The Big Story

Enjoy this special feed drop from our sister show 'In This Economy?!'

It's the kind of relief Canadians have been waiting to see for a while, but year after year, the idea of grocery prices lowering seems to be farther and farther away.

Dalhousie University's annual publication, 'Canada's Food Price Report', found that families will be spending an extra 4% on groceries next year, coming out at more than $17,000.

Host Mike Eppel speaks to the lead author of the report, Sylvain Charlebois, to discuss the latest in Canada's food market, and whether or...

Canadian consumers are a lot more aware of where their money goes these days – for a few reasons. There’s a lot of economic uncertainty but many of us are also more cognizant of buying Canadian where possible as the trade war with the US rages on.

The problem is – labels can be misleading, and the idea of something being ethical or sustainable might be different depending on your perspective.

Host Kris McCusker speaks to Jing Wan, a professor at the university of Guelph who studies ethical and sustainable consumption. They discuss ways to shop “smarter”...

Both the climate and tolerance of gender-based violence has changed since the 1989 femicide at Polytechnique Montreal. What was once strides forward in protecting women from violence, now seems like it's gone a few steps back considering GBV's more popular habitat: the internet.

Incel culture and the 'manosphere' have dominated online spaces for young men, most who initially search for a sense of community, but find themselves engaging in disturbing, highly violent behaviour towards women.

The Carney government has pledged more money in AI investments than in tackling GBV, but some experts believe a cut of...

Imagine a wine tour experience, but for cannabis.

Canada has strict consumption regulations for cannabis products, although government-owned weed shops decorate plazas across the country. That gap between retail shops versus consumption spaces has hospitality and business experts alike urging Ottawa to take advantage of a tourism goldmine.

Host Richard Southern speaks to Susan Dupej, a post-doctorate fellow at the University of Guelph to discuss Canada's current tolerance for tourists looking for a cannabis-friendly experience, and what steps our government should take to reach our potential.

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She’s tied for the most decorated Canadian Olympian, but she won’t be anywhere near a podium for at least two years.

Toronto’s Penny Oleksiak has been banned from competing until 2027 after allegedly violating anti-doping whereabouts regulations, something she says has nothing to do with banned substances.

The World Anti-Doping Agency is the international regulatory body that oversees drug testing for competitive athletes. Testing happens both after a competition, as well as in the form of pre-competitive check-ins, such as whereabout disclosures.

Host Alex Seixeiro speaks to Bruce Arthur, columnist for the To...

It's not the most commonly sought-after item on Facebook, but it's certainly not the least advertised on the platform's feeds either.

Advertisements for highly addictive and illegal drugs like cocaine and oxycodone continue to appear on Meta's social platforms, amid their no-tolerance policy for such content and for what they call 'robust' measures to keep them off.

The RCMP says it works extensively to intercept online purchases of illegal drugs, but Meta's reliance on AI to regulate advertisement sales and distribution doesn't allow for much policing.

Host Maria Kestane speaks to Ben Musset...

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith put pen to paper this past week, signing an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in hopes of strengthening Canada's economy and lessen our dependence on the U.S.

Plans for an independently-funded pipeline through British Colombia are in the works, depending on approval from the Major Projects Office and hinged on Indigenous co-ownership.

However, not everyone is on board with the terms of the MOU, especially Premier David Eby, as well as Liberal MP Steven Guilbeault who has resigned from the cabinet on Thursday.

Host...

It's not completely odd for a former Olympian to return to the limelight years after competing...but rarely is it for allegedly piloting a drug ring comparable to that of El Chapo's.

Ryan James Wedding now sits alongside some of America's most dangerous criminals on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list for several offences related to drug trafficking and murder.

A number of Canadians have been arrested earlier this month in connection to the case, including Wedding's defence lawyer from Brampton, Deepak Paradkar. And the FBI has hiked up the reward for his arrest...

A recent Leger poll commissioned by OMNI News found that 67% of newcomers believe Canada should admit fewer than 300,000 new immigrants per year, and 4 in 10 say that number should be less than 100,000.

The survey was conducted ahead of this month's federal budget announcement when Ottawa announced its plans to reduce new permanent resident visas to 380,000 per year from 2026 to 2028. However, respondents believe granting visas should go hand in hand with ensuring there's enough housing and social supports for people who are already in Canada before more people come in.

Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Teresa Romano...

The passing of omnibus Bill 60, also known as the 'Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act' has caused a fury of backlash across the province of Ontario, including tenant and housing advocacy groups.

The new bill, which was fast-tracked through the legislature, removes barriers to allow landlords to evict tenants if they're late on rent or if they're not paying their total. Many critics say this will worsen the homelessness crisis, especially during the upcoming winter months.

However, Housing Minister Rob Flack says it's about restoring balance within the housing system, rejecting claims that this will put...

Questions continue to be raised about what an interstellar visitor to our solar system actually is. NASA says although its eyes are peeled for signs of life, this isn't the case.

3I/ATLAS was discovered in July by the NASA-funded ATLAS survey telescope. The space organization says it's only the third object ever seen to be passing through the solar system from elsewhere in the galaxy.

However, some critics claim the comet's several anomalies pose as reasons as to why it should be considered an extraterrestrial being instead.

Host Richard Southern speaks to...

Enjoy this special feed drop of In This Economy?!

A recent report by Indeed Canada found that seasonal job postings are up 12% this year compared to 2024, which could offer some respite for those looking for work. Statistics Canada says the unemployment rate remains elevated for the month of October, sitting at 6.9%, while youth unemployment is basically double that at 14.1%.

Host Mike Eppel speaks to Brendon Bernard, senior economist at Indeed Canada to break down the report and discuss how the interest in holiday jobs says more about the bigger picture of the state of the...

There's always a big push to donate blood, but what about plasma?

It's the not-so-secret ingredient within whole blood that's packed with nutrients and proteins that helps boost the body's immunity. It also holds the power to act as a healing agent for other bodies that need its immunoglobulins.

However, Canada is facing a massive shortage of plasma, and if it doesn't keep up with demand, our healthcare system won't have the bandwidth to treat those in need.

Host Gurdeep Ahluwalia speaks to Jessica Carswell, Director, Strategic Engagement at Canadian Blood Services to...

As Prime Minister Mark Carney heads for the G20 Summit in South Africa, his trip to the United Arab Emirates proved to be one focused on strengthening diplomatic ties and potential foreign investment relations.

However, mention of the UAE's alleged involvement in the war in Sudan was something many Canadians and human rights activists felt was missing from the trip's itinerary.

Amnesty International claims credible sources have found the UAE to be in violation of the United Nations' arms embargo to Sudan's Darfur region, something the UAE repeatedly denies. The Sudanese war broke out in 2023...

November is financial literacy month, and when it comes to finances, ignorance is certainly not bliss.

With all the resources online, whether that be from TikToks or business blogs or even ChatGPT, it may seem intimidating to cut through all the noise to find out what works for you. But the reality is, educating yourself is easier than you think.

All it takes is one conversation.

Host Kris McCusker speaks to Gary Teelucksingh, co-founder of the Money Wise Institute and partner at Electric Mind. He’s also the author of Roots of Prosperity: Bu...

A recent report by the Canadian Cancer Statistics Advisory Committee found that after more than three decades of steady decline, cases of cervical cancer have plateaued in the past 20 years.

In an effort to make screening less daunting, the Canadian Cancer Society is pushing for all provinces and territories to replace the traditional pap smear examination with the human papillomavirus (HPV) test. So far, only four provinces have made the switch.

But the switch is just a piece of the puzzle. Access to screening, education on reproductive health, and destigmatizing testing all play a role...

As the U.S. House aims to vote on a bill this week to force Donald Trump’s Justice Department to make the Jeffrey Epstein files public, the president is now calling for Republicans to vote in favor of the files’ release.

It’s a noticeable change of heart that comes after Trump was named in newly released emails obtained by Congress that are reignited scrutiny of what he knew about Epstein’s conduct.

The dilemma continues to divide both his strongest supporters and his Republican party, and has even led to a falling-out with one of h...

Canada has seen four incidents in just two months of Canadian Border Service Agency primary inspection kiosks going down at some of the country's busiest airports.

CBSA's President Erin O'Gorman admitted they use what it calls 'legacy systems', but besides the security delays at air and land-crossings, these outages highlight the real neglect Ottawa has done to its agencies' technologies.

Host Maria Kestane speaks to David Shipley, CEO and co-founder of Beauceron Security to discuss the reality of Canada's ability to defend itself against National security threats, and whether or not these outages are as...

Ontario signed a 1-year renewal contract with Ottawa earlier this week, keeping childcare between $19-$22/day.

Instead of a 5-year renewal, Provincial Education Minister Paul Calandra wants the federal government to address Ontario's $2 billion shortfall, or else daily fees for families will increase.

Meantime, Ontario's Auditor General said Ontario wasn't meeting it's ECE staffing targets, nor was it building enough spaces to satisfy the 5.9 : 10 ratio requirement set out by Ottawa.

Host Maria Kestane speaks to David Macdonald, Senior Economist at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives to discuss their recent report on childcare...

Would you want to know if the food you were eating came from a cloned animal?

New Health Canada regulations set to kick in next year don't require beef and pork manufacturers to label whether or not their products were from cloned animals. After consultations with the general public and stakeholders, Health Canada decided to remove cloned meat from their 'novel foods' category.

Cloned animals are made through assisted reproductive processes such as artificial insemination. Sometimes, the cloned animals' offspring is what makes it to the meat counter.

However, questions have been raised...

Quebec doctors and healthcare providers are weighing their options when it comes to the future of their practice.

The province adopted Bill 2 last month, legislation that sets performance targets for healthcare providers with a financial penalty if not met.

The bill is in effort to address long wait times for surgery, emergency rooms, specialist consultations, and for the system overall to provide better care to all residents.

However, the bill's slash to salaries while simultaneously omitting failures from the Province's responsibility, has doctors and healthcare professionals rethinking their future in medicine in the...

It’s not a surprise but it is a disappointment.

Canada has lost its measles elimination status after almost 30 years. It comes as the country grapples with what it calls a 'mulit-jurisdictional' outbreak that began in October 2024, resulting in more than 5,100 cases and two infant deaths.

We are not the first country to lose the title - and we probably won’t be the last – but getting back in the 'elimination zone' will not be an easy one, and will be timely.

Host Kris McCusker speaks to Dr. Barry Pakes, Program Director of the Pu...

After a crumbling loss in the federal election, coupled with Prime Minister Carney's Liberal shift towards the centre, the NDP is grappling with a political identity crisis. What does it stand for? Who do they represent? And does Canada's population in 2025 even resemble what it's fighting for?

Meanwhile to the south, New York City Mayoral-elect Zohran Mamdani is entering his first full week on the job following his bold win over Cuomo and Sliwa. Although there's parallels between his campaign and the Canadian NDP, execution styles couldn't be farther apart.

Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to...

It's a life-or-death situation for 30 beluga whales currently being held at Marineland, an amusement park located in Niagara Falls, Ont., who's doors shuttered more than a year ago following claims of animal mistreatment.

The park has requested the mammals be moved to an aquarium in China, or for the federal government to provide emergency funding to keep them alive - or else they risk being euthanized. While these whales' lives remain in limo, these last weeks have been a finger-pointing battle between the park, the provincial government and federal government, all claiming onus doesn't fall on their...

From Conversative to Liberal, Nova Scotia MP Chris d'Entremont did more than just cross the floor after the budget was tabled.

It begged the question of whether or not Conservatives still believe Poilievre is doing the right thing at the top. After the fallout of the leader's comments on the RCMP, thorough conversations will be held ahead of January's Conservative Convention, where Poilievre's leadership will be brought into question for his party to decide on his fate.

Host Maria Kestane speaks to Glen McGregor, political correspondent for CityNews to dig into what d'Entremont's move implies...

In his first federal budget as Prime Minister, Mark Carney has his eyes on changing the country for generations to come, rather than making moves to satisfy the here and now.

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne tabled the 2025 budget on Tuesday, which included a $78.3B deficit, among cuts and investments to strengthen an independent economy with a focus on businesses and capital investments., rather than slashing the deficit.

Time will tell, though, if Carney's 406-page plan will get the support of the opposition parties, or fall short of approval resulting in a federal election.

This week last year, Americans brought Donald Trump back into the White House, electing him as the 47th President of the United States. While Trump knew what he had his eyes on, it's hard to say the rest of world adequately braced for impact.

Under the guise of prioritizing the American economy, Trump came out swinging at several targets, including Democrats, Canada, undocumented migrants, and anyone who spoke against him - just to name a few.

His $250M White House renovation project is just the latest agenda item for the administration, as architectural renders of...

The annual Hunger Count report has been released, and the startling numbers have set yet another record.

In fact, the number of people using food banks to fill the fridge has doubled since 2019. The struggles of many Canadians to handle the cost of living crisis has led to calls for the federal government to take action.

Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with Kirstin Beardsley, CEO of Food Banks Canada about the report, the troubling trends, and what she wants to see from the Carney government.

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Nothing beats a good cup of coffee, but nothing also beats a good night's sleep.

With the switch back to standard time right around the corner, our bodies will once again feel the disorientation of the 1 hour shift. The sun will rise and set earlier, and maybe it's time we move with the light instead of trying to ignore nature's clock.

Host Maria Kestane speaks to Dr. Elizabeth Klerman, a professor of neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. They break down the dos and don'ts of sleep, how to take advantage of...

The Governor of the Bank of Canada, Tiff Macklem, announced the fourth policy interest rate cut this year, down by a quarter of a percentage point to 2.25%, signaling a steadiness in inflation, while simultaneously warning of a weakening economy.

It comes in the midst of a volatile U.S.-Canada trade war, and ahead of a later-than-usual federal budget, with a projected deficit of close to $70 billion.

Host Mike Eppel speaks to Barry Schwartz, President and Chief Investment Officer at Baskin Wealth to get a pulse check of the Canadian economy ahead of the upcoming...

It was a quick post-and-delete from the Ontario government, after Premier Ford's $75M anti-tariff commercial broadcasted on American televisions, pissed off President Trump, and received some harsh penalties in return.

Trump said the content in the ad was fake, and went as far as suspending all trade negotiations with Canada as a result. A few days later, it seemed a new fury arose from the White House, with Trump slapping an additional 10% tariff on Canadian goods for not taking the commercial down fast enough.

Trade negotiations have been going on for months, but after Prime...

Alternative medicine is nothing new.

Although it can be risky and sometimes harmful, people with chronic pain or debilitating health complications are usually open to seeing what other treatment options can ease their pain - even if it's illegal and very much inaccessible.

A recent North American study found that one supervised dose of lysergic acid diethylamide or LSD - commonly known as acid - eased anxiety symptoms for several months. But the research on psychedelics being used to treat mental health issues is still very much in its premature phase, with nothing conclusive or...

Getaway motorbikes, 7 minutes, and a crane positioned to an open balcony of the Louvre.

The scene of a carefully orchestrated jewellery heist at the world's most famous museum in France, after a group of thieves stole about $143 million Cdn worth of crown jewels and fled the scene.

A pair of suspects have since been arrested, one of them at the Charles de Gaulle Airport as he prepared to allegedly board a flight to Algeria. But millions of dollars worth of France's history, and more suspects remain nowhere to be found, with the country now grappling...

Gold is having a moment - trading above $4,000 just a few months after hitting $3,000.

It's up by more than 50%t this year, on track for its best year since 1979. And volatility seems to be ticking higher too.

Gold has long been viewed as a safe haven in times of uncertainty - and let's face it, there's a lot of that right now. But could that role be changing, and does crypto currency become a factor in it all?

Host Kris McCusker speaks to Luis Seco - a professor in mathematics at the University...

No one likes checking their credit score and seeing a hit to the rating - even the Canadian government.

Credit rating agencies are bracing for the upcoming November 4th federal budget, and with a lack of fiscal updates since the last federal budget under the Trudeau government, economists aren't quite sure what they should expect when it comes to the deficit.

So just how deep could the red ink run? And will the minority federal government receive the backing from any of the opposition parties to get it passed through the House?

Host...

Top Trump administration officials have been in Israel this week to shore up a fragile and uncertain ceasefire in Gaza, after recent flare-ups of violence punctured the brief calm, with each side accusing the other of violations.

The truce faced fresh challenges this week after a bill applying Israeli law to the West Bank passed a symbolic vote in Israel’s parliament, revealing cracks between factions in the country’s right-wing parties, and underscoring the challenges ahead in ensuring both Israel and Hamas hold up their sides of the fragile ceasefire.

Host Caryn Ceolin is join...

A note to our listeners, this episode discusses sexual assault. Please take care.

Prince Andrew’s ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein thrust the British royal family into crisis again this week, with the release of a harrowing posthumous memoir by one of Epstein’s main accusers.
 
For years, Virgina Giuffre has accused Prince Andrew of sexual assault, an allegation he denies. But her book is likely to keep Andrew’s friendship with Epstein in the spotlight, throwing fuel on a cascade of scandal shadowing the King’s brother and a monarchy grappling with diminishe...

The Toronto Blue Jays have punched their ticket to the World Series, a feeling the team - and Toronto at large - haven't felt for 32 years.

But it isn't just Southern Ontario that's feeling the pride of the Boys of Summer. Fans from all across Canada are beaming for what's now being called 'Canada's Team', as the team gears up to host the Los Angeles Dodgers on home turf in just a few days time.

But the arrival of the Dodgers is a reminder of who the Jays are, and who they aren't, which is...

More than 750,000 Alberta students have been spending the better part of October not in a classroom, but rather left to their own devices as a historic province-wide teachers strike heads into a third week.

Although higher wages and increased staffing are among the key sticking points for the Alberta Teachers Association (ATA), the thousands of educational workers currently on the picket lines are looking for a generational change across the province's education sector. However, the Smith government doesn't seem to be budging on how far they want to reach into their pockets, with the Premier even considering...

It won't be a quiet four-month quest for Bad Bunny to return to the Super Bowl stage, this time as the halftime show headliner.

U.S. President Donald Trump, his affiliates and America's Republican diaspora have gone full-fledge meltdown over the global superstar being tapped to perform on one of the world's biggest stages. They've even gone as far as attempting to create their version of an 'all American' halftime show - organized by Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA.

But the Puerto Rican native seems to be taking the flack in stride, making light of...