The Big Five Podcast

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. On today's Big 5: Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist, and former special advisor to Valerie Plante, and Dan Delmar, independent political analyst, media strategist, and co-founder of TNKR Media.• The federal government is under fire for defending record-high immigration targets of nearly 600,000 permanent residents amid rising unemployment and housing shortages.• SPVM officers have filed anonymous ethics complaints against Chief Fady Dagher, accusing him of bias and using the seven recent firings to protect his own job.• A tragic fatal accident involving a 92-year-old driver in Pierrefonds-Roxboro has re-ignited provincial debates over mandatory license re-testing for elderly motorists.• SPVM tickets for unsafe vehicles surged to a record 11,631 as data reveals 40 percent of cars on Quebec roads are now 11 years or older.• Donald Trump faced a highly combative interview on CBS's 60 Minutes, offering a tense preview of his strategy on corruption and immigration.

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. On today's Big 5: Jonathan Kalles, Senior Vice President at Vantage, a Government Relations and Strategic Communications Firm and former advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Christopher Skeete, former CAQ minister. The federal government unveiled a massive 2026 budget containing $142.1 billion in new incentives and spending, drawing sharp criticism from opposition leaders Pierre Poilievre and Avi Lewis. The new federal budget introduced substantial funding expansions for the creative and media sectors, including a new Canada Creation Tax Credit and a $501-million journalism tax credit extension to radio and television. Ottawa's newly announced immigration targets aim to admit up to 580,000 permanent residents, exposing a sharp policy contrast as a new Nanos survey reveals most Canadians want lower intake numbers. The PQ minority government's campaign pledge to extend Bill 101 restrictions to CEGEPs has stalled after all provincial opposition parties united against the measure. Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon faced intense criticism from opposition parties after delaying the opening of the National Assembly's parliamentary session until December 1. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon have settled their location dispute, agreeing to hold their first official face-to-face meeting next week at the Francophonie Summit in Cambodia. Loto-Québec launched ticket sales for major draws at 300 Dollarama locations, sparking immediate pushback from critics who warn it makes gambling far too accessible.

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. On today's Big 5: Sue Smith, Montreal journalist and broadcaster, and Daniel Tran, political analyst and former political advisor in economic development at Montreal City Hall. Montreal shattered weather records by hitting an unseasonably warm 23 degrees, with more record-breaking heat forecasted alongside rainy conditions. An outdoor hockey rink on Bernard Street will remain closed this winter following a surge in nearby encampments, area fights, and the breakdown of a local $300,000 public toilet. A men's club in Côte-Saint-Luc is relocating after refusing city mandates to open its membership to women and seniors in exchange for free office space. A Montreal public health report warns of a hidden crisis as online sports gambling has tripled over eight years, heavily impacting young men aged 18 to 34.

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. On today's Big 5: Akil Alleyne, Reporter and commentator, and Trudie Mason, veteran newscaster at CJAD 800. Democrats secured a major clean sweep in the U.S. midterms, taking control of both the House and Senate, and winning a majority of governorships. The massive Democratic victory raises urgent questions about the future of the ongoing Canada-U.S. trade war. The Montreal police union announced it will challenge the firing of seven officers, arguing the SPVM bypassed due process. The Montreal Canadiens suffered the latest four-goal comeback loss in NHL history, falling 5-4 in overtime to Winnipeg while debuting their controversial new jerseys.

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. On today's Big 5: Victor Henriquez, Public affairs and crisis management specialist at Public Strategy and Conseil, and Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, and columnist for the Montreal Gazette. Seven Montreal police officers were fired over racist misconduct, following SPVM Chief Fady Dagher's warnings of catastrophic evidence. The SPVM plans to double its surveillance by adding 66 cameras and 30 automated license plate readers, raising privacy concerns. Mark Carney and Paul St-Pierre Plamondon are deadlocked over a meeting location, with PSPP strictly demanding it be held in Quebec City. Americans vote today in high-stakes midterms as Donald Trump's approval hits a near-record low of 32%. The NHL is facing backlash over a $699 all-white Montreal Canadiens "Hometown remix" jersey, with fans calling it a blatant cash grab.

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. On today's Big 5: Rudy Husny, political analyst and former advisor in the Harper government, and Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist and former special advisor to Valerie Plante. The PQ hires a Trump supporter: The hiring of Jacinthe-Ève Arel as chief of staff to the minister responsible for government efficiency has sparked intense backlash. Critics from Québec solidaire and the Liberals have called for her cancellation due to her outspoken support for Donald Trump and anti-woke commentary, causing unease even within the PQ. Carney extends olive branch to PSPP: Prime Minister Mark Carney revealed his hopes to meet with Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon within ten days to establish a lasting working relationship. PSPP accepted the invitation via social media on the condition that the meeting takes place in Quebec City, where they will also evaluate the Churchill Falls and Gull Island hydroelectric agreement. Carney and Trump hold trade talks: Prime Minister Mark Carney reported a "good conversation" over the phone with U.S. President Donald Trump, indicating that a trade agreement could be reached in the coming weeks. However, Trump told reporters that part of the deal would involve Canada footing the bill for the entirety of the Keystone XL pipeline project. Quebec businesses expand south: A Journal de Montréal report details how three Quebec green tech and manufacturing firms are investing millions and expanding production in the U.S. instead of Canada. Driven by "Buy American" incentives, low taxes, and tariff pressures, the companies are hiring in states like North Carolina, Illinois, and Ohio while Canadian operations stagnate. Montreal Police Chief warns of "catastrophic" evidence: Montreal Police Chief Fady Dagher warned reporters that impending revelations regarding systemic police misconduct will be "catastrophic." The warning comes after allegations surfaced that a male officer at a Montreal North station deleted video evidence from a domestic violence victim's phone because he recognized the suspect.

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. On today's Big 5: Sue Smith, Montreal journalist and broadcaster, and Dan Delmar, independent political analyst, media strategist, and co-founder of TNKR Media.• European Union officials are in Montreal for a summit, leaving observers divided over whether a proposed closer partnership represents a major geopolitical shift or just a symbolic branding exercise.• Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon boycotted yesterday's major Canada-EU dinner, drawing heavy criticism from Liberal leader Charles Milliard after nearly every other living former premier attended.• Language tension has surfaced at the summit after EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her entire 20-minute opening speech in English, despite being fluent in French.• A potential Montreal Olympics bid is gaining traction after Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden backed Mayor Sorraya Martinez Ferrada's aspirational goals to bring the games back to Canada.• Mayor Sorraya Martinez Ferrada is facing skepticism after giving herself a 7/10 score for her first year in office while promising Montrealers they will not see tangible results on the homelessness crisis until 2027.• A Gatineau family doctor is blasting federal public servants, claiming that over 90 percent of requests for work-from-home medical notes following the new four-day in-person mandate are completely unjustified.

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. On today's Big 5: Caroline Codsi, Founder and Chief Equity Officer at Women in Governance, and Lea Streliski, Best-selling author, comedian, and columnist. Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is officially boycotting the E.U.-Canada summit opening today in Montreal, choosing to send diplomat Pascal Paradis instead after Prime Minister Mark Carney denied his request to deliver an official speech. Negotiations at the summit have shifted as the term "associate membership" is dropped from the table, replaced by a softer diplomatic promise of "ever closer association" between Canada and the European bloc. A family doctor in Gatineau is speaking out against public servants, revealing that over 90 percent of recent requests for work-from-home medical certificates are medically unjustified and take away vital appointment slots from sick children. A political scheme has unraveled in Alaska, where a New York Times report exposes that Democratic operatives intentionally recruited a second candidate named Dan Sullivan to run for U.S. Senate to trigger voter confusion at the ballot box. Montreal Mayor Sorraya Martinez Ferrada is marking her one-year anniversary by walking back inflation-linked tax limits to fund critical infrastructure repairs, while openly teasing a potential future bid to bring the Olympics back to the city.

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. On today's Big 5: Karim Boulos, Political Analyst, and Meeker Guerrier, Commentator at Noovo and RDS. A premier-level crisis has erupted between Quebec and Ottawa ahead of the Canada-EU summit in Montreal, with Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon accusing Prime Minister Mark Carney of refusing him a speaking slot and treating the province like a bystander. Donald Trump injected himself into Canadian politics by congratulating Paul St-Pierre Plamondon on Truth Social and highlighting a headline calling the PQ victory a "blow to Mark Carney." Details of a historic Canada-EU partnership are emerging that EU officials describe as closer to membership than any deal ever done with a non-European country, though Germany and others are pushing back on the "associate membership" branding. The five finalists to represent Canada at Eurovision have been announced, featuring William Cloutier, Rêve, Josiane, Talk, and Tyler Shaw, sparking a public vote and intense debate over the project's $150-million price tag. Quebec may soon scrap seasonal time changes for good as reports indicate the PQ government plans to table a bill for permanent time, following the footsteps of multiple western provinces and territories.

The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform. On today's Big 5: Paul Gott, lead singer of the Ripcordz and journalism professor at Concordia, and Akil Alleyne, reporter, commentator, and manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program. The federal government barred Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon from speaking or hosting events at this week's high-profile Canada-EU summit in Montreal, prompting accusations of political muzzling. The Parti Québécois is looking for legislative loopholes to bypass the Lieutenant-Governor for the National Assembly's opening address, but the opposition Liberals are resisting the move. Montreal is launching a census of semi-permanent wooden cabins and shantytowns springing up in local parks as the fire department issues demolition notices over severe winter safety hazards. A media investigation revealed that potholes repaired by a local social media vigilante are outlasting official city repairs, exposing glaring inefficiencies in municipal road maintenance.