Shows / The Big Story
The Big Story
An in-depth look at the issues, culture and personalities shaping Canada today.
Episodes
- The Big Story
Are Canadians experiencing social burnout?
Statistics Canada just wrapped a 30 year study where they examined how Canadians spent their time and with whom. It found that in 2022, only 19% of working-age…
- The Big Story
Weekend listen: What can you expect from the economy in the second half of the year?
It's the mid-point of the year and it's the economic question everyone is asking - what's going to happen with interest rates? On this episode of In This…
- The Big Story
Oops he did it again....another Trump social media post rattles Canada
Stop us if you're heard this one before - a Trump threat on social media about tariffs rattles Canada. Because of a digital tax that's supposed to come into…
The Big StoryA journalist's near-death experience in Libya: the Outlaw Ocean Project
Tens of thousands of migrants choose between life or death in a quest to leave home in hopes of a better life, even if it means spending months working for…
- The Big Story
‘Razor blade throat’ and summer viruses: what you need to know
A few months ago, COVID variant NB.1.8.1 wasn’t making headlines. However, after first being detected in China in January, reported cases have risen…
- The Big Story
In an uncertain world, Canada overhauls its approach to defence
From the EU to NATO, the Prime Minister is focused on two defence fronts this week. A new partnership with the European Union could overhaul our approach to…
- The Big Story
Canada’s challenging wildfire season: why its impact goes beyond the smoke
Canada is on track to see the worst wildfire season since 2023. Millions of hectares of land scorched, thousands displaced and the smoke creating air quality…
- The Big Story
There is a way to make flying more affordable, but will the government actually do it?
In a newly released study, Canada's Competition Bureau says there is a way to lower the cost of plane tickets and give Canadians more flight options. The…
- The Big Story
Weekend listen: How do we REALLY deal with the issue of affordable housing?
Housing affordability is a buzz word lately but how likely is it that it will actually become reality? Actual action on the issue has been really slow and…
- The Big Story
Why is breaking down interprovincial trade barriers so controversial?
It was one of Carney's shiny campaign promises with a deadline of Canada Day, but the way Parliament has hit the ground running on it has various groups across…
- The Big Story
The Israel-Iran conflict: how did we get here?
There is a new war in the Middle East. Israel and Iran have been trading missile strikes as Israel seeks to bring an end to Iran’s nuclear program. There are…
The Big StoryLight at the end of the tunnel for one of Canada's most expensive transit projects
The opening date for a long suffering transit project in Toronto is a running joke across the GTA. The Eglinton L-R-T, a 25 stop above ground transit line, was…
- The Big Story
Everything that happened at the G7 before Trump's sudden departure
It was already an eventful day at the G7 before we learned last night that U.S. president Donald Trump was leaving early. The White House says he was returning…
- The Big Story
Digging into Canada’s plan to meet NATO’s 2% target
The Carney government has announced a plan to massively increase Canada’s defense budget. The plan will see Canada meet NATO’s 2% of GDP spending target by the…
- The Big Story
Weekend listen: How to balance social media and your mental health
On this weekend listen, we're re-visiting a story from March about a topic that just won't go away - how much social media is too much? Research out of the…
The Big StoryWill it be action or chaos at the G7 in Kananaskis?
On Sunday, world leaders of some of the top democratic economies in the world will gather in Alberta for the G7 summit, to discuss everything from the war in…
- The Big Story
What happened on Air India Flight 171?
It is one of the worst airline disasters in decades in India. On Thursday, an Air India passenger plane bound for London, England, crashed minutes after…
- The Big Story
Experts say there are implications for Canadians from Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill"
Today's Big Story is about the economy and the potential impact to Canada from Trump's so-called "Big Beautiful Bill". The bill could potentially have…
The Big StoryThe fallout from Elon Musk and Donald Trump's fractured friendship
The biggest break-up of 2025 is already in the books. After less than a year – the very public bromance between the U.S. president and the world’s richest man…
- The Big Story
The controversial new Ontario law that may spark blockades and protests this summer
There's an uproar in Ontario about a just passed law that the government claims will speed up critical infrastructure and resource projects. However, critics…
- The Big Story
Born Into It: The Sibling Effect and the Making of High Achievers
It's an age old question - how do you ensure your kids grow up to be successful? A new book by an award-winning New York Times journalist tries to answer it…
- The Big Story
ICYMI: Understanding the measles outbreak and what’s truly at stake
We are revisiting this episode of The Big Story from March, as we learned this week, an infant died this week in Southwestern Ontario, who was born premature…
- The Big Story
Interest rates weren't cut this week. Why? It's complicated.
Interest rates weren't cut this week. Why? Well, it's complicated. The Bank of Canada didn't give borrowers a break when it set policy on Wednesday, as Tiff…
The Big StoryWhat happened to the Sullivan kids in Nova Scotia?
It's a mystery in Nova Scotia that's gained attention across the country. This week marked one month since the disappearance of 6 year old Lilly Sullivan and…
- The Big Story
Behind the scenes of this week's First Ministers' meeting from someone who's been at the table
Prime Minister Mark Carney held his first meeting with Premiers since the election and by most accounts it was a big success, with Ontario’s Doug Ford claiming…
- The Big Story
What does Ukraine’s largest-ever drone attack tell us about the war?
Ukraine has shocked the world by carrying out a daring attack on Russian bomber planes thousands of kilometres inside enemy territory. It’s a feat that would…
- The Big Story
Youth sport culture: the good, the bad and the toxic
We’ve all seen it: the coach constantly yelling at their team, the parent trying to coach on the sidelines…and the kid in the middle of it all. Youth sports…
The Big StoryDoes Canada still need the monarchy?
A whirlwind trip for King Charles, in his first visit to Canada as a sitting monarch, is being viewed by some as a success. It was a show of support amid…
- The Big Story
The Power Pause: how a career detour can have major impact
For years, we’ve been programmed to view hustle culture as the norm, and one’s ability to navigate it as the definition of success. Throw parenthood into the…
- The Big Story
How effective was the throne speech in advance of Carney's first question period?
For just the third time in our country’s history, a sitting monarch delivered the speech from the throne. On a brief royal visit, King Charles addressed…
The Big StoryWhy spring allergies feel worse this year
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, and you’ve noticed things are getting worse – you’re not imagining it. Scientists say things have gotten worse around…
- The Big Story
Can the shingles vaccine actually lower the risk of dementia?
A new study out of the Stanford University School of Medicine showed that older adults who received the shingles vaccine were 20% less likely to develop…
- The Big Story
Buying a Cottage? In This Economy!?
The pandemic was a boom time in the cottage industry. As people decamped out of the city, the prices for cottages skyrocketed. However, in this softened real…
- The Big Story
The Big Debrief: Will the Leafs ever win another Stanley Cup?
A deep run into the second round of the playoffs once again ended in game 7 heartbreak for Toronto Maple Leafs fans. Big Story hosts Cormac Mac Sweeney…
- The Big Story
Cory Doctorow explains Who Broke the Internet
It used to be a place to find what you need and when you want it...but now, the internet has transcended into a playground of ads, cookies and algorithms. But…
- The Big Story
The Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial explained
Without skipping a beat, Sean 'Diddy' Combs pleaded not guilty to the five federal charges he was hit with in September of 2024. However, the evidence that…
- The Big Story
Another Canada Post strike - what will the impact to businesses be?
The union representing Canada’s postal workers has served strike notice to Canada Post, meaning 55-thousand employees at the crown corporation could walk off…
- The Big Story
Breaking down the Hockey Canada sex assault trial so far
A warning to our listeners: this episode includes description and discussion of sexual assault. Please take care. Another stunning development in the sexual…
- The Big Story
Is Canada’s EV dream dead?
After Honda announced it is hitting pause on a $15 billion investment in electric vehicle production in Canada, questions are swirling about three other major…
- The Big Story
Weekend listen: No federal budget until the fall - what does that mean for you?
A big week on the budget front, for multiple reasons. Not only did Ontario release a budget that aims to get the province through the trade war, we learned…
- The Big Story
The Big Debrief: Reaction to PM Carney's choice of cabinet
Today on The Big Story - we're debriefing, big time. Hosts David Smith, Kris McCusker and Cormac Mac Sweeney get together to chat about Prime Minister Carney's…
- The Big Story
Digging into flight safety after serious concerns are raised about Newark Airport
It’s been a rough few weeks at the airport in New Jersey after two radar and radio outages - but there’s a lot more to the story. The acting administrator with…
- The Big Story
The ethical issues around "Trump coin" and the overall impact on crypto
Has the White House gone completely "pay for play"? While experts debate the ethics of U.S. President Donald Trump's latest actions including accepting a plane…
- The Big Story
How to keep your job during a trade war
Canada's unemployment rate remained relatively stable for the month of April, sitting at 6.9%. But the rate for youth unemployment jumped to its highest figure…
- The Big Story
Is "plastic rain" the new acid rain?
You can’t always see it but plastic is everywhere. So much so – that it’s now in our rain and it’s there because of humans. It’s almost as worrisome as acid…
- The Big Story
PM Carney's next challenge: who's in and who's out of cabinet
Tomorrow Prime Minister Mark Carney will be unveiling his first cabinet since receiving a minority mandate from voters 2 weeks ago. The decisions will not be…
- The Big Story
Encore: The power of punctuality and what it says about you
Punctuality – its definition and importance really depend on who you speak to. A recent study out of the UK shows a generational divide when it comes to…
The Big StoryPope Leo XIV: who he is, why he was chosen, and his path forward for the Catholic church
“Peace be with you”. Those were the first words spoken from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to the massive crowd below by the newly chosen pontiff, now…
- The Big Story
Carney vs. Trump - what's next?
Prime Minister Mark Carney has made his first trip to the White House to meet President Donald Trump, with Trump heaping praise on Carney. But the meeting…
- The Big Story
Is 'Hollywood North' about to take its final bow?
Is Hollywood North in jeopardy, based on a social media post by U.S. President Donald Trump? After musing about hitting foreign film production with a 100%…
- The Big Story
Mr. Carney goes to Washington
Today, Prime Minister Mark Carney will make his first trip to the White House to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump. Tariffs, the economy, and military…
- The Big Story
What happens next with Pierre Poilievre, a week after losing the election and his own seat
After a stunning election loss in which Pierre Poilievre couldn’t hold on to his own seat in Parliament, what comes next for the federal Conservatives? Will…
- The Big Story
Post-election, digging into whether or not our economy will fall into recession
We're dropping a timely episode of In This Economy into the weekend feed. We now have clarity now on Canada's new government, but predictions about the state…
- The Big Story
Why the sky high price of groceries may be starting to stabilize
Canadians could be in for a break at the grocery store for the next couple of months. After food inflation ticked higher in March, a food economist is…
The Big StoryTragedy at the Lapu-Lapu day festival in Vancouver: What we know and the questions being raised
Warning: this episode may be triggering for some listeners. Friday has been declared a day of mourning in British Columbia for the victims of the Lapu-Lapu Day…
- The Big Story
What the heck happened with Pierre Poilievre and Jagmeet Singh?
The Liberal minority government is now officially set. What's also now official is the deep dive into what went wrong into the campaigns of Pierre Poilievre…
- The Big Story
The dramatic twists and storylines in Canada's 45th election as the new Liberal mandate begins
In what's been a very upside down election campaign - the results were just as wild. At time of writing at 2:30am, it's a Liberal minority government…
- The Big Story
Canada Votes 2025: a look back at the campaign and the potential outcomes for tonight
After 36 days, it all comes down to this. Canada is voting for his next leader and all eyes are on the Liberals and Conservatives with a neck and neck race. It…
- The Big Story
Quick listen: The latest predictions for the economy and small businesses in this very challenging year
Owning a small or medium sized business is never easy, and this year, it's been even more challenging. The small business sector is the country's largest…
- The Big Story
Weekend listen: The shocking pipeline to the "red pill" manosphere
In today’s episode of Bite Back with Abbey Sharp, I will be talking to Dr Emily Contois, an Associate Professor at the University of Tulsa specializing in how…