The Big Story

It can -- but the better question might be: Is it something that could be used against you? The technology does exist to use a sample to create a sketch of a person's face, but there are doubts about its accuracy, and how much value it provides.But that hasn't stopped police from taking these sketches and running them through facial recognition software. Searching for ... someone who looks like the a drawing a computer made when it was given your DNA? Welcome to the next level of investigative technology. As you might imagine, the experts have concerns...GUEST: Dhruv Mehrotra, staff writer at WIRED 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

When Toronto's mayor presented her budget on Wednesday, the city's police services got everything they had asked for, with Olivia Chow retreating from her original plans to fund a smaller increase. Across Canada, police budgets continue to increase by millions of dollars per year, as the associations representing the police effectively lobby politicians and the public—often with vague warnings about rising crime and public safety.So let's look at the numbers. What is the correlation between police spending and crime rates? Why do police say it's taking them longer to respond to calls? Will more officers actually improve the force's efficiency? And ... is crime, including car thefts, really spiking in Canada right now?GUEST: Ted Rutland, associate professor at Concordia University, research focusing on policing in Canada. 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 sociology professor delves into the comprehensive and intimate Canadian sex survey in her new book, revealing intriguing data on who, when, and how often Canadians get down. Topics include the comparison of Canadian and American sexual behavior, taboos around senior citizens' sex lives, the impact of feminist identity on sexuality, and the gender gap in orgasms in heterosexual relationships.

A tech expert shares his personal scam experience, highlighting the universal vulnerability to scams. The evolution of scam tactics and the blurred lines between scammers and legitimate institutions are discussed. The chapter also explores Swiss cheese security in information security and the risks of AI in fraud.

With small business insolvencies at record levels and pandemic relief loans coming due, the future of Canada's independent businesses is uncertain. The podcast explores the challenges faced by small businesses, the government's refusal to extend loan repayment deadlines, and the impact of businesses closing on our neighborhoods. The episode highlights the various government programs implemented during the pandemic, the concerns and low optimism among small business owners, and the importance of preserving small businesses with government action and community support.

Kacey and her partner just welcomed a new baby girl into their lives. And with this bundle of joy has also  come a ton of new expenses.Jordan talks to money expert and mom of two, Melissa Leong, to find out how new parents are making it work.  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 would have to be quite the drug, right? Actually, no. While these are real health problems, with many of the impacts of a chronic physical illness, the fix isn't a new pharmaceutical. It's a new approach to a cure as old as society itself—social interaction with one's community.The problem is, lots of people who struggle with isolation might not have the means or ability to simply get out and do it. That's where the prescriptions come in...GUEST: Sonia Hsiung, director, Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing 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

Exploring Canada's role in a chaotic world, the podcast delves into the country's historical peacekeeping legacy and its relevance today. With a focus on adapting to global changes, the discussion highlights the challenges and importance of defining a strong foreign policy. The evolving landscape, Canada's international reputation, and the need for consistency in decision-making are also key points of interest.

The podcast explores the increasing ideological split between young men and women, discussing its origins, implications, and the potential consequences of political polarization. They delve into the causes, effects, and political ramifications of this divide, examine the amplification of extreme views on social media, and explore potential solutions to bridge the gap. The episode ends with a gratitude message from the host.

In much of the world, fertility rates are falling—but very few countries have seen theirs fall as far and as fast as Canada. With just 1.33 children per woman, we're not close to a stable level, meaning that without immigration Canada's population will decline.Why aren't Canadians having more kids? Do we need to? How did fertility rate become such a polarizing statistic? And if we did want Canadians to have more children, what could we do?GUEST: Don Kerr, Demographer, Kings University College at Western University; formerly Statistics Canada 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