Elias Makos is joined by Jonathan Kalles, Vice President at McMillan Vantage and former advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Meeker Guerrier, Commentator at Noovo and RDS.
Should Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister be replaced? Despite a glamorous profile in The New York Times on Wednesday, there is mounting criticism against Melanie Joly
Quebec is expanding the range of surgeries available in private clinics at no cost to patients
Loto-Québec plans to expand its network of mini-casinos across Quebec

Elias Makos is joined by Jonathan Kalles, Vice President at McMillan Vantage and former advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Meeker Guerrier, Commentator at Noovo and RDS.
<ul>
<li>Should Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister be replaced? Despite a glamorous profile in The New York Times on Wednesday, there is mounting criticism against Melanie Joly</li>
<li>Quebec is expanding the range of surgeries available in private clinics at no cost to patients</li>
<li>Loto-Québec plans to expand its network of mini-casinos across Quebec</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

Should Melanie Joly be booted from foreign affairs? Plus: The expanding role of private clinics in Quebec health care.

Elias was joined on The Big 5 by Neil Drabkin, is a lawyer who served as federal prosecutor and a political commentator who was a chief of staff in the Harper government and Paul Gott, lead singer and guitarist for Montreal Punk Rock band the Ripcordz and a journalism professor at Concordia.

Among the topics discussed by Neil and Paul were
More than 200 thousand homes lost power across the province this morning due to freezing rain. That’s about over 35 thousand in Montreal. The REM is also disrupted between Brossard and Gare Central.
IRIS, the progressive Quebec economic think tank, has a suggestion for how to tackle the province’s gaping deficit, and you’ll never guess what their solution is: higher taxes.
Global News reports that after Carney visits Norway and London, the Canadian delegation will return home without him.
For the First time ever, Canada has made it to the quarter finals of the World Baseball Classic

Elias was joined on The Big 5 by Neil Drabkin, is a lawyer who served as federal prosecutor and a political commentator who was a chief of staff in the Harper government and Paul Gott, lead singer and guitarist for Montreal Punk Rock band the Ripcordz and a journalism professor at Concordia.
Among the topics discussed by Neil and Paul were
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2026/03/11/tempete-de-verglas-plus-de-54-000-pannes-a-travers-le-quebec">More than 200 thousand homes lost power across the province this morning due to freezing rain.</a> That&rsquo;s about over 35 thousand in Montreal. <a href="https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2237781/rem-arret-service-entre-brossard-gare-centrale">The REM is also disrupted between Brossard and Gare Central.</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2026/03/12/32g-de-recettes-supplementaires-liris-propose-de-taxer-les-plus-riches">IRIS, the progressive Quebec economic think tank, has a suggestion for how to tackle the province&rsquo;s gaping deficit, and you&rsquo;ll never guess what their solution is: higher taxes</a>.</li>
<li><a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/11726480/mark-carney-vacation-uk-italy-sources/">Global News reports that after Carney visits Norway and London, the Canadian delegation will return home without him</a>.</li>
<li>For the First time ever, <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/wbc/article/canada-beats-cuba-to-clinch-first-ever-wbc-quarterfinal-berth/">Canada has made it to the quarter finals of the World Baseball Classic</a></li>
</ul>

Montreal’s Icemageddon fails to live up to the hype. Plus: The solution to all of Quebec’s problems is more taxes

Elias Makos is joined by Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance, and Lea Streliski, Best-selling author, comedian and columnist.
Weather experts are saying we should gear up for an ice storm, reminiscent of the one we got back in 2023, that left millions of homes without power
We have another floor crosser. Nunavut NDP MP Lori Idlout will cross the floor to join the Liberals
Final arguments wrapped up on Tuesday during a hearing for an injunction to stop two Quebec men from donating sperm
A worker who developed tendinitis and suffered a ligament tear because she used her cell phone all day to perform her duties is eligible for benefits from the CNESST

Elias Makos is joined by Caroline Codsi, Founder &amp; Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance, and&nbsp;Lea Streliski, Best-selling author, comedian and columnist.
<ul>
<li>Weather experts are saying we should gear up for an ice storm, reminiscent of the one we got back in 2023, that left millions of homes without power</li>
<li>We have another floor crosser. Nunavut NDP MP Lori Idlout will cross the floor to join the Liberals</li>
<li>Final arguments wrapped up on Tuesday during a hearing for an injunction to stop two Quebec men from donating sperm</li>
<li>A worker who developed tendinitis and suffered a ligament tear because she used her cell phone all day to perform her duties is eligible for benefits from the CNESST</li>
</ul>

Montreal prepares for ICEMAGGEDON. Plus: Should a judge stop two Quebec men from donating sperm?

Elias Makos is joined by Political analyst Karim Boulos, and Victor Henriquez, Public affairs and crisis management specialist at Public Strategy and Conseil.
MP’s took part in a debate yesterday evening in the House of Commons about the U.S-Israel war on Iran but one key person was not present for the debate
Canada’s immigration system is facing some tough questions after a tense committee hearing on Parliament Hill
At least 35 thousand asylum claims have been accepted without an in-person hearing since 2019 in Canada
New York Magazine has conducted an informal survey of New Yorkers, asking them how much they make

Elias Makos is joined by Political analyst Karim Boulos, and&nbsp;Victor Henriquez, Public affairs and crisis management specialist at Public Strategy and Conseil.
<ul>
<li>MP&rsquo;s took part in a debate yesterday evening in the House of Commons about the U.S-Israel war on Iran but one key person was not present for the debate</li>
<li>Canada&rsquo;s immigration system is facing some tough questions after a tense committee hearing on Parliament Hill</li>
<li>At least 35 thousand asylum claims have been accepted without an in-person hearing since 2019 in Canada</li>
<li>New York Magazine has conducted an informal survey of New Yorkers, asking them how much they make</li>
</ul>

Should Melanie Joly be booted from foreign affairs? Plus: The expanding role of private clinics in Quebec health care.

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