Elias Makos is kicks off the week with Jonathan Kalles, Vice President at McMillan Vantage, a national public affairs firm, and former advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, 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.
Hamas has officially released the 20 remaining living hostages held in Gaza while Israel began releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners as part of a ceasefire pausing two years of war.
China's ambassador to Canada says his country will remove its tariffs on Canadian agriculture, including on canola products, if Canada scraps its levies on Chinese electric vehicles.
The Blue Jays lost the first game of their American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners last night

Elias Makos is kicks off the week with Jonathan Kalles, Vice President at McMillan Vantage, a national public affairs firm, and former advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and&nbsp;Neil Drabkin, is a lawyer who served as federal prosecutor and a political commentator who was a chief of staff in the Harper government.
<ul>
<li>Hamas has officially released the 20 remaining living hostages held in Gaza while Israel began releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners as part of a ceasefire pausing two years of war.</li>
<li>China's ambassador to Canada says his country will remove its tariffs on Canadian agriculture, including on canola products, if Canada scraps its levies on Chinese electric vehicles.</li>
<li>The Blue Jays lost the first game of their American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners last night</li>
</ul>

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.

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.

The Big Five Podcast

The latest audio and podcasts from CJAD 800 Montreal.

The latest audio and podcasts from CJAD 800 Montreal.

CJAD 800 - The Latest Audio and Podcasts

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.

The Big Five

Hamas releases the hostages. Plus: Should Canada dump its tariffs on Chinese EVs?

Paul Gott, Lead singer and guitarist for Montreal Punk Rock band the Ripcordz and a journalism professor at Concordia, 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.
Christian Dubé has resigned from his position as Quebec’s Minister of Health and will sit as an independent MNA.
In his year-end interviews, François Legault says that once Quebecers realize the PQ is dead serious about a referendum, their lead in the polls will evaporate. Is he right?
Quebecers bought less alcohol, but paid more for it this year. 
How would you recap 2025?

Paul Gott, Lead singer and guitarist for Montreal Punk Rock band the Ripcordz and a journalism professor at Concordia, and&nbsp;Akil Alleyne, Reporter and commentator with extensive experience analysing legal, political, and social issues and Manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program.
<ul>
<li>Christian Dub&eacute; has resigned from his position as Quebec&rsquo;s Minister of Health and will sit as an independent MNA.</li>
<li>In his year-end interviews, Fran&ccedil;ois Legault says that once Quebecers realize the PQ is dead serious about a referendum, their lead in the polls will evaporate. Is he right?</li>
<li>Quebecers bought less alcohol, but paid more for it this year.&nbsp;</li>
<li>How would you recap 2025?</li>
</ul>

The province is selling less booze, but you’re paying more for it. Plus: “Radar on steroids” comes to Quebec.

Elias Makos is joined by Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance, and Sue Smith is a Montreal journalist and broadcaster.
With Pablo Rodriguez out as leader, rumours are already swirling surrounding who will replace him. 
Three thousand dollars worth of food was stolen from a Metro grocery store on Monday in the Plateau. A group called Robins des ruelles says they are the ones responsible for the theft and posted an image of some of the stolen goods underneath a Christmas Tree in Parc Valois.
Montreal is making it easier to live in tents along Notre-Dame Street. According to La Presse, the city will install trailers in the area starting early next year, allowing homeless people living in tents to keep warm and access basic amenities. 
Hockey Canada and Curling Canada say they have no plans to follow Skate Canada’s lead when it comes to future events in Alberta. 

Elias Makos is joined by Caroline Codsi, Founder &amp; Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance, and&nbsp;Sue Smith is a Montreal journalist and broadcaster.
<ul>
<li>With Pablo Rodriguez out as leader, rumours are already swirling surrounding who will replace him.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Three thousand dollars worth of food was stolen from a Metro grocery store on Monday in the Plateau. A group called Robins des ruelles says they are the ones responsible for the theft and posted an image of some of the stolen goods underneath a Christmas Tree in Parc Valois.</li>
<li>Montreal is making it easier to live in tents along Notre-Dame Street. According to La Presse, the city will install trailers in the area starting early next year, allowing homeless people living in tents to keep warm and access basic amenities.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Hockey Canada and Curling Canada say they have no plans to follow Skate Canada&rsquo;s lead when it comes to future events in Alberta.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

What’s next for the Quebec Liberal Party? Plus: Santa robs a grocery store in the Plateau.

Elias Makos is joined by Meeker Guerrier, Commentator at Noovo and RDS, and Justine McIntyre, Strategic consultant and former city councillor.
Quebec Liberal Party Leader Pablo Rodriguez steps down
Canada’s national figure skating body is blacklisting Alberta — saying the province is off-limits for major competitions because of its new law on transgender athletes.
Laval wants to abandon its municipal policy on public art.

Elias Makos is joined by Meeker Guerrier, Commentator at Noovo and RDS, and&nbsp;Justine McIntyre, Strategic consultant and former city councillor.
<ul>
<li>Quebec Liberal Party Leader Pablo Rodriguez steps down</li>
<li>Canada&rsquo;s national figure skating body is blacklisting Alberta &mdash; saying the province is off-limits for major competitions because of its new law on transgender athletes.</li>
<li>Laval wants to abandon its municipal policy on public art.</li>
</ul>

Hamas releases the hostages. Plus: Should Canada dump its tariffs on Chinese EVs?

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