Elias Makos welcomes in Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist and former special advisor to Valerie Plante, and Paul Gott, Lead singer and guitarist for Montreal Punk Rock band the Ripcordz and a journalism professor at Concordia.
“Montreal’s Olympic Stadium started 2026 the same way it began the 1976 Games: under construction and without a roof.”
Despite Montreal’s size and appetite for the FIFA World Cup, we will be sitting on the sidelines
The Quebec Liberal Party leadership race kicks off today
New evidence suggests that political pressure is cratering overdose deaths.

Elias Makos welcomes in Jimmy Zoubris, Montreal businessman, longtime activist and former special advisor to Valerie Plante, and Paul Gott, Lead singer and guitarist for Montreal Punk Rock band the Ripcordz and a journalism professor at Concordia.
<ul>
<li>&ldquo;Montreal&rsquo;s Olympic Stadium started 2026 the same way it began the 1976 Games: under construction and without a roof.&rdquo;</li>
<li>Despite Montreal&rsquo;s size and appetite for the FIFA World Cup, we will be sitting on the sidelines</li>
<li>The Quebec Liberal Party leadership race kicks off today</li>
<li>New evidence suggests that political pressure is cratering overdose deaths.</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 Montreal have World Cup regrets? Plus: 50 years of the Big O.

Elias Makos is joined by Dan Delmar, Co-founder of the content marketing firm TNKR Media and co-host of the podcast Inspiring Entrepreneurs Canada & Lionel Perez, Former city councillor and former leader of the Official Opposition at Montreal City Hall

Among the topics discussed were
Montreal’s police chief, Fady Dagher, says the mental health and homelessness situation in the city is getting worse
The province’s largest health care facilities have spent over $50 million on security guards last year
An Ontario court has ruled that a city’s municipal bylaw on lawns violates a citizen’s Charter right to Freedom of Expression

Elias Makos is joined by Dan Delmar, Co-founder of the content marketing firm TNKR Media and co-host of the podcast Inspiring Entrepreneurs Canada &amp;&nbsp;Lionel Perez, Former city councillor and former leader of the Official Opposition at Montreal City Hall
Among the topics discussed were
<ul>
<li>Montreal&rsquo;s police chief, Fady Dagher, says the mental health and homelessness situation in the city is getting worse</li>
<li>The province&rsquo;s largest health care facilities have spent over $50 million on security guards last year</li>
<li>An Ontario court has ruled that a city&rsquo;s municipal bylaw on lawns violates a citizen&rsquo;s Charter right to Freedom of Expression</li>
</ul>

Montreal’s police chief says things are getting worse. Plus: Your charter-protected right to tall grass and weeds

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>

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

Elias Makos is joined by Raphaël Melançon, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, columnist for the Montreal Gazette, and president and founder of Trafalgar Strategies & Justine McIntyre, Strategic consultant and former city councillor

Among the topics discussed were
If you were in Greenland, how much would the U.S. have to pay you to become an American? What about if he wanted to buy Quebec?
Charles Milliard officially launched his leadership campaign yesterday and the youth are already supporting him.
Is Trudeau a good airport or a bad airport?

Elias Makos is joined by Rapha&euml;l Melan&ccedil;on, political analyst for CTV Montreal and CJAD 800, columnist for the Montreal Gazette, and president and founder of Trafalgar Strategies &amp; Justine McIntyre, Strategic consultant and former city councillor
Among the topics discussed were
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">If you were in Greenland, how much would the U.S. have to pay you to become an American? What about if he wanted to buy Quebec?</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/2026-01-07/course-a-la-direction-du-plq/200-jeunes-liberaux-se-rangent-derriere-charles-milliard.php?sharing=true">Charles Milliard officially launched his leadership campaign yesterday and the youth are already supporting him.</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Is Trudeau a good airport or a bad airport?</li>
</ul>

Should Montreal have World Cup regrets? Plus: 50 years of the Big O.

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