The Big Story
@thebigstory
An in-depth look at the issues, culture and personalities shaping Canada today.
#Toronto was ranked as having the worst air quality in the world. Which begs the question: was there a way to prevent it from getting this bad? @loridanielsubc.bsky.social from UBC’s Forestry and Environment faculty explains how we got here and how we can prepare better in the future lnk.to/bigstory
Will the 'explosive' diarrhea outbreak reach Canada? Cyclospora is the parasite responsible for the outbreak in the #US. Food microbiology professor Keith Warriner of @uofguelph.bsky.social joins today's episode to explain what #cyclospora is and whether Canadians should be concerned lnk.to/bigstory
Is the #US seriously considering a ground invasion into #Iran? As the war drags into its 5th month, #Trump hasn’t ruled out putting boots on the ground. Journalist @atrupar.com speaks on how Americans are feeling about the administration’s handling of the conflict thus far lnk.to/bigstory
Why is #Trump stuck in a war with #Iran? Independent journalist Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com joins us today on The Big Story to discuss latest on the conflict in the Middle East and what Trump’s exit strategies could be. Listen here lnk.to/bigstory
On today's episode host Caryn Ceolin speaks to @atrupar.com of the Public Notice newsletter, to bring us up to speed where the #US - #Israel - Iran war stands, #Trump's long-game, and how #Iran could leverage the war for decades to come lnk.to/bigstory
#Canada has sharply reduced the number of international student and temporary foreign worker visas issued to #newcomers. Immigration law professor Sharry Aiken from Queens University joins us break down why the IRCC is making these changes lnk.to/bigstory
Does Canada need a relationship with Saudi Arabia? @snolke.bsky.social, former Global Affairs Canada foreign service officer, joins us to discuss what #Canada gains from ties with the Gulf nation and where we may be missing the mark lnk.to/bigstory
PM Mark Carney announced a $100-billion contract to replace Canada's #submarine fleet will be awarded to #Germany and #Norway, signaling who #Canada is eyeing to create trade relations with. @davidpugliese.bsky.social helps us break this all down lnk.to/bigstory
Why is Mark Carney putting a #Conservative in the senate? The Prime Minister has made his first Senate appointments - including a sitting Conservative MP and his former Principal Secretary. @hilltimes.com Eleanor Wand joins us to explain why this move is so significant lnk.to/bigstory
Bill C-22 has sparked controversy over its potential impact on privacy and the speed at which it's being pushed toward approval. @kate-ro.bsky.social joins us to discuss what Ottawa's Lawful Access Act could mean for your data and privacy lnk.to/bigstory
Prediction markets let users bet on anything from what politicians say to sports results. Now Wealthsimple is introducing it to #Canada in limited capacity. We speak to @elliotgugalde.bsky.social about the risks of prediction markets and how they can be regulated lnk.to/bigstory
#Ticks are a growing problem, with a wave coming from the US this summer. Justin Wood, founder of Canada’s first private tick‑testing lab, explains why this is happening and how to protect yourself: lnk.to/bigstory
What’s driving extreme heat around the world?🥵☀️Today we talk with @citynewstoronto.bsky.social Chief Meteorologist Natasha Ramsahai about why temperatures are surging, how it will affect you, and whether anything can be done to slow it: lnk.to/bigstory
Crumbling. Rat infested. Unsafe for habitation. 24 Sussex Drive, the official residence of Canada's leader has been called it all. No Prime Minister has lived in there for a decade. Now Prime Minister #Carney wants to change that. Paul Deegan, CEO of Deegan Public Strategies joins us lnk.to/bigstory
A string of shootings in the Greater #Toronto Area are being linked to gun‑for‑hire networks recruiting vulnerable teens through encrypted apps. @uwaterloo.ca Dr. Adam Ellis joins us to discuss how the government can respond and how youth get pulled into organized crime: lnk.to/bigstory
PM Mark Carney called the recent #US-Iran deal a 'game changer' that made the war across the Middle East 'worth it'. However it's still unclear between the two parties who holds the power and who should watch their back. Aurel Braun of @uoft-poli-sci.bsky.social joins us to discuss lnk.to/bigstory
Have you ever asked the internet or #AI for #medical advice? A recent survey found that 97% of doctors had to either step in or address consequences after patients followed online forum or AI advice. McGill's @mhzawati.bsky.social joins us to discuss lnk.to/bigstory
#Canada is considering banning social media for those under 16. Bill C‑34, the Safe Social Media Act, would require platforms to prove they’re keeping kids safe online, or get banned. Today we’re joined by Unplugged Canada founder Jenny Perez: lnk.to/bigstory
The @reutersinstitute.bsky.social Digital News Report shows trust and engagement in legacy #media keeps falling, with 45% of #Canadians saying they now avoid news, as creators and #AI dominate feeds. Co‑author of the report Craig T. Robertson joins today’s episode: lnk.to/bigstory
#Ontario Premier Doug Ford has sent MPPs on an extended summer break, saying he'd rather they be in their communities than "arguing with each other" at Queen's Park. But is that the whole story? 680 NewsRadio's Richard Southern joins us to unpack what else may be behind the move: lnk.to/bigstory
Will Ottawa's $3 billion food security strategy actually make groceries more affordable? We asked Pascal Thériault, agricultural economist and Director of McGill's Farm Management & Technology Program. Listen here: lnk.to/bigstory
6 provinces and 1 territory have held or will be holding municipal elections. A level of government that gets the least amount of engagement from Canadians, yet often affects our daily lives the most. #Onpoli co-host @jm-mcgrath.bsky.social joins us lnk.to/bigstory
#fifa World Cup 2026 is underway and politics are already shaping the tournament. From #Somali referee Omar Artan denied #US entry to US restrictions on Iran’s team. Guest host Sportsnet’s Devang Desai is joined by @soccerwisehq.bsky.social David Gass on today’s episode lnk.to/bigstory
#Drones have been one of #Ukraine's key weapons in the Ukraine-Russia war, helping bring the war that started back in 2022 to a stalemate. UofOttawa's chair of Ukrainian studies @darelasn.bsky.social joins us to discuss this and if the country can force Putin into a peace deal lnk.to/bigstory
The Federal #Conservatives head into summer recess amidst MP floor crossings, reports of infighting, and Poilievre’s calls for unity among #Alberta separatists. CityNews political correspondent @glenmcgregor.bsky.social joins us to discuss what's dividing the Conservatives lnk.to/bigstory
Louise Arbour, a former lawyer, Supreme Court Justice and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, is Canada's new Governor General. Her introduction comes at a nuanced time for #Canada global identity. @utoronto.ca poli sci professor Nelson Wiseman joins us to discuss this lnk.to/bigstory