The Big Story

Frequency Podcast Network

An in-depth look at the issues, culture and personalities shaping Canada today.

  • 23 minutes 34 seconds
    Is it time for Canada to toughen up its social media laws for youth?

    A jury in Los Angeles found that media giants Meta and YouTube were liable for designing their apps in a way that hooked young users in an addictive manner. It came right after a similar ruling in New Mexico, which found Meta is harming children's mental health and safety.

    Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Arturo Bejar, a former security executive at Meta who turned into a whistleblower after his very own daughter was subjected to sexual online harassment. The two discuss whether or not these media giants are following through with their commitment to protect children, and what this case could mean for the dozens across North America.

    We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:

    Through email at [email protected] 

    Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

    6 April 2026, 8:00 am
  • 19 minutes 45 seconds
    Weekend Listen: Q1 Recap: Market swings, mayhem and Trump

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

    It's been a chaotic Q1 to say the least.

    Between all the Truth Social posts from US President Trump and his geopolitical stunts across the world - the markets have taken a hit. It's led to big slumps from record highs for tech stocks, and the run-up to record highs for the energy sector.

    Host Mike Eppel speaks to Colin White, CEO & portfolio manager, and Josh Sheluk, CIO & portfolio manager at Verecan Capital Management for a recap of the Canadian economy throughout Q1.

    We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:

    Through email at [email protected] 

    Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

    4 April 2026, 8:00 am
  • 25 minutes 20 seconds
    What is functional health and why is it declining for Canadians?

    A recent report from Statistics Canada found that Canadians' functional health is on the decline, especially so for younger folks.

    Functional health has to do with our ability to perform everyday bodily functions - like see, hear, move, and feel. And according to the report, the decline in functional health is directly related to a lack of emotional health among younger Canadians.

    Host Catherine Jette speaks to Dr. Louis Hugo Francescutti, a physician and professor at the School of Public Health in Alberta to break down the study's findings, what Canadians can do on their own to improve their functional health, and how big of an alarm bell this should raise to Ottawa.

    We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:

    Through email at [email protected] 

    Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

    3 April 2026, 8:00 am
  • 6 minutes 44 seconds
    Big Headlines: Mission to the moon continues after a toilet problem and Trump's primetime speech
    Plus: World leaders meet to discuss the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Deloitte's spring economic outlook, Poilievre makes an announcement, and does Canada need to rethink its Emergencies Act? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky
    2 April 2026, 3:05 pm
  • 26 minutes 49 seconds
    Does Canada need to rethink its Emergencies Act?

    It was a moment in Canadian history that the former Federal Government believed was due for sweeping powers. More than four years and two rounds of court reviews later, enacting the Emergencies Act maybe wasn't the right choice.

    Or if it was, Ottawa wasn't sufficient at proving why at the time.

    Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Paul Daly, Chair in Administrative Law and Governance at the University of Ottawa, to discuss the threshold the courts believe Ottawa missed back in 2022, why the new Liberal government is still fighting for the Trudeau era, and whether or not Canada is due for a revamp of the Emergencies Act.

    We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:

    Through email at [email protected] 

    Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

    2 April 2026, 8:00 am
  • 6 minutes 23 seconds
    Big Headlines: NASA's mission to the moon has a Canadian astronaut on board and Trump has an update on Iran coming up
    Plus: Trump's primetime address, rising cost of gas, pay-hike for federal workers, Stephen Lewis has died, and Canada is torn over the notwithstanding clause. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky
    1 April 2026, 3:11 pm
  • 26 minutes 8 seconds
    Canada is torn over the notwithstanding clause

    Quebec's secularism law, Bill 21, prohibits certain public servants from wearing religious symbols while on the job. It was passed in 2019 with a pre-emptive use of the notwithstanding law - a section of the Charter that protects legislation from court intervention if the legislation goes against other freedoms.

    Last week, the Supreme Court heard arguments on how provinces should apply the notwithstanding clause, and whether or not its application should be subject to review after the fact.

    Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to journalist Max Fawcett to discuss the historical context of the clause, what legal challenges come with Bill 21, and potential outcomes from the Supreme Court's decision.

    We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:

    Through email at [email protected] 

    Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

    1 April 2026, 8:00 am
  • 7 minutes 9 seconds
    Big Headlines: Stats Canada has released the January GDP update and Canada Post is ending door-to-door service
    Plus: Day 32 of the war in Iran, a royal visit to the U.S., mail delivery changes coming, the colorectal cancer screening age lowers for one province, and has Ontario lost its way with colleges? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky
    31 March 2026, 3:09 pm
  • 24 minutes 23 seconds
    Has Ontario lost its way with colleges?

    Decades ago, Ontario's colleges operated with a goal of improving local economies and regional communities. Now, Premier Doug Ford claims if you're not in a highly-skilled field, the baskets you're looking to weave are no where to be found.

    With cuts to OSAP on the provincial level, and caps to student visas on the federal level, the mission of our colleges have seemed to have shifted towards keeping the lights on with as little investment as possible.

    Host Maria Kestane speaks to Dr. Emilda Thavaratnam, an educator at Centennial College. She authored an article called 'Ontario’s colleges were founded to serve local and regional needs — have we forgotten that?'. The two discuss how the college system's ethos has shifted from locally-driven to profit-yielding, and how the province's most vulnerable are falling between the cracks.

    We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:

    Through email at [email protected] 

    Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

    31 March 2026, 8:00 am
  • 7 minutes 5 seconds
    Big Headlines: Air Canada CEO to resign and the federal NDP have a new leader
    Plus: Avi Lewis is the new federal NDP leader, the war in Iran enters its 5th week, TSA agents in the U.S. may get paid for the first time in weeks, and a NASA mission is ready to go. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky
    30 March 2026, 3:06 pm
  • 26 minutes 47 seconds
    Avi Lewis' uphill battle of regrouping the NDP

    After leading the party to it's worst ever result, Jagmeet Singh resigned as NDP leader.

    Now, nearly one year after the election that reduced the party to just six seats, New Democrats have elected the leader who will have the daunting task of rebuilding and rebranding.

    Host Caryn Ceolin speaks with former Hamilton Centre NDP MP Matthew Green, who was one of many NDP politicians who lost their seats in 2025, about where the new leader wants to take the party, and what they need to do win back the hearts and minds of Canadians.

    We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:

    Through email at [email protected] 

    Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

    30 March 2026, 8:00 am
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