The Big Story

The podcast delves into the recent increase in Canada's carbon tax, discussing its impact on consumers and the ongoing controversy. It explores the political strategies and policy proposals surrounding the carbon tax, as well as the challenges faced by the Liberal government. The episode also covers the history of the carbon tax debate, public perception, and the importance of effective communication in shaping the narrative.

Discover the battle for interoperability in the digital age, from exclusive tractor parts to Apple's universal charger. Hear how regulations are shaping technology standards and the fight for consumer choice. Explore the value of open ecosystems and the importance of open-source technologies in promoting innovation and fair competition.

Maple syrup isn't just a staple of Canadian culture. It's big business, especially in Quebec, where the sugary liquid is so vital to the economy that the province keeps a special syrup reserve on hand to control price fluctuations.Except that reserve is running low, dangerously low, after a couple of warm winters coupled with increased demand ate up most of the excess. And with climate change bringing even warmer winters in the years to come, the syrup industry is on alert. Is this a challenge to be overcome with ingenuity, or a crisis in the heart of syrup country?GUEST: Warren Mabee, director of the Queen's Institute for Energy and Environmental Policy at Queen's University 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

Frozen bank accounts, financial chaos, job loss, poverty. Those are all things Gonzalo witnessed while living through the largest foreign default in world history. Other than putting our current financial crisis into perspective, he wants to know if there’s anything we can learn from living through challenging times.Jordan speaks with David Coletto, founder and CEO of Abacus Data, and Tanya Woods, Head of Government and Regulatory Affairs and Policy Council at Questrade Financial Group, to find an answer.Do you have a money problem? Call us and leave a message at 416-935-5935. Or email us at hello@itepod.ca. You can also find us on Instagram and TikTok @InThisEconomyPod. Don't forget to leave a call-back number, so we can get in touch. 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

It's time again for us to dip into our trove of listener emails and voicemails and share with you some of our favourite pieces of feedback we received over the past month or so.A special thanks to everyone who's taken the time to tell us how you feel. Even if your submission didn't make it into this episode, please keep writing and calling in. Your input helps us make the show better. Have a great long weekend!   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

Explore the Ontario government's failed attempt to cap pay increases for public workers, resulting in a $6 billion cost to taxpayers. Dive into the legal challenges, protests, and implications of repealing Bill 124. Understand the financial impact on the government budget and the contentious exemptions for certain public sector workers.

Exploring the deceptive green practices of big corporations and the challenges consumers face in distinguishing genuine environmental initiatives from deceptive marketing tactics. Investigating false green claims by companies like Shell and the Competition Bureau's criteria for eco-certification validity. Environmental groups stepping up with complaints against greenwashing to ensure transparency in environmental claims and meet consumer expectations.

Delving into how Loblaw expanded from a grocery store to a retail behemoth in Canada, the podcast explores market dominance, monopoly concerns, and the controversial influence of Galen Weston Jr. It raises questions about government regulation, corporate reputation, and the challenges of addressing monopolies and oligopolies in essential industries.

We all know that companies track what we do on work devices. If, for example, you're listening to this show right now on a company phone or laptop, your boss could probably find that out, assuming they wanted to.But he’s where it gets darker: your boss might not have to bother finding out. An AI-driven worker surveillance program may be logging everything you do, completely automatically. And then judging your performance based on whatever it's been told to look for...GUEST: Valerio de Stefano, Canada Research Chair in Innovation, Law and Society 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

Netflix. Disney+. Prime. Apple TV+. Spotify. Newspapers. Magazines. Video games. Substacks. A secret caller (hint: you know him!) has a minor subscription addiction and needs help getting his spending under control. Jordan asks Barry Hertz, Deputy Arts Editor and Film Editor for The Globe and Mail, to explain the subscription boom we're living in, and learn a few tips to avoid high fees. Do you have a money problem? Call us and leave a message at 416-935-5935. Or email us at hello@itepod.ca. You can also find us on Instagram and TikTok @InThisEconomyPod. Don't forget to leave a call-back number, so we can get in touch. 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