The Big Story

On this special edition of the Big Story, we're shining a light on cold cases across Canada.  The podcast, Tracking a Killer: the Cold Case files is hosted by Fil Martino and Madison Fitzpatrick.  They recently released season 3 of the show so we're teaming up to try to help families find not only justice, but peace.    

21-year-old Patrick Santos’ body was found in the backyard of his father’s Scarborough, Ontario home on September 17, 2006. His hands and feet were bound and tape was wrapped around his head. Police say he had been beaten and suffocated. His mother is looking for answers all these years later and still seeks justice for her son. 

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The "buy Canada" movement remains strong in the wake of tariffs levied against Canada, with more being tariffs reportedly on the way. 

So how far would you go to buy Canadian? 

Host Mike Eppel speaks to retail analyst Bruce Winder about economic show of patriotism and whether or not it's sustainable in this economy. 

We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:

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It sounds duller than watching paint dry, but an issue called "supply management" is one of the key factors in Donald Trump's tariff decision.  

Trump has criticized Canada’s protected agriculture industries for years, and now he’s been pointing to supply management in the dairy sector as one of the reasons for his tariff threats.

 What is the decades-old policy that manages how much dairy product is produced in Canada? And why does Trump care about it?

Host David Smith gets a lesson in agriculture production and trade policy from The Food Professor, Sylvain Charlebois, Director of the Agrifood Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University.

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President Trump's threats of massive tariffs on Canadian goods has sparked a lot of fear about what a trade war would mean for our country.

Economists predict that the 25% tariffs on our goods would plunge the country into recession by the summer, but some communities will be hit harder than others.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has now compiled a list of 41 cities across the country and rated just how vulnerable or cushioned they may be to tariffs from the U.S.

Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with Matthew Holmes, Executive Vice President and Chief of Public Policy at the Chamber about which cities will be hit hardest and which ones may fare better than others.

We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:

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A month ago, the federal Liberals were in the basement of Canadian politics, trailing the Conservatives by close to 30% in public opinion polls.  

But a month is a long time in politics, and the fortunes for the Liberal party have seen a stunning reversal in a short amount of time.  

Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with Mount Royal University Political Scientist Duane Bratt, about how the Trump effect is having an impact on Canadian politics, how the Conservatives are pivoting to try and maintain their lead, and what this may mean for the timing of the next federal election.

We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:

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In the face of a possible trade war, Canadians are increasingly supportive of plans to reduce our reliance on the U.S. as a trading partner.  

That includes politically sensitive industries, like oil and gas and politically sensitive projects like pipelines.

New national polling shows Canadians are increasingly open to reviving pipeline projects that were abandoned in the late-2010s.  Yes, even in Quebec.

But what about the environment and other concerns?  

 Host David Smith speaks with Jon Roe, research associate with the Angus Reid Institute, about this latest shift in public opinion in response to the U.S. tariff threat.

We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:

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We're seeing a rise in Canadian pride generally only seen during the Olympics.  

The ‘Buy Canadian’  movement continues to gather steam – brought on by the threat of U.S. tariffs.

Host Kris McCusker spoke to Dr. Joanne McNeish, Associate Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, about how the trend happened and why you need to be diligent when read when reading product labels.

We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:

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Jeanne Beker's name is synonymous with all things fabulous and fashionable.  

But the last few years have brought in a different focus.  

Today, the author and TV personality has a new role that's far away from her glamorous life in fashion and entertainment:

breast cancer survivor and patient advocate.

Host Fil Martino speaks to Jeanne Beker about her journey and her outlook on the other side of her breast cancer battle. 

We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:

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Is anything making sense anymore in this economy?  

Between the ping-ponging markets, the on and off tariffs and the latest economic data, the week's been far from boring.

To make sense of it all, host Mike Eppel speaks with Pedro Antunes, Chief Economist at the Conference Board of Canada.  

We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:

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Work, home. Work, home.  

For many, days go back and forth like a ping pong match. That’s why when we have the reprieve of something outside the cycle, like a regular coffee meet-up or a book club at a neighbour’s house, things just feel better.  

We transport to a place where we can relax and be ourselves. However, the importance of this physical space to our well-being is often underestimated.  

Host Melanie Ng speaks with Roxanne Francis, a psychotherapist, coach and consultant, about the importance of having a ‘third place’ and why our happiness depends on it. 

We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:

Through email at [email protected]

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