The Really Big Show with Jim Csek &Iain Burns

Jim Csek
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The Really Big Show is a Canadian news hour done differently. We discuss the news of the day through a Canadian lens with analysis and commentary from Jim Csek & managing editor Iain Burns. We translate the rhetoric into reality with common sense on the news that affects Canada, BC and our region. We are live five days a week around 9 am PST. Recorded sessions available on Youtube, X and many podcast channels. https://thereallybigshow.ca

  1. 4H AGO

    ZERO: Canada’s integrity-free elite

    Today’s episode of The Really Big Show, Jim Csek and Iain Burns take a hard look at what many Canadians are starting to feel but few in power seem willing to acknowledge: a growing crisis of integrity in Canadian politics.With another MP, Marilyn Gladu, crossing the floor to join the Liberals, now the fifth defection this Parliament, the conversation zeroes in on what this means for democracy, accountability, and whether politicians are still bound by the promises they make to voters.Jim and Iain break down the contradiction between Gladu’s past positions and her current stance, including her previous support for by-elections for floor crossers, raising a broader question about whether principles still matter in public life.Beyond the political drama, the episode dives into the latest economic data, with unemployment holding at 6.7% nationally, but rising sharply in British Columbia, alongside job losses in key sectors like finance and real estate. At the same time, Canadians continue to feel the pressure at the pump, with new polling showing strong support for fuel tax cuts as global tensions drive energy prices higher.The discussion also explores deeper structural concerns, from failed government programs like Nutrition North, to financial mismanagement in foreign affairs, to growing frustration within Canada’s energy sector over regulatory delays and carbon tax policies. Meanwhile, questions around property rights, Indigenous land claims, and public sector accountability add further complexity to an already strained national conversation.Internationally, rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, surging fuel prices, and protests abroad over energy costs highlight how interconnected Canada’s challenges are with global events.Through it all, Jim and Iain return to a central theme: when trust in leadership begins to erode, the consequences ripple across every issue, from the economy to governance to national unity.If Canadians are being asked to trust leaders who appear to abandon their own principles, what happens to the foundation of democracy itself?

    2h 3m

  2. 1D AGO

    Is Canada ‘cooked’?

    In today’s episode of The Really Big Show, Jim and Iain reiterate Elon Musk’s sobering assessment: “Canada is cooked.” Following the major political earthquake of former Conservative leadership candidate Marilyn Gladu crossing the floor to join the Liberals, marking the largest mass defection to a governing party since 1917. The discussion examines what this move means for voter trust, democratic integrity, and whether floor-crossing undermines the mandate voters gave in the last election.The show covers a wide range of pressing issues, including growing public skepticism over Gladu’s switch given her past criticism of marijuana legalization, the trucker convoy, and vaccine mandates, as well as resurfaced videos in which she blamed Mark Carney for Canada’s economic troubles. The episode also dives into the government’s third attempt in five years to regulate legal internet content, the failure of Bills C-36 and C-63 (described by Margaret Atwood as “Orwellian”), and the upcoming April 13 byelections where the Bloc Québécois is urging voters to block a Liberal majority.Additional topics include Alberta’s upcoming independence referendum on October 19 after a petition reached the required signatures, record support for Alberta separatism, criticism of the $90-billion Toronto-Quebec City high-speed rail project linked to Finance Minister Champagne’s wife’s role at Alto Corp, the global energy crisis triggered by events in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump’s comments on NATO, and economists calling for gas tax cuts to help Canadians at the pump — a step already taken by countries like Australia, Spain, Ireland, Portugal, Italy, and Norway.To top it off the daycare promise made by the Liberal government is falling far short (only 122,000 of 250,000 spaces delivered) and the Ethics Commissioner is censuring a senior deputy minister for cronyism.What do you think about Marilyn Gladu crossing the floor and what it says about democracy and voter trust in Canada? Let us know in the comments.The Really Big Show: The thinking Canadian's daily briefing, independent and informed.Live every weekday at 9AM PST. Now streaming on Rumble, Spotify, Apple and more.Find out more here www.thereallybigshow.caWe tell real Canadian stories, the ones you won't hear in the mainstream.Become a member and support independent media.Help us spread the word — subscribe, share, comment.NowMedia: free from political influence. Committed to the truth.

    1h 36m

  3. 2D AGO

    Are we living in an alternate universe in Canada? | With Catherine Swift

    Support the Really Big Show. We’re building independent Canadian media into a powerful voice and we can’t do it without you. Contribute here: https://thereallybigshow.ca We tell real Canadian stories the mainstream won’t. Become a member and be part of it. Subscribe, share, and comment to help us grow. Live every weekday at 9AM PST

    51 min

  4. 2D AGO

    RIP Canadian democracy: Liberals get their majority as another Tory defects

    Today’s episode of The Really Big Show with Jim Csek and Iain Burns takes a hard look at what many are now calling a breaking point for Canadian democracy, as another Conservative MP crosses the floor and helps deliver a working majority to the Liberals.With Marilyn Gladu becoming the latest MP to switch sides, and now the fifth overall this Parliament, Jim and Iain unpack what this means for voter trust, democratic accountability, and whether Canadians are effectively being governed by a majority they never voted for.The conversation also dives into growing concerns around conflicts of interest at the highest levels of government. From Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne’s connection to a $90-billion high-speed rail project through his wife’s role at Alto Corp, to questions surrounding Prime Minister Mark Carney and cabinet ministers with ties to firms receiving federal contracts, the episode explores whether ethical guardrails are being tested or ignored altogether.Beyond Ottawa, global tensions continue to shape the economic outlook. A two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States offers temporary relief, but uncertainty remains around global oil markets and trade. At the same time, CUSMA negotiations appear to be stalling, raising new questions about Canada’s economic position and long-term trade stability.Jim and Iain also break down Canada’s worsening housing affordability crisis, with new data showing a widening gap between existing homeowners and new buyers, particularly among young families and immigrants. Add in rising whistleblower complaints, unanswered questions around forced labour tied to Chinese companies, and continued silence from key officials, and the picture becomes even more concerning.The episode also touches on energy opportunity in Western Canada, the ongoing opioid crisis in British Columbia, and the growing debate around expanding MAID to include mental illness.This is a wide-ranging and candid conversation about the state of Canada’s institutions, economy, and future direction.Do you think Canadians are still in control of their democracy?Let us know in the comments.

    1h 49m

  5. 3D AGO

    Will Canada be able to save itself from what it has become?

    Today’s episode of The Really Big Show with Jim Csek and Iain Burns takes a hard look at what is increasingly feeling like a breaking point for Canada’s economy, as global instability and domestic policy pressures collide.With tensions escalating in the Middle East following a reported U.S. strike on Iran’s key oil export facility and warnings about the Strait of Hormuz, the ripple effects are already being felt worldwide. Oil markets are tightening, Asian nations are scrambling for supply, and Canadians are once again bracing for higher fuel and food costs.Jim and Iain break down what this means for Canada and where the economic picture continues to deteriorate. Manufacturing is contracting, unemployment has climbed to 6.7% after significant job losses, and Canada now leads the G7 in food inflation. At the same time, food bank usage has surged to 2.2 million people per month, highlighting the growing strain on households.The conversation also explores policy decisions at home, including a 16% increase to the industrial carbon tax, new federal spending programs, and the role of focus groups in shaping major housing initiatives. Questions are raised about whether these approaches are addressing the root problems or adding to the pressure.Beyond the numbers, the episode looks at deeper structural issues, including rising personal debt, and warning signs from British Columbia, where another credit downgrade has sparked concern about long-term fiscal stability.This is a wide-ranging and candid discussion about where Canada stands today and where it may be headed if current trends continue.Are you optimistic about Canada’s economic future?

    1h 40m

  6. 3D AGO

    Former MP Tracy Gray on CUSMA, Carney, Tory defectors and her future

    Jim Csek and Iain Burns sit down with Tracy Gray, former Member of Parliament for Kelowna–Lake Country, former Conservative Shadow Minister for Export Promotion and International Trade, and founder of TG Strategy, for a wide-ranging discussion on Canada’s economic, political, and trade challenges.The conversation covers everything from the upcoming CUSMA (USMCA) review and Canada’s lack of transparency in negotiations, to the ongoing impact of interprovincial trade barriers that continue to cost the Canadian economy billions each year. Tracy shares firsthand insight into how bureaucracy, regulation, and lack of federal leadership are holding back Canadian businesses and limiting economic growth.The interview also dives into rising concerns around jobs, investment leaving Canada, and youth unemployment reaching levels not seen in decades. Tracy explains how taxation, red tape, and policy uncertainty are driving businesses to the United States, while Canada struggles with declining productivity and competitiveness.Beyond economics, the discussion explores public safety, crime, and accountability in government, including concerns about transparency, access to information, and the changing media landscape. Tracy also reflects on her work in Parliament, including policies on intimate partner violence and addiction recovery, and shares her perspective on the direction of the country under the current government.Throughout the interview, one theme remains clear: Canada has enormous potential, but unlocking it will require leadership, coordination, and a willingness to remove barriers that are holding the country back.Is Canada on the right path or are we falling behind at a time when leadership matters most?

    47 min

  7. 4D AGO

    Interprovincial trade barriers and taxes are strangling Canada's economy

    **Carney: Tear Down These Interprovincial Trade Barriers**In this segment, we dive into one of the most overlooked issues holding back Canada’s economy: interprovincial trade barriers.Ron Kubek, owner of Lightning Rock Winery, joins the show to break down the real-world impact of government policies that make it easier to sell Canadian products internationally than within Canada itself. From excessive taxation and regulatory hurdles to outdated systems that prevent simple tax remittance, this conversation exposes the frustration many small business owners face across the country.We also explore:* Why Canadian businesses are turning to U.S. markets* The hidden costs of provincial liquor monopolies* How government policy is affecting investment, jobs, and growth* The broader implications for Canada’s economy, workforce, and future competitivenessThis is a conversation about common sense, economic freedom, and what it will take to truly create “one Canadian economy.”

    35 min

  8. 4D AGO

    It’s official: Canada’s economy is a dumpster fire

    Today’s episode of The Really Big Show with Jim Csek and Iain Burns takes a hard look at what many are now calling a breaking point for Canada’s economy.With new polling showing jobs and the economy have overtaken even U.S. tariffs as the top concern for Canadians, the conversation dives into a troubling OECD report warning that Canada is set to lag behind other advanced nations for decades due to weak productivity. From soaring oil prices and rising fuel surcharges to the growing burden on families at the pump and grocery store, the financial pressure is mounting fast.Jim and Iain unpack Canada’s deepening financial ties with China, including a new working group and currency swap agreement that bypasses the U.S. dollar, raising questions about transparency and national priorities. At the same time, political tensions heat up over fuel taxes, high-speed rail spending, and reports of potential MP floor-crossings.The episode also explores the human impact, with food bank usage hitting record levels, housing affordability still out of reach for many, and growing skepticism about government solutions.Are you optimistic about Canada's economic future?Let us know in the comments.The Really Big Show: The thinking Canadian's daily briefing, independent and informed.Live every weekday at 9AM PST.We’re building independent Canadian media into a powerful voice and we can’t do it without you.Contribute here: https://thereallybigshow.caNow streaming on Rumble, Spotify, Apple and more.

    1h 23m
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About

The Really Big Show is a Canadian news hour done differently. We discuss the news of the day through a Canadian lens with analysis and commentary from Jim Csek & managing editor Iain Burns. We translate the rhetoric into reality with common sense on the news that affects Canada, BC and our region. We are live five days a week around 9 am PST. Recorded sessions available on Youtube, X and many podcast channels. https://thereallybigshow.ca

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