Can Canada actually deliver universal childcare?

Ontario has become the latest province to extend their $10-a-day childcare deal with the federal government. It's a policy that's undoubtably reduced prices for Canadians, but that doesn't mean it's become more accessible. A crisis of affordability has become one of availability, as the number of open spots across the province is far fewer than the demand for them. So, what needs to happen to make Canada's "universal childcare" program actually universal? Host Caryn Ceolin is speaking with Martha Friendly, the Executive Director of the Childcare Resource and Research Unit, about how the system is working, how it's not, and how Canada can better fulfil the promises of its newest large social program.  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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show "In This Economy?!". The drama around Canada-U.S. trade and U.S. President Trump's ramp up in rhetoric might all be connected to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s decision to push back. Many of us are now watching closely and voters south of the border prepare to vote in their midterms, where Canadians are hoping a Democratic congress could put a check on Trump. However, one longtime watcher of Canada-US relations says its not clear if things will change.  Host Kris McCusker speaks to Ron Stagg, Professor Emeritus of history from Toronto Metropolitan University about how things have played out, why it’s unusual, and how the trade war could end up being a good thing. 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: A top official at the Bank of Canada says monetary policymakers are struggling to find new tools and pathways to address persistent housing affordability challenges, the Saskatchewan government and Bell Canada say work is ramping up on the company's mega A.I. data centre outside Regina, Canadian Astronaut Joshua Kutryk is now aboard the International Space Station as a mission specialist on the four-person mission crew. 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Digital cameras, wired headphones, Discmans galore. If you're noticing more and more technological regression in your everyday life, you're not alone. People seem to be opting for less-advanced tools and toys, for the more simple, analogue items.Why? Well, that's what we're trying to figure out.Host Maria Kestane speaks to Ramishah Maruf, writer for CNN Business, as well as Richard Lachman, a professor at the RTA School of Media at Toronto Metropolitan University and author of Digital wisdom: Searching for Agency in the Age of AI. They discuss why people are heading offline and IRL, and whether or not there's a bigger movement behind the trend of digital detoxification.   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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to announce today that an oil pipeline to the west coast will be designated as a project of national interest. Industry Minister Melanie Joly says the government is evaluating all its options after an Ontario steel producer announced hundreds of job cuts this week, members of British Columbia's Tsawwassen first nation lined the road, drummed and chanted as the bodies of two elders were taken away outside a shopping centre south of Vancouver. More details on the Israel-bound passenger jet that was diverted to Saudi Arabia after its co-pilot attacked the captain. 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Another Canadian is heading to space!Alberta-native Joshua Kutryk will be on his way this week for a six-month visit to the International Space Station, alongside three other crew members onboard NASA’s SpaceX Crew 13 mission. They plan on conducting research, maintenance, as well as experiments as they orbit the Earth. Host Catherine Jetté speaks to Major Erin Edwards, NASA Deputy Branch Chief for Crew Operation and ISS CAPCOM instructor. They discuss Kutryk's mission, and Canadian impacts on space exploration and advancement at large.  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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: Several events are being held across Canada as the country remembers its residential school legacy and honours survivors and victims, mid-term elections are right around the corner for the U.S. as Carney says he won't apply new trade pressure right now, more U.S. troops are leaving Iraq, and a new survey finds young Canadians are growing more and more skeptical of democracy in this country. 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As Prime Minister Mark Carney longs for a stronger Canada, his lust for fast-tracking projects signals a threat to meaningful conversation and consultation from Indigenous groups. Earlier this month at his Investment Summit in Toronto, hundreds of protestors across the country gathered in opposition to his pitch for a trillion dollars in exchange for what they feel like is their say in projects. Same goes for the Ontario government's plans for infrastructure surrounding the Ring of Fire, specifically Bill 5.Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Chadwick Cowie, political science professor at the University of Toronto to discuss the Carney government's relationship with First Nations, Inuit and Métis groups, and why pushing their voices to the fringes is more dangerous than not.  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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Vancouver, set to make a major announcement related to the energy industry. Ontario Premier Doug Ford says Albertans need to stay Canadian. Ukrainians who survived Russian captivity are thanking Canada for its advocacy and for funding programs to help children heal from trauma. Canada will mark its 5th National Truth and Reconciliation day on September 30th, a new digital book is exploring how generations of Indigenous artists have responded to the Indian Residential School System and its ongoing legacy. 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Yemen's Houthi rebels have further complicated any chance at restoring global security and trade in the Middle East, after taking control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait and Yemen's Red Sea coastline. They've since attacked numerous Saudi Arabian ships trying to pass through, as well as launched drone attacks into country. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has asked US President Trump for help, but Trump has ruled out US airstrikes, rather offering intelligence and other supports. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Peter Bates, a former Canadian Foreign Service Officer and Fellow with the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, to discuss what the Houthis are after, what Iran has to gain, and whether or not Trump will rethink the US' involvement.  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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.