Elias Makos welcomes back Akil Alleyne, Reporter and commentator with extensive experience analysing legal, political, and social issues and Manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program, and Catherine Hogan, high school teacher at Westwood Senior High in Hudson.
 Former Amazon workers in Quebec rallied to demand unpaid severance and denounce poor working conditions
Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, have been arrested for allegedly planning to form an anti-government militia
Video footage is circulating of a Montreal police officer shooting a dog that was reportedly being aggressive
Are you for or against fireworks? Some are debating the relevance of fireworks in today’s world.

Elias Makos welcomes back Akil Alleyne, Reporter and commentator with extensive experience analysing legal, political, and social issues and Manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program, and&nbsp;Catherine Hogan, high school teacher at Westwood Senior High in Hudson.
<ul>
<li>&nbsp;Former Amazon workers in Quebec rallied to demand unpaid severance and denounce poor working conditions</li>
<li>Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, have been arrested for allegedly planning to form an anti-government militia</li>
<li>Video footage is circulating of a Montreal police officer shooting a dog that was reportedly being aggressive</li>
<li>Are you for or against fireworks? Some are debating the relevance of fireworks in today&rsquo;s world.</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

How’s that Amazon boycott going? Plus: Banning pitbulls & fireworks.

Elias is joined on this Friday edition of the BIG 5 by Meeker Guerrier, Commentator at Noovo and RDS and Lea Streliski, Best-selling author, comedian and columnist
The White House says it’s about to pull back the curtain on one of the most enduring mysteries in history. President Donald Trump is promising to declassify government files related to UFOs — or what the Pentagon now calls UAPs, unidentified anomalous phenomena.
It’s official, we will have a referendum… in Alberta.
The toonie turned 30 years old this week. Released on February 19, 1996, it was Canada’s first bimetallic coin. What is the best thing you can buy for two dollars in 2026?

Elias is joined on this Friday edition of the BIG 5 by Meeker Guerrier, Commentator at Noovo and RDS and Lea Streliski, Best-selling author, comedian and columnist
<ul>
<li>The White House says it&rsquo;s about to pull back the curtain on one of the most enduring mysteries in history. President Donald Trump is promising to declassify government files related to UFOs &mdash; or what the Pentagon now calls UAPs, unidentified anomalous phenomena.</li>
<li>It&rsquo;s official, we will have a referendum&hellip; in Alberta.</li>
<li>The toonie turned 30 years old this week. Released on February 19, 1996, it was Canada&rsquo;s first bimetallic coin. What is the best thing you can buy for two dollars in 2026?</li>
</ul>

Aliens, referendums, and toonies. Plus: How Canada became poorer than Alabama

Elias Makos is joined by Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance, 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.
Massive reaction and pushback to the story we told you about yesterday - the Quebecker who was awarded $500 after a south shore hair salon didn’t offer a “non-binary” haircut option on its appointment booking website.
A man from Lebanon convicted of possessing fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking was supposed to be deported back in December of 2019.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford had some choice words for students complaining about recent cuts to his province’s student assistance programs: Stop studying in useless fields and focus on an education that gives you a shot at the plethora of in-demand jobs.
Reuters reports that the U.S. Department of State is developing a new online portal — hosted at freedom.gov — that would allow users in Europe and elsewhere to access content banned by their own governments

Elias Makos is joined by Caroline Codsi, Founder &amp; Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance, 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>Massive reaction and pushback to the story we told you about yesterday - the Quebecker who was awarded $500 after a south shore hair salon didn&rsquo;t offer a &ldquo;non-binary&rdquo; haircut option on its appointment booking website.</li>
<li>A man from Lebanon convicted of possessing fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking was supposed to be deported back in December of 2019.</li>
<li>Ontario Premier Doug Ford had some choice words for students complaining about recent cuts to his province&rsquo;s student assistance programs: Stop studying in useless fields and focus on an education that gives you a shot at the plethora of in-demand jobs.</li>
<li>Reuters reports that the U.S. Department of State is developing a new online portal &mdash; hosted at freedom.gov &mdash; that would allow users in Europe and elsewhere to access content banned by their own governments</li>
</ul>

Swift reaction to the Quebec Human Rights Tribunal’s hair salon decision. Plus: Doug Ford takes on the basket weavers.

Elias Makos is joined by Sue Smith is a Montreal journalist and broadcaster, and Justine McIntyre, Strategic consultant and former city councillor.
Radio-Canada reports this morning that Quebec's Human Rights Tribunal has ordered a hair salon to pay $500 to a non-binary person for only offering “men’s” and women’s” haircut options.
Quebec solidaire, slumping in the polls and desperately trying to turn things around, could have a star candidate for the next election. There’s only one problem: He’s a man. 
A Montreal senior is calling for the return of all benches removed inside the Alexis Nihon plaza, saying the change has made daily outings more difficult for people who rely on adapted transport.
Meta is looking to make your social media presence immortal.

Elias Makos is joined by Sue Smith is a Montreal journalist and broadcaster, and&nbsp;Justine McIntyre, Strategic consultant and former city councillor.
<ul>
<li>Radio-Canada reports this morning that Quebec's Human Rights Tribunal has ordered a hair salon to pay $500 to a non-binary person for only offering &ldquo;men&rsquo;s&rdquo; and women&rsquo;s&rdquo; haircut options.</li>
<li>Quebec solidaire, slumping in the polls and desperately trying to turn things around, could have a star candidate for the next election. There&rsquo;s only one problem: He&rsquo;s a man.&nbsp;</li>
<li>A Montreal senior is calling for the return of all benches removed inside the Alexis Nihon plaza, saying the change has made daily outings more difficult for people who rely on adapted transport.</li>
<li>Meta is looking to make your social media presence immortal.</li>
</ul>

How’s that Amazon boycott going? Plus: Banning pitbulls & fireworks.

In 2 playlist(s)

The Big Five

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips