The Big Five Podcast

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.

Elias Makos is joined by Andrew Caddell, a town councillor in Kamouraska, and President of the Task Force on Linguistic policy, and Meeker Guerrier, Commentator at Noovo and RDS.  Quebec’s language watchdog has told Montreal’s transit agency to stop displaying English phrases like “Go! Canadiens Go!” on bus displays, citing the need to uphold French-language standards under Bill 96 The Globe and Mail, citing Ontario PC and federal Liberal sources, that Pierre Poilievre might lose his riding Reddit: “The drug use in Montreal is getting so out of control”

Joining the discussion are Dan Delmar, co-founder of TNKR Media and political commentator, and Justine McIntyre, a strategic consultant and former city councillor. They dive into the Conservative party's bold platform, promising significant tax cuts amidst a looming deficit. The conversation takes a quirky turn with a People's Party candidate claiming extraterrestrial origins, raising eyebrows about unconventional political beliefs. They also tackle the debate over banning cell phones in schools, emphasizing the need for better social interactions among students.

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 Akil Alleyne, Reporter and commentator with extensive experience analysing legal, political, and social issues and Manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program. Recent polls show a tightening in the race. Is this the most important election of your lifetime? An internal federal report from Policy Horizons Canada paints a bleak picture of life in 2040 Quebec hotels are facing a staffing crisis ahead of the busy summer season and are urging the provincial and federal governments to ease restrictions on temporary foreign workers Wine sales are down to levels not seen since 1961. Why aren't we cracking open a bottle?

Elias Makos kicks the week off with Raphaël Melançon, a political analyst for Noovo and CTV Montreal News at 5. He is also the president and founder of Trafalgar Strategies, and Jonathan Kalles, Vice President at McMillan Vantage, a national public affairs firm, and former advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Pope Francis has died at age 88, leaving behind a complex legacy as the first pope from the Americas and a figure celebrated for his humility and efforts toward inclusion Over the weekend, the Liberals released their party platform, and it’s an expensive one. $130 billion dollars in new spending over the next four years It's the last day for advance voting. Over the weekend, party leaders focused on key battlegrounds, with Pierre Poilievre and Jagmeet Singh campaigning in British Columbia while Liberal Leader Mark Carney rallied in Ottawa Montreal Canadiens playoff tickets are soaring to extreme prices, with resale sites listing nosebleed seats at over $550 and lower bowl tickets climbing past $2,000