Elias Makos is joined by Andrew Caddell, columnist for the Hill Times and President of the Task Force on Linguistic policy. & Sue Smith, a Montreal journalist and broadcaster. 

Among the topics discussed were
After facing pressure from the opposition, Chrystia Freeland has announced that she will be resigning as MP on Friday.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to travel to China for four days starting Tuesday next week to meet with President Xi Jinping.
Quebec public servants do not want to go back to the office three days a week
The Trump administration has rewritten the rules on alcohol — without saying how much is too much.

Elias Makos is joined by Andrew Caddell, columnist for the Hill Times and President of the Task Force on Linguistic policy. &amp;&nbsp;Sue Smith, a Montreal journalist and broadcaster.&nbsp;
Among the topics discussed were
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/article/chrystia-freeland-to-resign-as-mp-friday-amid-opposition-pressure/">After facing pressure from the opposition, Chrystia Freeland has announced that she will be resigning as MP on Friday.</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/article/carney-to-visit-china-next-week/">Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to travel to China for four days starting Tuesday next week to meet with President Xi Jinping.</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2026/01/08/moins-de-teletravail--les-fonctionnaires-anticipent-une-baisse-de-productivite-et-des-demissions">Quebec public servants do not want to go back to the office three days a week</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">The Trump administration has rewritten the rules on alcohol &mdash; without saying how much is too much.</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

Quebec’s public servants warn they could become even less productive. Plus: How much alcohol are you drinking?

Elias Makos caps the week off with Trudie Mason, veteran newscaster at CJAD 800, and Andrew Caddell, columnist for the Hill Times and President of the Task Force on Linguistic policy.
Game two between the Montreal Canadiens and the Buffalo Sabres is tonight. Montreal lost game one of the best of seven series on Wednesday. Do you think the team will bounce back tonight?
 Ethics Commissioner Ariane Mignolet has found that former liberal MP Sona Lahkoyan Olivier violated two sections of the National Assembly's code of ethics. 
Independent MNA Youri Chassin blocked a fast-tracked plan to redraw Quebec’s electoral map. The proposal would have saved ridings in the Gaspé and Montreal’s east end from disappearing, while adding two new seats in faster-growing regions — increasing the number of MNAs from 125 to 127.
Santé Quebec has sent a list of banned words and phrases that doctors cannot say to their patients about the digital health record project.
Alberta separatists have submitted their referendum petition that would ask Albertans if the province should leave Canada.
President Donald Trump says he works out ‘one minute a day.’

Elias Makos caps the week off with Trudie Mason, veteran newscaster at CJAD 800, and Andrew Caddell, columnist for the Hill Times and President of the Task Force on Linguistic policy.
<ul>
<li>Game two between the Montreal Canadiens and the Buffalo Sabres is tonight. Montreal lost game one of the best of seven series on Wednesday. Do you think the team will bounce back tonight?</li>
<li>&nbsp;Ethics Commissioner Ariane Mignolet has found that former liberal MP Sona Lahkoyan Olivier violated two sections of the National Assembly's code of ethics.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Independent MNA Youri Chassin blocked a fast-tracked plan to redraw Quebec&rsquo;s electoral map. The proposal would have saved ridings in the Gasp&eacute; and Montreal&rsquo;s east end from disappearing, while adding two new seats in faster-growing regions &mdash; increasing the number of MNAs from 125 to 127.</li>
<li>Sant&eacute; Quebec has sent a list of banned words and phrases that doctors cannot say to their patients about the digital health record project.</li>
<li>Alberta separatists have submitted their referendum petition that would ask Albertans if the province should leave Canada.</li>
<li>President Donald Trump says he works out &lsquo;one minute a day.&rsquo;</li>
</ul>

The McGill College Park is put on hold Plus: It took but one MNA to block a plan to redraw Quebec’s electoral map

Elias Makos welcomes back political analyst Karim Boulos, and Dan Delmar, Co-founder of the content marketing firm TNKR Media and co-host of the podcast Inspiring Entrepreneurs Canada.
 The CAQ government has tabled legislation to renew the notwithstanding clause protecting Bill 96 until 2031, and French Language Minister Jean‑François Roberge is using the moment to launch a full-scale attack on the Quebec Liberals.
The battle to secure the headquarters of the future Defence, Security and Resilience Bank is already shaping up to be a tough one between Montreal and Toronto, two of the four Canadian cities vying for the prize. And Toronto is already playing the Referendum card.
An elementary school in the Lanaudière region has decided to set up its own version of fight club.
A Montreal Police officer who also moonlights as a real estate broker has received a 5-month suspension and a $30,000 fine.

Elias Makos welcomes back political analyst Karim Boulos, and&nbsp;Dan Delmar, Co-founder of the content marketing firm TNKR Media and co-host of the podcast Inspiring Entrepreneurs Canada.
<ul>
<li>&nbsp;The CAQ government has tabled legislation to renew the notwithstanding clause protecting Bill 96 until 2031, and French Language Minister Jean‑Fran&ccedil;ois Roberge is using the moment to launch a full-scale attack on the Quebec Liberals.</li>
<li>The battle to secure the headquarters of the future Defence, Security and Resilience Bank is already shaping up to be a tough one between Montreal and Toronto, two of the four Canadian cities vying for the prize. And Toronto is already playing the Referendum card.</li>
<li>An elementary school in the Lanaudi&egrave;re region has decided to set up its own version of fight club.</li>
<li>A Montreal Police officer who also moonlights as a real estate broker has received a 5-month suspension and a $30,000 fine.</li>
</ul>

Toronto plays dirty, pulls the referendum card on Montreal. Plus: Should your child’s school have a fight club?

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.
The Montreal Canadiens begin their second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs tonight against the Buffalo Sabres.
Nearly 370 thousand people left the emergency room without seeing a doctor last year in the province.
Telus is using artificial intelligence to disguise the voice of its customer service agents.
The federal government says it is ready to draft legislation to pause the expansion of medical assistance in dying to people whose sole condition is mental illness.

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>The Montreal Canadiens begin their second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs tonight against the Buffalo Sabres.</li>
<li>Nearly 370 thousand people left the emergency room without seeing a doctor last year in the province.</li>
<li>Telus is using artificial intelligence to disguise the voice of its customer service agents.</li>
<li>The federal government says it is ready to draft legislation to pause the expansion of medical assistance in dying to people whose sole condition is mental illness.</li>
</ul>

Quebec’s public servants warn they could become even less productive. Plus: How much alcohol are you drinking?

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