The Big Story

Facial recognition is marketed as convenient, but it seems like the ease comes at a cost. 

Biometric surveillance has become central to security information systems across government agencies including border patrol, policing and immigration. These are instances where choice and consent come at the price of life and liberty.

Host Maria Kestane speaks to Aaron Tucker, author and associate professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland. They discuss who sets the thresholds for obedience, and what happens when data collection is non-negotiable.

Learn more about Aaron's book here: Flexible Faces – Aaron Tucker

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Ottawa is pledging to end homelessness within ten years, and is investing tens of billions of dollars to do so. 

The investment will manifest across several housing and healthcare initiatives, including $2 billion for mental health and addictions infrastructure, a new Centre for Mental Health and Addictions in Winnipeg, as well as renewing the Canada Housing Benefit. 

Besides the investment, the promise requires heavy buy-in from provinces and territories. 

Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Steve Pomeroy, industry professor at McMaster University with the Canadian Housing Evidence Collaborative. The discuss what sets this plan apart from the 2017 Trudeau government commitment to slash homelessness by 50% in ten years, and what else is needed for the pledge to actually meet Canadians where they're at.

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The livelihoods of some 500 Stelco workers are the crux of a recent showdown between Industry Minister Melanie Joly and the CEO of Ohio-based steel producer, Cleveland-Cliffs. 

Joly wants the company to reverse its layoff of Canadian workers, claiming it goes against the original agreement the company signed when they acquired Stelco back in 2024. Cleveland-Cliffs, however, says they haven't broken any terms. 

Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Toronto Star business reporter Josh Rubin to breakdown the timeline of the Stelco drama, what legal action Ottawa could actually take against the steel giant, and whether or not the jobs lost are a chip within a complicated trade relationship.

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"Masters of our Destiny"

The title of Mark Carney's second federal budget since becoming Prime Minister. It outlines paths to build stronger Canadian sovereignty, including new spending to help at the grocery store, funding for local journalism, culture, and an ambitious goal to end homelessness—but it comes with a hefty price tag.  

Host Maria Kestane speaks with Craig Lord, a reporter and editor specializing in economics at The Canadian Press, about the message the government is trying to send with this budget, and how we're going to pay for it all.

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Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show "In This Economy?!" Just a few days after a U.S. midterm that ended with heavy losses for U.S. President Donald Trump's Republican party, many Canadians are hoping the new Democratic congress might be able to put a check on Trump's tariff agenda. The levies have helped to re-define trade across the border, and put tremendous pressure on Canadian businesses, no matter the size.

Host Mike Eppel is speaking with Steve Freedman, the owner and President of The Chesterfield Shop, a small business in Toronto, about how the trade war has affected his company, and whether he takes any hope from this week's elections. 

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The Blue Tsunami is starting to sink in for the U.S. G.O.P. who suffered a devastating loss in the midterms this week. Not only did the Democrats take control of Congress, they were able to successfully flip quintessential red states such as Texas, Maine and Kansas. 

The question remains though, what is left of Trump's Republicans? Now that he essentially failed the referendum, the future of his power and party seems to be more unclear than ever.

Host Caryn Ceolin welcomes back Aaron Rupar, publisher of the Public Notice newsletter to discuss where the reigning Democrats go from here, and how the Republicans will pick up the pieces. 

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