Location:
United States
Description:
The Big Five is the quintessential Montreal podcast, and the best way to get caught up on the top stories impacting the city. Every weekday, host Elias Makos and a roster of Montreal thought leaders debate and inform.
Language:
English
Website:
http://www.cjad800.com
Episodes
Should Canada cozy up to China? Plus: Return policies and criminal justice.
7/16/2025
Akil Alleyne, Reporter and commentator with extensive experience analysing legal, political, and social issues and Manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program, and Anthony Koch, Former National Spokesperson for Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and current managing principal at AK Strategies.
Duration:00:24:06
Does Montreal's newest political party have enough time? Plus: Should Canada tap the brakes on immigration?
7/15/2025
Elias Makos is joined by Paul Gott, Lead singer and guitarist for Montreal Punk Rock band the Ripcordz and a journalism professor at Concordia, and Justine McIntyre, Strategic consultant and former city councillor.
Duration:00:23:25
What’s better, city life or country life? Plus: Mark Carney confirms he’s a walking conflict-of-interest.
7/14/2025
Elias Makos begins the week with guests Gabriel Retta, is a Montrealer active in politics and government service at all three levels for the last 20 years and currently serving as Chief of Staff to the Official Opposition at Montreal City Hall, and Jimmy Zoubris, special advisor to the Mayor.
Duration:00:24:23
More threats from Donald Trump. Plus: How many billionaires are there in Quebec?
7/11/2025
Elias Makos ends the week with Meeker Guerrier, Commentator at Noovo and RDS, and Political analyst Karim Boulos.
Duration:00:25:55
Montreal Public Health thinks more booze in more places is a bad idea. Plus: The South Shore restaurant that charges for water.
7/10/2025
Elias Makos is joined by Neil Drabkin, is a lawyer who served as federal prosecutor and a political commentator who was a chief of staff in the Harper government, and Sue Smith is a Montreal journalist and broadcaster.
Duration:00:24:01
How’s that Amazon boycott going? Plus: Banning pitbulls & fireworks.
7/9/2025
Elias Makos welcomes back Akil Alleyne, Reporter and commentator with extensive experience analysing legal, political, and social issues and Manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program, and Catherine Hogan, high school teacher at Westwood Senior High in Hudson.
Duration:00:24:04
Get ready for budget cuts and tax hikes, Canada. Plus: More Canadians being held by ICE.
7/8/2025
Elias Makos is joined by Justine McIntyre, Strategic consultant and former city councillor, and Raphaël Melançon, a political analyst for Noovo and CTV Montreal News at 5. He is also the president and founder of Trafalgar Strategies.
Duration:00:33:39
Is it time to raise the GST? Plus: A Quebec judge throws the book at road rage.
7/7/2025
Elias Makos kicks the week off with Christina Chough, Chair of the modern languages department at Dawson College, and Paul Gott, Lead singer and guitarist for Montreal Punk Rock band the Ripcordz and a journalism professor at Concordia.
Duration:00:26:06
Smoking, drinking, gambling… and being American. Plus: Montrealer win lottery
7/4/2025
Elias Makos is joined by Anthony Koch, former national spokesperson for Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and current managing principal at AK Strategies and Akil Alleyne, reporter and commentator with extensive experience analysing legal, political, and social issues and Manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program on The Big 5.
Duration:00:25:00
Get ready for the ‘Worst cuts in modern history.’ Plus: The worst neighbor ever might live in Laval.
7/3/2025
Elias Makos is joined by Caroline Codsi, founder & chief equity officer, Women in Governance and Sue Smith, a Montreal journalist and broadcaster on The Big 5.
Duration:00:23:42
A criminal record won’t stop you from entering Canada. Plus: Five years after being toppled, Sir. John A. Macdonald’s statue is still decapitated.
7/2/2025
Elias Makos is joined by Andrew Caddell, a town councillor in Kamouraska, and President of the Task Force on Linguistic policy and Neil Drabkin, is a lawyer who served as federal prosecutor and a political commentator who was a chief of staff in the Harper government on The Big 5.
Duration:00:24:06
What does it mean to be Canadian? Plus: How Donald Trump has reshaped Canada
7/1/2025
Elias Makos is joined by Dan Delmar, co-founder of the PR and content firm TNKR Media and Caryma Sa’d, lawyer sole practice and Journalist independent / freelancer based in Toronto on a National Edition of the Big 5.
Duration:00:29:07
Is Canada capitulating to Donald Trump? Plus: Does Tim Hortons owe everyone a boat?
6/30/2025
Elias Makos is joined by Jimmy Zoubris, special advisor to the Mayor and Raphaël Melançon, a political analyst for Noovo and CTV Montreal News at 5. He is also the president and founder of Trafalgar Strategies on The Big 5.
Duration:00:24:42
A bad omen for the government’s plan to build more homes. Plus: Do we swear too much?
6/27/2025
Elias Makos is joined by Anthony Koch, Former National Spokesperson for Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and current managing principal at AK Strategies and Political analyst Karim Boulos on The Big 5.
Duration:00:24:29
The rent is too darn high in Montreal. Plus: Is Canada more like Europe or the United States?
6/26/2025
Elias Makos is joined by Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance and Akil Alleyne, Reporter and commentator with extensive experience analysing legal, political, and social issues and Manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program on The Big 5.
Duration:00:23:48
Canada commits to massive NATO defence spending. Plus: Be prepared to be blackmailed by Artificial Intelligence.
6/25/2025
Elias Makos is joined by Paul Gott, lead singer and guitarist for montreal punk rock band The Ripcordz and a journalism professor at Concordia and Jonathan Kalles, Vice President at McMillan Vantage, a national public affairs firm, and former advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Duration:00:23:51
Happy Fête Nationale. Plus: Donald Trump swears when talking to reporters.
6/24/2025
Dan Delmar, in for Elias Makos, is joined by Meeker Guerrier, Commentator at Noovo and RDS and Gabriel Retta, a Montrealer active in politics and government service at all three levels for the last 20 years on The Big 5.
Duration:00:31:56
US unleashes an airstrike on Iran's nuclear plants. Plus: Should school be open or closed in extreme heat?
6/23/2025
Dan Delmar, in for Elias, is joined by Jimmy Zoubris, special advisor to the Mayor and Justine McIntyre, strategic consultant and former city councillor on The Big 5.
Duration:00:32:22
European ministers are meeting today with Iran’s foreign minister. Plus: Calling for an end to Montreal-Trudeau Airport’s monopoly on international flights
6/20/2025
Sue Smith ends the week with Anthony Koch, Former National Spokesperson for Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and current managing principal at AK Strategies, and Akil Alleyne, Reporter and commentator with extensive experience analysing legal, political, and social issues and Manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program.
Duration:00:23:31
A three year old missing toddler was found alive after three days alone in Ontario. Plus: Bill C-5 is drawing sharp criticism
6/19/2025
Sue Smith is joined by Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance, and Jonathan Kalles, Vice President at McMillan Vantage, a national public affairs firm, and former advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Duration:00:23:55