Lion says he won’t change the name of his pub. Toby Lyle says his business in Little Burgundy is the Office de la langue Francais’ (OQLF) latest target- and he’s fighting back. A 31-year-old man who was sentenced to prison last year for killing a Montreal teenager while speeding down a highway has been granted parole.

Elias Makos is joined by Catherine Hogan, high school teacher at Westwood Senior High in Hudson, and Lionel Perez, Former city councillor and leader of the opposition at Montreal hall, and Founder CEO of CorpCentre, an online legal filings service for small businesses. Following his party’s brutal performance in Monday’s Arthabasca byelection, François Legault is going to try to revitalize the CAQ… and that effort started on Tuesday with some listening. The Premier literally took to the streets of Quebec City to chat with monsieur et madame Tout-le-Monde. Canada’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson holds dual Canada-U.S. citizenship and sees “no reason” to give up his American citizenship “at this time.” The borough of Saint-Laurent is asking citizens to submit items for a time capsule. The capsule will be sealed and opened in time for the borough’s 150th anniversary in 2043.  Are we trusting AI too much? One man was poisoned after following ChatGPT medical directives.

Elias was joined on the Big 5 by Jimmy Zoubris, special advisor to the Mayor & Christina Chough, the Chair of the modern languages department at Dawson College. Among the topics discussed were The PQ steamroller continues. The party racked up its third by-election victory in a row last night, with Alex Boissonneault taking Arthabasca.  Who doesn’t have Air Conditioning right now? In the midst of a grueling heat wave, Montreal is sharing online how they are coping.  The leader of Ensemble Montreal Soraya Martinez Ferrada isn’t impressed with Montreal's bike lanes Donald Trump is sending the National Guard to Washington D.C.

Elias Makos kicks off the week with 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. Montreal police are investigating after an Orthodox Jewish man was assaulted in Parc-Ex on Friday. Somewhat big day in Quebec politics as voters go to the polls in the Arthabasca byelection. Polls show the PM has a 28 point lead ahead of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre when it comes to preferred Prime Minister. You've got no mail: AOL will close down its dial-up internet service on September 30. What does the dial-up internet sound mean to you?