Big Headlines: EU drops 'associate member' title for Canada as summit begins in Montreal and no Canada-U.S. trade deal coming with American midterms next week

Few things are spookier than an interest rate hike. Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show "In This Economy?!"The Bank of Canada opted to hike interest rates for the first time in three years  in an effort to help runaway inflation because of high energy prices.There are concerns this could push potential homebuyers to the sidelines and further hurt those looking to renew mortgages, as Canadians grapple with a rising cost-of-living. Throw in geopolitical tensions thanks to the Trump Administration, and we could see a pattern of interest rates in the near future.Host Kris McCusker speaks to Clay Jarvis is a mortgage expert at Ratehub.ca to discuss what changes to make to your monthly budgets, and how homeowners and potential homeowner should approach the next few months. 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: Canada is still reviewing its F-35 purchase even after receiving its first two fighter jets. Federal ministers won't say much about environment and climate change Canada abandoning its work to end thermal coal exports. Businesses are embracing the move to scrap the twice-yearly clock change ritual in some parts of the country. William Shatner, Hugh Jackman, and many more stars are paying tribute to Patrick Stewart with memories of the actor following the news of his death. 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.

Now that Question 10 has been put to rest, what about the other 9? Albertans were asked a range of questions regarding the future of the economy, immigration system, and Canada's constitution. Official results released on Thursday found that voters want changes to what programs and services non-citizens can access, while striking down any changes to the constitution including abolishing the Senate.Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Jared Wesley, political science professor at the University of Alberta to discuss where this leaves Danielle Smith's leverage against Ottawa, how the urban-rural divide showed up in the results, and how the provincial NDP could pull up a seat at the table. 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 says Canada is not yet in a position to reach a trade deal with the U.S., even with the congressional midterms just days away. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly says Ottawa is consulting its lawyers about remarks by the CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs, who suggested he bought Stelco to protect his company's U.S. operations from Canadian competition. The federal spending watch-dog plans to issue nine report cards today. The company that owns MV Odyssey says they've run out of money because of high fuel costs. 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.

Israelis showed up in historic numbers to have their voice heard in Tuesday's National election. It's been more than a day since polls closed, and although official results remain unclear, neither Benjamin Netanyahu or his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, aren't projected to form a majority government. Host Caryn Ceolin welcomes back Aurel Braun, an international relations professor at the University of Toronto to discuss what kind of coalition calculus could be on the horizon, the impact of the Arab vote, and the obstacles in the way of a possible unity government.   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: Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty says First Nations have offered mixed reactions to Ottawa's plan to review the Indian Act, a Ukraine-based animal rescue group says a Canadian volunteer has been killed in a drone attack, in Saskatchewan, Premier Scott Moe's government, in its throne speech, is promising to continue to cut personal income taxes, and five finalists vying to represent Canada at the 2027 Eurovision song contest are making their pitches. 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.

Since US President Trump took office, he vowed the Russian invasion into Ukraine would end within 'minutes'. Almost two years later, and ceasefire talks remain murky. Within recent weeks, true colours have seemed to seep through diplomacy, including a diesel deal between the US and Russia - something Trump frames a way to lower cost of oil for Americans. Not only do Ukrainians have to deal with Russia's growing purse, but also with internet connectivity issues thanks to Starshield's service slowdown. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Arne Kislenko, a history professor at Toronto Metropolitan University to discuss how vulnerable Ukraine is to Trump's personal agenda, and how deadly year six of the war could look like if the US continues to cozy up to Russia. 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: Abu Dhabi's crown prince is in Ottawa for meetings as Canada and the United Arab Emirates work to cement their trade ties, the federal government is set to introduce changes today to Canada's medical assistance in dying law, new municipal governments are ready to get to work in Ontario after municipal elections last night, and a Montreal man and his fugitive racoon are back in the spotlight for a trip to get it vaccinated against rabies. 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.

Elon Musk is spending big this US Midterm election cycle, just like he did during the 2024 presidential election. Although this time, he's more lowkey about it. He isn't one to join President Trump in the Oval Office with his son in tow, or wear a DOGE hat as he prances around the White House. This time, it's quiet donations to the tune of hundreds of millions into Super PACs like Texas PAC or the Senate Leadership Fund. Host Maria Kestane is speaking to Paris Marx, host of the Tech Won't Save Us podcast and author of Hyperscale: The Ambition and Excess of Big Tech’s Data Empires. They discuss Musk's stake in the Texas Senate race and whether he's aware of his political unpopularity.  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: former President Barack Obama took aim at U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods, one of the four soldiers killed in the fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright is being remembered as a dedicated brother and friend, British Columbia's Premier-Designate Lorne Doerkson has a long to-do list as he laid out his priorities just one day after his party was elected with about two-thirds of the province's 93 seats in the legislature, and the Ontario-born voice artist behind Looney Tunes characters Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig, has died - Eric Bauza was 46. 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.