The Big Story

Frequency Podcast Network

4.1 (2K)
DAILY NEWS
UPDATED DAILY

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

2 DAYS AGO

Why Canada needs national licensing for doctors

Doctors in Canada can’t move between provinces to practice medicine without going through cumbersome licensing requirements and a sea of government red tape. It’s one of the many inter-provincial trade barriers in focus because of the threat of US tariffs. The Canadian Medical Association says it's time to do away with this antiquated way of licensing doctors and make it one national system that covers all provinces and territories. Host David Smith speaks with Dr. Joss Reimer, President of the Canadian Medical Association.

19 min
3 DAYS AGO

Digging into the final stretch of the Liberal leadership race

The four candidates in the Liberal leadership race are on the last leg of the campaign after going head to head in French and English debates earlier this week. The March 9th leadership date is fast approaching. It comes as the country sees a dramatic shift in voter support, with the Liberals vaulting ahead of the Conservatives for the first time in years. So did the debate move the needle of support, what are the candidates doing in these final days of the campaign, and will this surge in Liberal support last? To answer those questions, host Cormac Mac Sweeney is joined by Dan Arnold, Chief Strategy Officer at Pollara, and formerly a pollster for the prime minister and head of research and advertising at the PMO.

22 min
4 DAYS AGO

Countdown to tariffs: how much is it going to cost you?

It’s less than a week to go before U.S. President Donald Trump has promised to put a 25% tariff on all Canadian goods. After that happens, the Government of Canada will respond with tariffs of our own, and everything on which those tariffs apply will get more expensive. The fears are very real. There are concerns Canada will enter a recession, that the Canadian dollar will take a hit, and that hundreds of thousands of jobs could be on the line. Host David Smith speaks with University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe about what it could mean for you and for the economy.

20 min
5 DAYS AGO

How B.C. got safer supply wrong

The Government of British Columbia is overhauling its safer supply drug policy so that drug users will have to take their prescription opioids under the supervision of a pharmacist or health provider. The change comes after public outcry over mounting evidence of “diversion”, the practice of selling or trading government-provided drugs on the black market. This is the latest move from the David Eby government to backtrack on its drug policies, which have come under heavy scrutiny and political attack as overdose deaths continue to increase. Host David Smith speaks with Simon Fraser University addictions expert, Dr. Julian Somers, about what B.C. got wrong and whether safer supply programs have a future in Canada.

27 min
6 DAYS AGO

Canada is finally getting a high speed rail line

Canada is the only G-7 nation without a high speed rail line, but that might be about to change. Our federal government has unveiled plans for an ambitious project, which would link Toronto and Quebec City. But will it happen? Host Kris McCusker speaks to Lavagnon Ika, Professor of Project Management at the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa, about the potential challenges and the likelihood the project gets done.

15 min
FEB 23

How to find the money to make an RRSP contribution

You want to save for your retirement - but where do you find the money? Head's up - the RRSP deadline is coming up on March 3, 2025. Host Mike Eppel is talking to an expert on why it's imperative to start saving for your retirement and how to make it less stressful.

12 min
FEB 21

Why Trump turned on Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump has a plan to end the war in Ukraine. It's basically, cut off support, and capitulate to Vladimir Putin. It has been three years since Russia’s illegal invasion. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have died defending their country. This week, the Trump administration cancelled future aid for Ukraine and set up peace talks with Russia that excluded Ukrainian officials. Host David Smith speaks with Russia expert Marcus Kolga about what will happen next at this critical juncture in the conflict.

28 min
FEB 20

A fear of flying goes much deeper than you think

The videos and images of recent airplane crashes are hard to shake. For some, it has ignited a fear of flying – but is it warranted? The statistics say one thing, but our minds say another. So what can we do? Host Melanie Ng speaks with Dr. Ian Shulman, Psychologist and Clinical Director at Shift Cognitive Therapy - where even her subconscious kicks in, making an error right at the beginning of the episode, contrary to her notes! You can learn more about Dr. Shulman at https://shiftct.com/.

19 min

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4.1

out of 5

1,968 Ratings

New Changes Hurt the Show

4 days ago

2bisabelle

Since Jordan Heath-Rawlings departure from the show, it’s value has plummeted. The episodes feel stale and inconsequential. The new hosts don’t appear to be very critical about issues when speaking with guests. It has gone from something I listened to daily to something I now frequently skip over without pause. At a time when supporting Canadian content and media is increasingly important, Roger’s has decided to part ways with some of their most valuable content creators and journalists. Looking forward to whatever project Heath-Rawlings does next (hopefully another podcast).
jordan

4 days ago

cablesaur

stopped listening ever since jordan left.
Where’s Jordan and the team?

Feb 12

GansoGooseGans

Not a fan of the switch up, definitely a shift in feel. Definitely a loss that’s felt more here in canada with only so many choices that we have here…
Your bias is showing

4 days ago

RebeccaSaw

Safer supply episode very one-sided - do better!