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: Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, and columnist for the Montreal Gazette, and Rudy Husny, political analyst and former advisor in the Harper government.

• Premier Christine Fréchette admitted a member of her own campaign leaked the controversial American interference story to reporters before she was personally briefed on it.
• A scathing column in the Journal de Montréal compared Christine Fréchette's struggling campaign to Kim Campbell's historic 1993 conservative collapse.
• PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon faced intense pressure to clarify his position on religious symbols as he pushes for a majority government in the final week.
• Donald Trump's one billion dollar ban on Canadian alcohol, dairy, and motorcycles took effect today while Washington signals it is in no rush to negotiate.
• The NHL season launches tonight under a new broadcast era that completely eliminates free, over-the-air television coverage for hockey games.