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.

On today's Big 5: Daniel Tran, political analyst and former municipal economic development advisor, and Sue Smith, Montreal journalist and broadcaster.

• With three days left, party leaders are playing intense defence in traditionally safe ridings like Orford and Maurice-Richard.
• Projection site route127.ca shows the CAQ in danger of a near-total wipeout on Monday, potentially saving only Bernard Drainville's riding.
• Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime abandoned plans for a language policy, arguing voters have moved past French vs. English squabbles.
• A scathing Toronto Star column details allegations that Mark Carney's inner circle is completely sidelining traditional cabinet power.
• The Parliamentary Budget Officer released a staggering new report pegging the Alto high-speed rail costs at one hundred and thirteen billion dollars.
• McDonald's denied allegations that it relies on hidden artificial intelligence algorithms to implement localized surge pricing for Big Macs.