The Big Story

Plus: Two pilots killed in the Air Canada Jazz plane crash in New York have been identified, TSA security lines in the U.S. continue, most Canadians say they are satisfied with how the government handled the COVID-19 pandemic, and police in Vancouver say a woman fell asleep behind the wheel of a self-driving vehicle We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

A pair of Air Canada pilots were killed as a result of a crash between the plane they were landing at New York's La Guardia airport and a fire truck on one of the runways. And as investigators piece together what led to the crash, the public can't help but try and make sense of what happened with the audio recording of the air traffic controller. This unfolds as more than a dozen airports across the country make space for ICE agents to accompany them at security checkpoints, as a partial government shutdown brings TSA to a slug, and as a result, the rest of the country. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Karl Moore, aviation expert and associate professor at McGill University to discuss the state of air travel across the US, what Canadians need to know amid the DHS shutdown, and how the both the US and Canada need to beef up their air traffic control roster. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Parliament resumes after winter break, and TSA agents will be deployed at airports across the US. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Canada's wealth inequality gap is widening, so much so that the concentration at the top makes up for a large chunk at the bottom. A recent report from Canadians for Tax Fairness and BC Policy Solutions found that 86 billionaire families held as much wealth as Canada’s 6.2 million least wealthy families in 2023.  Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Dylan Dusseault, Executive Director of Patriotic Millionaires Canada, an organization comprised of wealthy Canadians advocating for tax increases on the wealthy to combat extreme inequality. The two discuss why some of Canada's richest individuals believe they should be taxed more to even the playing field, and what kinds of tax code reforms are necessary to narrow the gap. Then, Caryn is joined by Jim Stanford, economist and director of the Centre for Future Work, to break down some of the loopholes rich Canadians are taking advantage of - including capital gains tax preferences. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Dr. Eric Kam, economics professor at Toronto Metropolitan University and macroeconomics commentator. He breaks down how the Middle East war upset markets and why Canada may already be sliding toward recession. Short segments on hidden unemployment, low productivity and weak investment. Conversation about why monetary moves cannot fix supply problems and how Canada could leverage its resource advantage.

Jamie Pulfer, a frontline reporter with on-the-ground coverage, delivers updates on Iran's threats to tourist sites and regional hostilities. He outlines claims about strikes and missile production. He also discusses intercepted drone strikes, oil-market risks if Hormuz is closed, and the wider implications for energy markets.

Sébastien Labelle, Nova Scotian actor and artistic director of Mayworks Kjipuktuk/Halifax, and Tamara Deverell, Canadian production designer and recent Oscar winner, discuss the fallout from provincial arts funding cuts. They talk about protests reaching the Oscars, how grants shaped careers, local cultural losses, economic impacts, and why arts funding matters for communities and tourism.

Coverage of Iran striking energy infrastructure and the ripple effects on global oil markets. U.S. and European reactions, including military warnings and diplomatic refusals. Police stopping planned school attacks in Nova Scotia and Manitoba. Discussions about a Canadian politician’s U.S. appearances and Canada’s drop in World Happiness rankings. Concerns about far-right infiltration in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Dr. David Hofmann, criminologist and scholar of far-right extremism, explains why white supremacists are drawn to military life and how they slip through screening. He discusses whether radicals join already committed or become radicalized after enlistment. The conversation covers where recruitment happens, the limits of vetting, and how the forces respond to identified extremists.

Coverage of alleged high-level Iranian assassinations and tense retaliatory strikes. Discussion of U.S. military options to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Polling shows most Canadians lean toward neutrality while political divides remain. The Bank of Canada keeps rates steady amid global uncertainty. The federal government appeals a ruling on emergency powers. Venezuela celebrates a dramatic baseball victory.